Royals successful going extra mile for wins

ARLINGTON -- The Royals have struggled over the past month, losing 21 of their last 27 games despite winning two of their last four following Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Rangers. But, as Saturday's win proved, the Royals seem well-equipped for extra-inning games.

Aaron Crow preserved a 1-1 tie in the ninth by getting Jurickson Profar to pop out with two runners in scoring position before David Lough was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to push the go-ahead run across in the 10th. George Kottaras knocked a two-run double off the fence in right field, giving the Royals a 4-1 victory.

"Once it goes to extras, you have to find a little bit of extra energy and find a way to win," Royals left fielder Alex Gordon said. "Usually, it comes down to your bullpen and pitchers keeping you in ballgames, and giving you a chance to win late in the game."

With the win, the Royals improved to 4-1 in extra-inning games this year, with each of those wins coming in 10-inning affairs.

"We just found a way to score in the 10th inning yesterday," manager Ned Yost said. "It was big. Now, we've got to find a way to score runs in the one through nine innings. We're working on that."