KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Adrian Beltre launched a three-run homer in the first inning Wednesday, and Ryan Dempster allowed two runs in six innings as the Rangers beat the Royals 7-6 and added a game to their lead in the American League West.
Michael Young added a solo homer to spark a three-run seventh, his second homer of the series and sixth of the season. Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus had the other RBIs in the inning with a sacrifice fly and two-out single.The victory moved the Rangers five games ahead of Oakland and kept them 7 1/2 up on Anaheim, which completed a three-game sweep of the A's earlier on the day.Kinsler opened the game with a single, and Josh Hamilton walked with one out. Beltre followed with his 29th homer of the season and fourth in the past five games.But the Royals would get one back on a two-otu double by Billy Butler. That would be their last base hit until the sixth, when Butler would double again with two outs. He scored as Salvador Perez followed with another double to make it 3-2.The Rangers, though, responded quickly, as Young took Vin Mazzaro deep. Geovany Soto walked with one out, and pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland doubled to Soto to third.Kinsler followed with a sacrifice fly on a circus catch by left-fielder Alex Gordon, and Andrus blooped a single into left-center to plate Moreland to cap the rally.Kansas City had a response of its own, scoring twice against Alexi Ogando to cut the Rangers' lead to 6-4. But Beltre tripled to start the eighth, and Nelson Cruz followed with a single to restore a three-run lead.The Royals continued to make the Rangers sweat, sending the tying run two the plate twice in their half of the eighth and scoring once against Mike Adams. They added another with two outs in the ninth against Joe Nathan, but he got Gordon to end it and secure his 27th straight save.Check for updates on our Foul Territory blog.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
