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The Kansas City Royals\u2019 struggles followed them across state lines in Friday\u2019s series-opening 9-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.<\/p>\n
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And this time there were a few defensive mistakes sprinkled in, as well.<\/p>\n
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In the first inning, the Rangers took advantage of two key errors. Texas shortstop Ezequiel Duran hit a two-out single<\/a> to plate two runs, and then the Royals gift-wrapped the Rangers an additional pair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Texas outfielder Alejandro Osuna reached on Nick Loftin\u2019s throwing error. Loftin threw wildly to first base, pulling Vinnie Pasquantino off the bag. The mistake allowed a run to score and put runners on first and third.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI mean, you\u2019ve got to convert outs, right?\u201d Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cLoftin, I felt like just didn\u2019t set his feet with the throw on the run. The ball just sailed on him and Vinnie tried to hang on the bag as long as he could.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Osuna stole second base and then advanced on another throwing error. This time, Royals catcher Salvador Perez sailed a throw over Loftin<\/a>, who was covering second base. This allowed Rangers star Evan Carter \u2014 who reached with a two-out double \u2014 to score.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThey were going to run that steal and stop,\u201d Quatraro said. \u201cI know Salvy heard the third base coach scream, so I think he was trying to either hold up or redirect, and that\u2019s why the ball flew.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All four first-inning runs, two earned, came against Royals right-handed starter Stephen Kolek.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Royals (22-35) have now lost four consecutive games and 14 of their last 17.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDefinitely doesn\u2019t set the tone in the right way,\u201d Kolek said of walking the leadoff hitter. \u201cThat\u2019s something I can control and it\u2019s not the best way to start a game. So from the get-go, those things happen. And you try to battle through it and not let it affect you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kolek pitched five innings, serving up a two-run homer to Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo. The fifth-inning blast traveled 435 feet, landing in the seats over the right-field wall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kolek suffered his first loss of the 2026 season. He was hit hard Friday after tossing a complete-game shutout<\/a> against the Seattle Mariners last weekend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTough one,\u201d Kolek said. \u201cI didn\u2019t feel super sharp going into it. It was a little unfortunate that first inning, but I just tried to battle through it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before the game was through, former Royals infielder Nicky Lopez would get some revenge against his old teammates. He belted a two-run homer off right-hander Steven Cruz just two days after being signed by the Rangers<\/a> when veteran Andrew McClutchen was designated for assignment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nRoyals\u2019 offense: missing in action<\/h2>\n