2/23 Rangers Recap: Royals 4, Rangers 2

Jake Brigham gave up a two-run walk-off home run to Brandon Wood of the Royals, costing the Rangers a 4-2 loss and left them still searching for their first win of Spring Training.

Kansas City took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd when Mike Moustakas scored on a George Kottaras double play.

Texas answered back in the top of the 3rd inning when Ian Kinsler doubled home Aaron Cunningham to make it a 1-1 game, and then David Murphy scored Ian Kinsler on a fielder's choice to make it a 2-1 Texas lead.

Kansas City tied it up again in the bottom of the 5th inning when George Kottaras was able to score on a Mike Olt error.

It was over for Texas in the 9th when Brandon Wood launched his first home run of the spring over the left-center field fence to give the Royals a 4-2 win.

Key Performances for Kansas City:

Alex Gordon (LF) - 1-2, K

Billy Butler (1B) - 0-2, 2 K

Salvador Perez (DH) - 1-3, BB

Mike Moustakas (3B) - 1-2

Texas Box Score:

Ian Kinsler (2B) - 1-2, RBI, 2B

      Jurickson Profar - 1-2

Elvis Andrus (SS) - 0-2

      Leury Garcia - 0-1, BB, CS, E

David Murphy (LF) - 0-1, RBI, BB

     Julio Borbon (LF) - 1-2

Joey Butler (DH) - 0-3, 2 K

     Yangervis Solarte - 0-0, BB

Geovany Soto (C) - 0-2, 2 K

      Jose Felix - 0-1

      Juan Apodaca - 0-0

Mitch Moreland (1B) - 0-2, K

      Brandon Allen - 0-2, 2 K

Jeff Baker (3B) - 1-2

      Mike Olt - 0-1, BB, K

Craig Gentry (CF) - 0-2

      Leonys Martin - 0-2, K

Aaron Cunningham (RF) - 1-2, K

      James Adduci - 0-1

Texas Pitching:

Randy Wells (SP) - 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4.50 ERA

Michael Kirkman - 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

Evan Meek - 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Joe Ortiz - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Collin Balester - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Jeff Beliveau - 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

Jake Brigham - 0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 H, 54.00 ERA

Nothing really stands out from this game, the home run to lose the game was not by a guy that will be contributing in Arlington in 2013, and the two guys who have a shot to make the big league team were pretty good.  Wells, who is trying to win the last starting spot in the rotation gave up only one run and three hits in his two innings, and Michael Kirkman struck out three in his two innings.

The one thing about the lineup that I find interesting is that while Gentry got his turn to start over Martin, which is expected to happen this spring as Ron Washington wants to find a new center fielder, but Mike Olt did not start over non-roster invitee Jeff Baker.  Olt is not in the doghouse, that's not the surprise, but it's that Jeff Baker appears to have a really strong shot to make this team, which would mean more than likely Profar and/or Olt will start in the minor leagues.  Also of note, Julio Borbon did not start again but did enter the game for David Murphy.

Nelson Cruz and A.J. Pierzynski got the day off for Texas.