ARLINGTON, Texas — The Kansas City Royals had just one hit through seven innings Thursday night. Even though the top of their lineup strung together three hits in the eighth to get them into the scoring column, it proved too little as they lost to the Texas Rangers 3-1 in the rubber match of a three-game set in front of an announced 14,994 at Globe Life Field.
Royals rookie starting pitcher Jonathan Heasley, a native of nearby Plano, Texas, pitched 3 1/3 innings and left with the bases loaded and the Royals trailing 1-0. He allowed one earned run, four walks and four hits. He struck out just one.
Pitching in his home state of Texas for the first time in his major-league career, Heasley threw 80 pitches despite not having gotten through the fourth inning.
Royals relief pitcher Taylor Clarke gave up a solo home run in the seventh inning.
Rangers starting pitcher Taylor Hearn held the Royals to one hit in five innings. The Royals’ first run came in the eighth inning on a Salvador Perez RBI single.
Rangers cleanup hitter Adolis Garcia tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning as Texas regained the two-run advantage.
Whit Merrifield, Andrew Benintendi, Michael A. Taylor and Ryan O’Hearn (pinch hit) also each had hits for the Royals (10-19).
