Beltre's 399th homer helps Rangers rout Royals
ARLINGTON -- Adrian Beltre's 399th career home run and another strong outing from Colby Lewis helped the Rangers open their homestand with a 8-2 victory over the Royals on Monday night at Globe Life Park.
Royals starter Danny Duffy took the loss, getting himself into trouble with a bout of wildness in the second inning. Duffy walked the first three hitters and the Rangers ended up scoring four runs.
Beltre launched a two-run home run off of Duffy in the fourth. Thomas Field, called up from Triple-A Round Rock, belted his first Major League home run for the Rangers in the seventh. Prince Fielder hit his third home run of the season in the eighth.
"We know they are a good team. They have good pitching and defense, and speed on the bases," Beltre said. "Colby did a great job and we took advantage of their starter, Duffy, he was a little wild. It's always nice to win the first one. We need to play better at home."
Video: KC@TEX: Field launches first Major League home run
Lewis went seven innings and allowed one run on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Lewis is now 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three starts in May, and he's 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA in seven starts on the season. More >
Video: KC@TEX: Lewis stifles Royals over seven frames
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Another rocky start: Duffy nearly made it two consecutive starts that he didn't get out of the second inning. He needed 41 pitches to get three outs in the second, allowing four runs on two hits and four walks. He walked the bases loaded and gave up a two-run single on a fastball left up to Delino DeShields. Duffy allowed another run on a wild pitch. He recovered and was poised to at least go four innings, but Duffy allowed an opposite-field homer to Beltre with two outs before being lifted. More >
Video: KC@TEX: Duffy strikes out DeShields to end the 3rd
"I thought that with the year that he had last year and the beginning of the year, I don't know if he's pressing?" manager Ned Yost said. "I don't know what he's doing. He feels good. [Pitching coach] Dave [Eiland] said his side sessions are good. He warmed up really good today, and he got in the game and too much adrenaline, too much something. He has to learn to harness it."
DeShields delivers big hit: Manager Jeff Banister decided to go with DeShields in left field against lefty Duffy on Monday. DeShields, batting in the ninth spot, came through with a two-run double in the second after Duffy walked the bases loaded. After a wild pitch brought home a run, DeShields scored on a single by Shin-Soo Choo for a 4-0 lead. More >
Video: KC@TEX: DeShields rips double to left to plate a pair
Lewis foils Royals' last stand: The Royals threatened trailing 6-1 in the top of the seventh with Lewis nearing 100 pitches. With two on and two out, Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez hit a smash to third base that Beltre turned into a 5-4-3 double play.
Martin nails runner at home: Rangers center fielder Leonys Martin nixed the Royals' attempt at a serious two-out rally in the fourth inning. With two out and two runners in scoring position, Kansas City designated hitter Kendrys Morales hit a single up the middle to score Alcides Escobar. Martin, though, quickly fielded the ball and showed off his strong arm by delivering a strike to catcher Robinson Chirinos, who made the tag on Mike Moustakas to end the inning.
Video: KC@TEX: Martin cuts down Moose at home to end frame
"That was a big play, I don't think it stopped any momentum," Yost said. "It was a nice throw. He charged the ball well and made a nice, accurate, strong throw to the plate."
QUOTABLE
"We talked about it in our meeting today. This is our house, we need to put our foot down, drop anchor and defend our turf." -- Banister, on the need to win at home
CLOSING ON MILESTONE
Beltre's 399th blast moved him past Dale Murphy and into a tie with Al Kaline and Andres Galarraga for 52nd all-time. With his next home run, Beltre will become the fifth third baseman with 400. The others are Mike Schmidt (548), Eddie Mathews (512), Chipper Jones (468) and Darrell Evans (414).
"I don't pay attention to that. I don't keep numbers," Beltre said. "It's just humbling to be mentioned with those guys."
WHAT'S NEXT
Royals: Right-hander Edinson Volquez will start the second game of the series on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. CT. The Rangers once drafted him as an 18-year old out of the Dominican Republic. Volquez is 2-3, but his 2.65 ERA was the 11th best in the AL entering Monday's action. Volquez had his shortest start of the season Thursday in Cleveland, exiting after three innings due to a blister on his right thumb.
Rangers: Nick Martinez will start on Tuesday against the Royals. Martinez, who ranks second in the AL with a 1.47 ERA, took a no-decision in his last start against Tampa Bay. Martinez faced one over the minimum through four innings before allowing three runs and exiting in the fifth. Tuesday will be the 24-year-old's first career start against Kansas City.
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