Rangers Edge Royals 5-4 in Extras, Win Series

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The first-place Texas Rangers outlasted the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday night in 10 innings at Kauffman Stadium.

With the series win, the Rangers (82-55, 39-30 away) also win the season series 5-4.

On Frenchy Quarter night, right fielder Jeff Francoeur put the Royals (61-76, 31-38 home) on the board first with a solo home run in the second inning. In the third, an RBI triple by Alex Gordon and an RBI single by catcher Sal Perez gave the Royals a 3-0 lead.

Perez also got to show off his arm. In the fifth, Perez picked off Rangers center fielder Craig Gentry at first. In addition to setting a new single season record for the Royals, Perez now leads the Major Leagues with four picks.

Starter Luke Hochevar didn’t allow a hit through the first three innings, but the Rangers’ plethora of All-Star sluggers finally got to him in the fourth. In a span of three pitches, Josh Hamilton hit a two-run blast to right, and Adrian Beltre crushed a solo HR to center to tie the game at 3-3.

It was the 39th HR of the season for Hamilton, and the 30th HR of the year for Beltre.

Hochevar (5.36 ERA) gave up four runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five and waking two. Rangers starter Scott Feldman (4.97 ERA) gave up three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, fanning six and walking none.

An RBI double by catcher Geovany Soto gave Texas a 4-3 lead in the seventh. Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer answered with a solo blast to center to tie the game at 4-4.

In the 10th, a go-ahead RBI single by Michael Young gave Texas a 5-4 lead. All-Star closer Joe Nathan (2.48 ERA) recorded his 30th save.

Royals closer Greg Holland (6-4, 2.84 ERA) earned the loss.

The Royals begin a six-game road trip in Chicago on Friday night. Royals starter Luis Mendoza (7-9, 4.48 ERA) takes the hill against White Sox lefty Francisco Liriano (2-1, 4.54 ERA) for game one at U.S. Cellular Field.