TexasBatters Do the Two Step on Royals' Hitters

The Rangers take three of four from the Royals in a battle of two AL West teams that can't hit the side of a barn. Texas manages to get its bats moving against KC's impressive starters (Leonard, Saberhagen, etc.) to move within two games of .500. KC plummets to a KOD worst 7-17.

Game One: Texas 7, KC 4
W: Hough (4-1)
L: Leonard (0-3)
S: Kern (4)

Dennis Leonard's loses his third while seeing his ERA rise to a hefty 6.75. He gives up three in the fifth after KC taken an early 2-1 lead, as the Rangers spray the ball around for a double, two RBI singles and a walk that spells Leonard's end.  Texas scores three more in the seventh off Bud Black, sparked by a leadoff triple from suddenly hot-hitting Mickey Rivers. Homers from KC's best hitter, Willie Mays Aiken, and Hal McRae at least make it close. Charlie Hough wins his fourth, with peerless relief help from closer Jim Kern.

Game Two: Texas 4, KC 0
W: Tanana (4-1)
L: Leibrandt (0-4)

Frank Tanana again is on his game for Texas, winning his fourth and lowering his ERA to a miniscule 1.19. A two-run double from Steve Buechele and a scorching single from Pete O'Brien provide the run support in the easy shutout win. The Royals only manage five hits.

Game Three: Texas 5, KC 4

W: Medich (2-1)
L: Gubicza (0-3)
S: Kern (5)

Doc Medich writes the prescription for another Texas win, as he scatters seven hits and one run in seven innings. Five straight two outs hits in the Texas second plate four off Mark Gubicza, capped by a two-run triple from Gary Ward. KC manages to make it close, scoring three runs in the eighth off Texas relievers as Hal McRae triples in two and Danny Tartabull follows with an RBI single. Kern again holds off the Royals in the ninth for his fifth save.

Game Four: KC 7, Texas 4
W: Black (1-1)
L: Matlack (0-2)
S: Montgomery (2)

Bud Black comes on in relief of Bret Saberhagen, yet another troubled KC starter, in the third inning and shuts down the Rangers' bats in 4.1 innings of one run ball. Steve "Bye Bye" Balboni strokes a grand slam off a struggling Jon Matlack in the fourth to provide KC with a 6-3 cushion that was comfortable enough for the win. Balboni went 4-for-4 with two runs scored to boot. Jeff Montgomery finally got a save opportunity for KC, nailing down his second.