The Rangers' six runs were more than the four they scored in their previous three games combined. Texas has won two straight after returning home from a 3-6 road trip. The bats grabbed the lead early, and Hamels shut down Kansas City, allowing one run on three hits in eight innings to earn his first win of the season. He struck out three and walked two, lowering his ERA to 2.77
Kansas City has scored only nine runs in the past six games, but the Royals won three of them thanks to outstanding starting pitching. They didn't get that Friday from Nathan Karns, who gave up six earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.