Royals backup catcher Drew Butera broke the Rangers' 22-inning scoreless streak against Kansas City with a solo homer in the fifth, just after he replaced starter Salvador Perez. But the Royals managed precious little offense beyond Butera's homer until Brayan Pena's one-out, two-run double in the ninth.
Though starter Jason Hammel was ineffective, allowing all five Rangers runs, lefty Jason Vargas tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four. Peter Moylan and Al Alburquerque also threw a shutout frame each.
Rangers starter Allen Webster went four scoreless innings.