Texas Rangers vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats On Apr 03, 2021

Michael A. Taylor replayed his outstanding Opening Day, homering and driving in three runs for the second straight game as host Kansas City defeated Texas 11-4 on Saturday afternoon. It was the second straight game in double figures for the Royals.

Taylor's home run in the fifth got the Royals started on their comeback from a 4-0 deficit. His two-run, bases-loaded double in the sixth gave the Royals the lead.

Mike Minor (1-0) picked up the win for Kansas City, allowing four runs on four hits in six innings.

Josh Sborz (0-1) took the loss. He didn't retire a batter but gave up three runs on two walks and a hit. Kohei Arihara left with the lead for Texas in his major league debut. He allowed three runs on six hits in five innings, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead.

The Rangers opened the scoring in the first on a two-run home run by Joey Gallo. With David Dahl on second, Gallo launched a 450-foot blast into the batter's eye in center.

Minor allowed two more runs in the third after retiring the first two batters. He gave up an infield single before a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Nate Lowe then drove in two runs with a soft single to left.

Taylor got the Royals on the board in the fifth with an even longer home run than Gallo's blast. Taylor took Arihara's 1-2 pitch to straight-away center 458 feet from home.

The Royals hit for the cycle in the first four batters of the inning. Kyle Isbel's flyball was lost in the sun, resulting in a triple. Hanser Alberto drove him in with a double, and Nicky Lopez bunted for a single. Whit Merrifield drove in Alberto with a fielder's choice.

Taylor then drove in two more runs with a double in the sixth. Isbel followed with an RBI single and Merrifield drove in two more with a single. Carlos Santana joined the fun with a two-run double as the Royals scored seven in the inning. Merrifield hit his second home run in the eighth.

--Field Level Media