Corey Seager's two homers weren't enough as the Rangers fell to the Royals 8-7 on June 17. See how Salvador Perez and a late rally spoiled Seager's big night.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game that had everything: towering home runs, multiple lead changes, and drama until the final innings. Unfortunately for the Texas Rangers, it ended in the one thing they didn't want: a loss. In a classic Globe Life Field slugfest, the Rangers were outlasted by the Kansas City Royals 8-7, a frustrating end to a night that saw Corey Seager put the team on his back.
Corey Seager was on another level, going 3-for-5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs, raising his season total to 18 homers.
The scoreboard operator was busy all night as the Rangers and Royals traded blows like heavyweight fighters. Texas jumped out to leads, only to see Kansas City claw back, largely on the back of veteran catcher Salvador Perez, who tormented Rangers pitching with two homers and five RBIs of his own. The game was a nail-biter throughout, but the decisive runs came in the eighth inning when the Rangers' bullpen couldn't hold the line, surrendering the lead for the final time. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that battled hard all evening.
If there's one massive silver lining, it's the continued dominance of Corey Seager. The shortstop was simply sensational, single-handedly keeping the Rangers in the contest. His two home runs were majestic shots that electrified the crowd and sent social media into a frenzy. Now hitting .306 with 18 home runs and 54 RBIs on the season, Seager isn't just hot; he's playing like an MVP candidate. His performance was a powerful reminder that even in a loss, the Rangers possess one of the most dangerous hitters in all of baseball.
While the offense did its part, the pitching couldn't quite solve the Royals' attack. Starter Jack Leiter had moments of effectiveness, striking out six batters, but he was ultimately bitten by the long ball. Allowing five runs over five innings, Leiter saw his ERA climb to 4.12 after giving up crucial homers to Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino. The bullpen, which has been a source of strength at times, couldn't slam the door, faltering late and allowing the go-ahead runs that sealed the team's fate.
As frustrating as this one-run loss is, it's important to zoom out. The loss drops the Rangers to 36-37, just below .500, but they remain firmly in the AL West hunt. Furthermore, the team has been playing its best baseball of the season this month, posting an 8-6 record in June with a healthy +31 run differential. This loss is a setback, not a derailment. The offense is clicking, and if the pitching can find its consistency, this team is built to win series.
This one stings, there's no doubt about it. Losing a slugfest where your superstar shortstop puts on a clinic is a tough way to go down. But the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The Rangers will need to shake this one off quickly, get a stronger performance from their pitching staff, and come back tomorrow ready to even the series. The bats are awake; now it's time for the rest of the team to follow suit.
