The Kansas City Royals capped off a commanding series sweep of the Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon behind a breakout performance from top prospect Jac Caglianone and a dominant start by veteran Michael Wacha, securing a 4-1 victory at Globe Life Field.
In just his fourth Major League game, the 22-year-old Caglianone showcased the power that made him one of baseball’s most anticipated call-ups, launching his first two career home runs — both against left-handed pitchers. His solo shots in the second and ninth innings punctuated the Royals’ first three-game sweep in Arlington since 2003 and extended a hot streak for a Kansas City club that entered the series on the heels of a six-game losing skid.
“Special day for Jac, and really for all of us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “To see the kid come up and swing like that, in this ballpark, in a sweep — it’s a jolt of energy.”
Wacha Silences Texas Bats
Wacha (4-6) flirted with a no-hitter until Wyatt Langford broke it up with a one-out single in the sixth. The veteran right-hander settled for six innings of two-hit, one-run ball, striking out five. It marked his first win since May 5 and continued a trend in the series: three different Kansas City starters collected their first June victories during the sweep.
The Royals, who hadn’t claimed a series at Texas in over a decade, continued to get key late-inning contributions from Carlos Estévez, who notched his AL-leading 21st save with a clean ninth inning.
Offensive Highlights
Kansas City wasted little time jumping on Texas starter Shawn Armstrong (2-2), as Vinnie Pasquantino drilled a two-run homer — his 11th of the year — in the top of the first inning. Armstrong entered the game with 11 consecutive scoreless outings, but his run ended quickly in a bullpen day for the Rangers.
Then came Caglianone’s first — a 387-foot leadoff homer in the second off lefty Jacob Latz. The rookie wasn’t done, as he returned in the ninth to blast a 439-foot moonshot off Robert Garcia, again left-on-left, sending the ball over the Rangers’ bullpen.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about,” Caglianone said postgame. “But to do it twice in a game that clinches a sweep? That’s beyond what I imagined.”
Latz, despite surrendering the homer, gave the Rangers length with a career-high 5 2/3 innings, allowing just three hits and one run.
Key Moment
With the Rangers threatening in the sixth and trailing just 3-1, Wacha faced Adolis García as the potential tying run. Wacha induced a harmless popout to first, ending the threat and preserving the lead.
Notable Stat
Marcus Semien extended his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest for a Ranger this season, with an RBI double in the sixth that accounted for Texas’ lone run.
What’s Next
Both clubs hit the road for weekend series: the Royals (38-38) travel to face the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Rangers (36-39) head north to take on the Detroit Tigers.
For Kansas City, the sweep marks a pivotal bounce-back as they push to stay in contention in the crowded AL Central race. And for Jac Caglianone, it may just be the beginning of a star-making summer.
