In an AL wild-card battle, the Kansas City Royals took two out of three games against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium.
By Austin McNabb
Texas (84-71) is now 1.5 games back in the wild-card while Kansas City (82-73) is still 3.5 games back despite winning the series.
In the series opener on Friday, Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar got a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the eight inning that scored centerfielder Lorenzo Cain, giving Kansas City a 2-1 victory. Despite only giving up one run, Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez (9-5, 3.54 ERA) lost his third game in a row while Royals pitcher Ervin Santana (9-9, 3.16 ERA) won his second consecutive game, allowing one run as well.
On Saturday, Texas starting pitcher Matt Garza (10-6, 3.90 ERA) ended his three-game losing streak, giving up only one run through eight innings as the Rangers won 3-1.
In the series finale with the bases loaded, a 3-2 count and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Royals rightfielder Justin Maxwell hit a grand slam, giving the Royals a 4-0 win along with taking the series 2-1 and the season series 4-2.
The Rangers are now 5-15 in the month of September and their division rivals, the Oakland A’s, have now won the AL West back-to-back years.
The Royals have now won nine out of their last 13 and improve to 13-7 in the month of September.
With the last week of the regular season starting, Tampa Bay is the top wild card team while Cleveland is a half-game back in the second wild-card spot. Texas has now slipped out of the wild card by 1.5 games, followed by Kansas City, the New York Yankees, and Baltimore.
The Rangers finish the regular season at home this week against their division rivals, the last place Houston Astros and the third place Los Angeles Angels this weekend.
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