Rangers Dethrone Royals in Series Opener

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

May 29, 2026

Rangers 9, Royals 1

ARLINGTON, Texas (May 29) — The Texas Rangers cruised to a very satisfying 9–1 win over the Kansas City Royals on a warm Friday evening in Arlington. The lead was padded in part by Brandon Nimmo and Nicky Lopez, each of whom had a two-run shot to their credit in the series opener. This marked the first win they put into the record books while wearing their 2026 City Connect uniforms, which they debuted in late April. The Rangers will have the chance to win this three-game series Saturday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 pm Central at Globe Life Field. Righties Seth Lugo (2–4, 3.74 ERA) and Kumar Rocker (2–5, 3.96 ERA) will go head-to-head in the middle game of the series.

Quick Flurry of Runs for the Rangers

The Rangers got off to a fast start in the bottom of the first off right-hander Stephen Kolek. Joc Pederson drew a walk to open the frame. He sprinted to third three batters later when Jake Burger doubled sharply to left. Up next was Ezequiel Duran, who scored both runners with a single up the middle.

Evan Carter hit a double to left and Alejandro Osuna reached on a throwing error by Royals second baseman Nick Loftin, and Duran scored on the play. Osuna swiped second shortly after for his second stolen base of the season. He advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Salvador Perez with Carter crossing the plate in the process.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth. Josh Jung lined a two-out double to left to bring up Nimmo. On a 1–0 pitch, Nimmo blasted a two-run homer 20 rows deep into the seats in right.

The lead was extended in the bottom of the sixth with reliever Steven Cruz on the mound. He issued a two-out walk to Danny Jansen. On deck was Lopez, who sent a wall-scraper to the Rangers’ bullpen in right-center. It marked not only the first homer of the season for Lopez, but also his first as a Ranger. It came against his former club, no less. He signed a one-year deal with the Rangers covering the 2026 campaign on Wednesday. They also designated outfielder Andrew McCutchen for assignment the same day.

The Rangers made it 9–0 in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Eric Cerantola. It came on a solo blast to right by Pederson on a 3–2 pitch. It marks his seventh of the year.

Royals Push Across Late Run

The Royals scored a late run in the top of the ninth off reliever Gavin Collyer. He allowed back-to-back walks to Maikel Garcia and Perez to open the stanza. After Collyer struck out Starling Marte swinging, Vinnie Pasquantino drove in Garcia with a single to center.

What Went Right for the Rangers

The Rangers were able score several runs in the first inning on Friday, which is something they have struggled to do in 2026. The two-run single by Duran was a big moment in the frame. The same goes for Carter scoring on the error by Perez. The home runs by Nimmo, Lopez, and Pederson were also key moments in this victory for the Rangers.

What Went Wrong for the Rangers

The Rangers came close to holding the Royals scoreless, but they had other ideas in the ninth. The RBI single by Pasquantino was their only hurdle in this game.

Nice Outing for Gore

Rangers lefty MacKenzie Gore put together his longest scoreless outing of the year to even his record at 4–4 with an ERA of 3.96. His line on the evening was 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1 HB, 99 pitches/63 strikes. This was only his fourth career start of 6 1/3 scoreless frames. After a double by Perez presented a two-on, two-out threat in the first, Gore escaped the jam and limited the Royals to two singles the rest of the way, holding Royals hitters to a 2-for-18 clip. Gore was relieved by Tyler Alexander after plunking Marte and walking Pasquantino with one out in the seventh. Alexander rolled a double-play grounder to strand the inherited runners.

Tough Night for Kolek

Royals starter Stephen Kolek was saddled with his first loss of the season Friday, bringing his record to 3–1 after being tagged for a career-high six runs in five innings. His line was 6 H, 6 R-4 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 1 HR, 91 pitches/60 strikes. He gave up four runs, two earned in the first inning, after entering Friday having not allowed a first-inning tally and one first-inning hit all season. The six runs matched a career high, done twice previously, including once against the Rangers on July 5, 2025 as a member of the San Diego Padres. On the heels of a complete game shutout his last time out on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners, Friday’s outing spiked his ‘26 ERA from 2.77 to 3.48.

Schumaker’s Postgame Comments

After the game, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker reflected on what he was most pleased with after Friday’s win. “I think Mac (MacKenzie Gore) going into the seventh inning was huge,” he remarked. “The defense was fantastic. Zeke (Ezequiel Duran) was great at shortstop tonight. He made some really difficult plays. Obviously the offense came through. We slugged, played some small ball, and we ran the bases well. Overall this was a good, clean game.”