Crazy Ending, But Nonetheless A Victory: Rangers 7 Royals 6

Royals rookie catcher Brayan Pena has hit three three-run homers against the Rangers this season including one against Rangers starter Alexi Ogando on Sunday in the last game of the home stand.

But it was Pena’s own mental error coupled with some aggressive baserunning from the Rangers’ own catcher Mike Napoli that capped a comeback that included a pair runs in each of the final two innings. Following a Nelson Cruz homer that quickly knotted the game at six to begin the ninth, Napoli reached on a single into the gap. With a loaded bench for the day, the Rangers pinch hit Mitch Moreland and David Murphy, who both struck out swinging. In his second at-bat of the day, Elvis Andrus singled deep down the right field line in place of Ian Kinsler, who was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Mike Estabrook, to end the fifth inning. Napoli, who most likely would have stopped at third, was waved home by third base coach Dave Anderson. The relay throw had him out by miles, but the savvy Napoli slid his feet across the plate before Pena tagged his chest. Replays showed the call was correct as the Rangers got their first walkoff victory of the season.

Both Nefali Feliz and Joaquim Soria have struggled to lockdown games this season. Coming into a tie game, Feliz allowed a leadoff double to Chris Getz, who advanced to third on a Cruz bobble and a sacrifice fly to Alcides Escobar to give the Royals a brief lead before the aforementioned at-bat by Cruz to lead off the Rangers’ ninth. Feliz has three blown saves recently and each of his last five outings have been extremely nerve-racking. He hasn’t looked like the confident flame thrower who won the Rookie of the Year Award last season. Feliz is an integral part of the Rangers’ success, and the Rangers need to be able to rely on him to close games.

The eighth inning was replete with its own drama. With Andres Blanco on base and the team down 5-3, the Rangers were craving a big hit – and they got a mammoth one with two outs. Michael Young’s two-run shot over the wall in right tied the score at five. Young also put a double a deep fly ball to Alex Gordon in the stat book. Also, Kinsler went yard in the third and Napoli in the fifth.

Ogando allowed five runs on five hits in the fourth inning and got a no-decision. Darren Oliver was credited with the win.