When the Texas Rangers sent six hitters up in the first inning of Saturday’s split doubleheader at Surprise Stadium, Royals starter Eric Skoglund just shook off the pressure.
He hadn’t been in a situation like this yet in his Cactus League season. Save for a homer his last outing and the six total hits he’d scattered over three other appearances, he’d barely hit a speed bump on the mound.
Instead of panicking, Skoglund ignored the scoreboard in what became the Royals’ 7-6 win in the opener. After escaping the first inning with three runs on four hits, a couple of miscues in the outfield by Jon Jay and a throwing error by Salvador Perez, Skoglund retired the last nine batters he faced.