KANSAS CITY -- Less than a month ago, Elias Díaz was a member of the Kansas City Royals.
Díaz, a 2023 National League All-Star with the Rockies, appeared in just 10 games for the Royals before he was designated for assignment on May 22. The Rangers signed him on June 6, badly needing catching depth with Danny Jansen landing on the injured list.
On Wednesday night, during a game in which Díaz didn’t even start behind the plate, the 35-year-old dealt a blow to his former club, connecting for a full-count double in the 10th inning to help the Rangers to a 6-4 win at Kauffman Stadium.
It was the second extra-inning game and win for the Rangers in 2026.
Texas was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position when Díaz stepped to the plate. The offense had stranded the bases loaded on two separate occasions and failed time after time at taking the lead over the Royals, who were playing with a thin bullpen to begin with.
It’s an issue that has occurred time and time again for the Rangers’ offense.
“Just missing the big hit” has been a common refrain.
Díaz was the guy to do it on an otherwise imperfect night.