How the reeling Royals lost 4th straight game, a series opener at Texas Rangers
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals were shut out 8-0 by the Rangers, their second straight shutout loss.
- Stephen Kolek took the loss after five innings; four first-inning runs (two earned) were.
- MacKenzie Gore threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and earned his fourth win.
The Kansas City Royals’ struggles followed them across state lines in Friday’s series-opening 9-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
And this time there were a few defensive mistakes sprinkled in, as well.
In the first inning, the Rangers took advantage of two key errors. Texas shortstop Ezequiel Duran hit a two-out single to plate two runs, and then the Royals gift-wrapped the Rangers an additional pair.
Texas outfielder Alejandro Osuna reached on Nick Loftin’s throwing error. Loftin threw wildly to first base, pulling Vinnie Pasquantino off the bag. The mistake allowed a run to score and put runners on first and third.
“I mean, you’ve got to convert outs, right?” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Loftin, I felt like just didn’t set his feet with the throw on the run. The ball just sailed on him and Vinnie tried to hang on the bag as long as he could.”
Osuna stole second base and then advanced on another throwing error. This time, Royals catcher Salvador Perez sailed a throw over Loftin, who was covering second base. This allowed Rangers star Evan Carter — who reached with a two-out double — to score.
“They were going to run that steal and stop,” Quatraro said. “I know Salvy heard the third base coach scream, so I think he was trying to either hold up or redirect, and that’s why the ball flew.”
All four first-inning runs, two earned, came against Royals right-handed starter Stephen Kolek.
The Royals (22-35) have now lost four consecutive games and 14 of their last 17.
“Definitely doesn’t set the tone in the right way,” Kolek said of walking the leadoff hitter. “That’s something I can control and it’s not the best way to start a game. So from the get-go, those things happen. And you try to battle through it and not let it affect you.”
Kolek pitched five innings, serving up a two-run homer to Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo. The fifth-inning blast traveled 435 feet, landing in the seats over the right-field wall.
Kolek suffered his first loss of the 2026 season. He was hit hard Friday after tossing a complete-game shutout against the Seattle Mariners last weekend.
“Tough one,” Kolek said. “I didn’t feel super sharp going into it. It was a little unfortunate that first inning, but I just tried to battle through it.”
Before the game was through, former Royals infielder Nicky Lopez would get some revenge against his old teammates. He belted a two-run homer off right-hander Steven Cruz just two days after being signed by the Rangers when veteran Andrew McClutchen was designated for assignment.
Royals’ offense: missing in action
The Royals made a significant change to their batting order ahead of Friday’s game.
Outfielder Lane Thomas batted leadoff and Maikel Garcia dropped to the No. 3 spot.
The goal was to create more traffic on the basepaths. Thomas, who excels against left-handed pitchers, would get an advantageous spot from which to produce and Garcia would have a chance to spark the middle of the order.
The alternate lineup did not produce the desired results on Friday. Garcia recorded two hits, but the Royals couldn’t scratch a run across against Rangers left-handed starter MacKenzie Gore.
“I mean, last year I was hitting everywhere, so it’s nothing new for me,” Garcia said of the change. “So just hitting wherever Q puts me in the lineup. I just want to be there and try to help the team win. A great win for me personally, but we lost. So it doesn’t matter.”
Gore pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings, walking one and striking out three.
“The guys hit the ball hard in the first inning,” Quatraro said. “And I thought throughout the next few innings, the guys competed really well against him. We didn’t have anything to show for it and they (the Rangers) played some really good defense behind him, too.”
KC had an early scoring chance fall by the wayside. In the first inning, Garcia and Perez got aboard with two-out hits. However, they were stranded when designated hitter Starling Marte grounded out.
Gore scattered two more hits en route to his fourth win of the year — and second dominating performance against the Royals.
“We talked about it at home last week,” Quatraro said. “Sometimes you need some batted-ball luck. And we certainly didn’t have that tonight.”
KC finished 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base. In their last three games, the Royals have been outscored 31-2.
Pasquantino drove in Kansas City’s lone run in the ninth inning.
What’s next: Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (2-4, 3.74 ERA) opposes Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker (2-5, 3.96 ERA) in Saturday’s afternoon game. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. Central Time at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 9:59 PM with the headline "How the reeling Royals lost 4th straight game, a series opener at Texas Rangers."
