Texas Rangers backup catcher Max Ramirez came through with the biggest hit of the game on Sunday afternoon.
Ramirez roped an RBI double to right-centerfield, which proved to be the go-ahead hit in the Rangers 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
It capped off the Rangers (18-14) first sweep of the season, as the Royals (11-21) were swept for the first time this season.
With the game tied 4-4 going into the fifth, Royals reliever Brad Thompson got the first two Rangers’ batters out. But David Murphy and Justin Smoak both singled, setting up Ramirez to deliver the clutch hit.
He did just that, bailing out Scott Feldman after another rough outing. The Rangers cushioned their lead with a run in the eighth on an RBI single from Michael Young.
Feldman went only four innings, allowing four runs (all earned) on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Doug Mathis (1-0) earned the victory, throwing two scoreless innings in relief.
Kansas City starter Luke Hochevar had one of his worst starts of the season, lasting only 2 2/3 innings. But Royals reliever Brad Thompson (0-1) took the loss after giving up Ramirez’s RBI double in the fifth.
Kansas City | Texas | |
Luke Hochevar | Player | Scott Feldman |
No Decision | W/L | No Decision |
2.2 | IP | 4.0 |
1 | Strikeouts | 4 |
3 | Hits | 6 |
13.50 | ERA | 9.00 |
Kansas City | Texas | |
Mike Aviles | Player | David Murphy |
3 | Hits | 3 |
1 | RBI | 2 |
1 | HR | 0 |
6 | TB | 4 |
.750 | Avg | .750 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Kansas City | 8 | 1 | 14 | .242 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Texas | 10 | 0 | 12 | .333 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 |