ARLINGTON, Texas — The Kansas City Royals took advantage of some opportunities presented by Texas Rangers miscues — most prominently in their three-run seventh inning — but the Royals had already dug too big a hole for themselves.
Brad Keller allowed a season-high six runs (five earned) on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings as the Royals lost 6-4 to the Rangers in front of an announced 15,407 for the first game of a three-game series at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night. The Royals have now lost eight of their last 10 games.
Tuesday’s game marked the beginning of the second leg of a three-city road trip for the Royals, who are now 3-9 on the road this season.
Keller gave up three first-inning runs, including the first of two home runs in the game by Rangers free-agent offseason acquisition and two-time All-Star shortstop Corey Seager. Keller had given up just two home runs in his first 31 innings of this season.
The Royals trailed 6-1 going into the seventh inning, but they pulled within two runs.
Hunter Dozier went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, and MJ Melendez (1 for 4) had an RBI single. Whit Merrifield (1 for 4, RBI) and Michael A. Taylor (1 for 4, RBI, run) also drove in runs.
