ARLINGTON, Texas — The Kansas City Royals rode the bat of Maikel Garcia and a timely effort from the bullpen to secure a 6–3 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night at Globe Life Field, clinching the series with a game to spare.
Garcia led the charge with a three-run homer in the third inning, part of a four-run outburst that turned an early deficit into a commanding lead. The blast marked a career-best eighth home run for the Royals’ third baseman, who also tallied a triple and a single, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBIs, tying his personal best.
“He’s been seeing the ball really well lately,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said postgame. “Tonight was just a continuation of what we know he’s capable of doing at the top of our lineup.”
Royals Break Through After Tough Homestand
The win marks Kansas City’s second straight in Arlington following an 0–6 homestand, their longest losing streak of the season. The Royals (36–38) now have a chance to sweep the Rangers (36–38) on Thursday night.
Kris Bubic (6–4) delivered a gritty outing, scattering nine hits and three earned runs across 5 1/3 innings. The lefty threw a season-high 101 pitches to notch his first win in nearly a month.
In relief, the Royals bullpen came up clutch, particularly Lucas Erceg, who induced a crucial double-play ball off the bat of Adolis García with two on and one out in the seventh inning to preserve a one-run lead.
Carlos Estévez shut the door in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning, notching his AL-leading 20th save of the year.
Rangers’ Fast Start Fizzles
Texas looked sharp early, jumping out to a 2–0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI double from Wyatt Langford and a run-scoring single by Adolis García. But Patrick Corbin (4–6) couldn’t maintain the momentum, allowing four runs over five innings.
Josh Jung and Jake Burger tried to spark a rally in the fifth with back-to-back doubles, trimming the deficit to 4–3, but Kansas City quickly answered with Garcia’s RBI triple in the eighth to add insurance.
Sam Haggerty was a bright spot for the Rangers, going 3-for-4 to match a career high in hits. However, the club left nine runners on base and went just 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position—missed opportunities that ultimately doomed their comeback bid.
Injury Note
Texas was once again without infielder Josh Smith, who is nursing a minor hamstring issue. His status for Thursday’s finale remains day-to-day.
Up Next
The Royals look to complete the sweep on Thursday, sending Michael Wacha (3–6, 3.38 ERA) to the mound. The Rangers will counter with a bullpen game, opening with right-hander Shawn Armstrong (2–1, 2.90 ERA).
With Garcia heating up and Kansas City’s bullpen delivering under pressure, the Royals suddenly look more like a team regaining their early-season edge. A win Thursday would not only complete the sweep—it might signal the end of their midseason skid.
