Adrian Beltre’s three run homer in the first and Michael Youngs’s solo shot in the seventh helped provide enough cushion for the AL West Division leading Texas Rangers as they edge out the Royals 7-6.
Ryan Dempster (5-1) gave up RBI doubles to Billy Butler (three on the night) in the first inning and Salvador Perez in the sixth, but only allowed two other hits in six innings, striking out eight to win his fourth consecutive game.
Beltre’s homer came off Everett Teaford (1-4), who was making his fifth start of the year and Young’s solo shot came off Vin Mazzaro during a three-run seventh.
Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar’s RBI single off Joe Nathan put the tying run on first with two outs in the ninth, but Alex Gordon flied out to end the game. It was Nathan’s 27th consecutive save.