Kansas City Royals bullpen shuts down Rangers with 9-5 victory
Associated Press | Apr 29, 08 11:06 PM CDT in
Sports
Jose Guillen drove in five runs and the Kansas City Royals held off the Texas Rangers 9-5 on Tuesday night.
The Royals have won three of their last four games after snapping a seven-game losing streak. Texas has lost 14 of its last 18 games to fall to a major league-worst 9-18 record on beleaguered manager Ron Washington's 56th birthday.
Guillen drove in the Royals' first run with a first-inning fielder's choice, singled to produce Kansas City's two runs in the second and hit a two-run home run in the fourth.
Texas starter Jason Jennings (0-5) gave up eight hits and five runs before leaving with no outs in the third inning because of ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm. Given a 7-2 lead, Brett Tomko couldn't last more than 3 1-3 innings. He gave up five runs and seven hits.
Ron Mahay (1-0) entered the game with the Royals ahead 7-5, a runner at second base, and one out. He retired Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley to end the threat. Mahay and three other relievers held the Rangers scoreless over the final 5 2-3 innings.
Mark Teahen drove in Kansas City's final runs with a two-run triple in the eighth inning. Mark Gruzielanek went 4-for-6 with three doubles and scored three runs for the Royals.
For Texas, Brandon Boggs made his major league debut in the fifth inning and went 2-for-2 with a walk.
Texas lost second baseman Ian Kinsler in the first inning when he was ejected by home plate umpire Bill Welke for arguing a called third strike.
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