The Kansas City offense struck early and often, finishing off a series win over the Texas Rangers with a 6-4 victory on Thursday, August 21.

Nick Loftin got the Royals ahead first with a solo homer to left field. Texas responded by tying the game in the third after a Joc Pederson RBI single.

Kansas City retook the lead in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI single from Salvador Perez. Tyler Tolbert and Maikel Garcia added to the lead with a sac-fly and RBI single to make it 4-1.

The Rangers rallied in the fifth inning, scoring runs off a fielder’s choice and a two run single from Josh Smith to knot the game up. All four runs were charged to Michael Lorenzen, who lasted 4.1 innings with six strikeouts.

Vinnie Pasquantino came through for Kansas City in the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer, which ended up being the game-winning run. Luke Maile would draw a bases-laoded walk in the seventh for some insurance.

Carlos Estevez recorded his 33rd save with a spotless ninth. Angel Zerpa earned the win, coming on in relief of Lorenzen after he struggled to get through the fifth.

Kansas City improves to 66-62, 9.5 games back of Detroit in the AL Central and two games back of Seattle in the wild card standings. The Royals took three out of four in the series and have now won eight of their last ten games.

The Royals now hit the road to open a series with the Detroit Tigers tomorrow. Ryan Bergert makes the start for Kansas City against Casey Mize. First pitch from Comerica Park begins at 6:10 p.m.