Royals 10, Rangers 9
Pinch-runner Willie Bloomquist scored the game-winning run for the Kansas City Royals, who pulled out a wild 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
Wilson Betemit led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double to right-center off of Rangers reliever Darren Oliver with the game tied 9-9. Bloomquist then entered for Betemit and then stole third base with one out and Alex Gordon at the plate.
After Gordon struck out, Texas reliever Alexi Ogando was brought in to face Yuniesky Betancourt. Ogando nearly threw his second pitch to the backstop, but it was Ogando’s fourth pitch of the night, a 3-0 fastball in the dirt that scooted pass backup catcher Matt Treanor, that allowed Bloomquist to come home for the victory.
It marked a remarkable win for the Royals, especially considering Cliff Lee started the game for the Rangers.
Kansas City handed Lee his shortest outing of the season, scoring five runs in the fifth, highlighted by two-run doubles from Gordon and Jai Miller.
Lee lasted only 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits with no walks and five strikeouts. Oliver (1-2) took the loss for Texas.
The Rangers offense was equally potent, with home runs from Michael Young, Vladimir Guerrero, David Murphy and Mitch Moreland. Those, however, were not enough.
Kansas City starter Sean O’Sullivan went five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits with no walks or strikeouts. Royals reliever Joakim Soria (1-2) earned the victory.