MLB GAME RECAP

Moreland’s two homers lead Rangers past Royals

The Sports Xchange

July 28, 2016 at 8:17 pm.

Jul 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) hits his second home run of the game in the eight inning against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 3-2. Photo Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 28, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) hits his second home run of the game in the eight inning against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 3-2. Photo Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mitch Moreland hit a pair of solo homers, lifting the Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals in support of Cole Hamels.

Moreland’s second homer — a solo shot off Yordano Ventura — snapped a 2-2 tie with one out in the eighth inning and was just the fourth hit allowed by the Kansas City right-hander.

That proved to be enough for Hamels, who set a season high with 12 strikeouts in his eight-inning outing. Hamels (12-2) allowed two runs on six hits and walked just one while throwing 123 pitches. Sam Dyson closed out the Royals for his 21st save.

Kansas City made it interesting in the ninth. After Kendrys Morales opened the frame with a leadoff walk and pinch runner Jarrod Dyson stole second, Dyson got three consecutive groundouts as the Rangers posted just their fourth win by a starter in the past 25 games.

Hamels struck out two batters in each of the first five innings, but Ventura was able to match him out for out.

After Paulo Orlando gave the Royals a 1-0 lead with a solo homer off Hamels in the top of the second, Rougned Odor answered with one of his own off Ventura in the bottom of the inning.

The Royals got to Hamels for another run in the fifth on an RBI grounder from Raul Mondesi Jr., but Moreland’s opposite-field homer on the bottom of the fifth knotted the game at 2.

Ventura (6-9) struck out six and walked just one in a complete-game effort.

Cheslor Cuthbert had two of the Royals’ six hits.

NOTES: Texas LHP Dario Alvarez, who was acquired as part of a trade with Atlanta on Wednesday, reported to the Rangers on Thursday and was active for the game. To make room for Alvarez, Texas optioned RHP Nick Martinez to Triple-A Round Rock. … Texas LHP Lucas Harrell, who was acquired along with Alvarez as part of the trade with the Braves, will report to the Rangers on Friday. … LHP Cesar Ramos, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers last Friday, cleared release waivers and is now a free agent. … With his two-hit performance Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels, 2B Raul Mondesi Jr. became the first Royal to collect his first major league hit on his birthday in club history. Mondesi, who turned 21, is the first to do it overall since Minnesota’s Kennys Vargas in 2014. … Royals RHP Luke Hochevar was placed in the 15-day disabled list for symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome. RHP Brooks Pounders was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take Hochevar’s spot. … Kansas City C Salvador Perez was scratched from the game due to flu-like symptoms.

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