The Texas Rangers opened up a three-game series at the Kansas City Royals with a win despite ace Jacob deGrom leaving early with a wrist injury.
Big blasts early lifted the Texas Rangers past the Kansas City Royals 4-0 Monday night at start a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium, but the immediate concern after was the status of Jacob deGrom.
The Rangers ace left after four innings due to right wrist soreness. While the injury wasn’t apparent while deGrom was pitching, he left for precautionary reasons.
The right-hander had yet to allow a hit and struck out five.
The Rangers (10-6) arrived in Kansas City late Sunday night riding a high from winning a series at the defending champion Houston Astros. The Royals (4-13) also begin of three consecutive Texas opponents that are last in their respective divisions.
The Rangers stoked deGrom to a 3-0 lead before he took the mound. Marcus Semien and Travis Jankowski got on base to start the game on errors. Josh Jung crushed a three-run shot to left of Royals starter Jordan Lyles (0-3) with one out to get Texas on the board.
Semien, one night after his grand slam broke things open at Houston, drilled a solo shot in the fourth for push the lead to four runs. Jung and Semien both have three homers this season.
Dane Dunning pitched the next 4 1/3 innings after deGrom’s departure and earned his first win of the season. Jose Leclerc got the final two outs to preserve the shutout.
Nathan Eovaldi (1-2. 6.32) goes for Texas in second game of the series Tuesday night, with the Royals countering with Brad Keller (2-1, 2.12). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
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