The streak is over.
Former Ranger Jeff Francoeur singled to center in the 10th inning, with a runner on third as the Royals defeated the Rangers 2-1, improving to 1-3 on the current homestand. With the win, the Royals now sit at 21-22. I-70 rivals, the St Louis Cardinals will be in town over the weekend.
You can't fault the pitching tonight as Luke Hochevar threw 8 2/3 innings, giving up the lone run in the second inning on Chris Davis' third home run of the season. Texas got two on in the ninth before manager Ned Yost removed Hochevar, giving way to Greg Holland. On the fourth pitch, David Murphy flew out to center to keep the lead at just one run.
Derek Holland had an equally impressive start, throwing eight innings, allowing one run on nine hits.
The Royals had the heart of the order batting in the bottom of the ninth, with Eric Hosmer leading off. On Wednesday evening, Hosmer homered in the ninth of closer Neftali Feliz, and facing Holland tonight he singled up the middle before Holland exited. Feliz entered to face Francoeur. Francoeur promptly singled to right, setting the table for Kansas City with two on and no out, the best scoring chance of the evening.
Billy Butler and Wilson Betemit flew out, then Feliz threw a wild pitch to move the runners up to second and third with Mike Aviles at the plate. Facing a full count, Aviles singled the 11th pitch of the at-bat up the middle to score Hosmer and tie the game. Aviles had been in an 0-for-12 slump, Feliz blew a save opportunity for the second evening in a row.
The Royals weren't finished as Feliz walked Brayan Pena to load the bases and Mark Lowe came on for the Rangers to face Alcides Escobar. Feliz had throw 35 pitches in the inning. Escobar grounded out to Lowe, sending the teams in extra innings for the second night in a row.
Kansas City's Holland sent the Rangers down in order in the 10th, with the top of the Royals order at-bat in the bottom of the 10th.
After Darren Oliver got Alex Gordon out, Melky Cabrera singled, as Hosmer singled on a bullet to right, allowing Cabrera to move up to third. Texas manager Ron Washington again went to his bullpen brining in Cody Eppley to face Francoeur. Francoeur fought off many pitches before coming through with the seventh walk off win of the year, singling to center for the win.
Greg Holland picked up the win and is 1-0 after his 2011 debut, while Oliver took the loss and falls to 1-5. A full boxscore can be viewed here.