ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Local high school star Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-run double and had his first three-RBI game in the majors, Whit Merrifield homered for the first time since last August and the Kansas City Royals beat the Texas Rangers 8-2 on Wednesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.
Emmanuel Rivera padded a three-run Royals lead in the ninth inning, clearing the bases with a two-out, pinch-hit triple.
Witt Jr., the second overall pick in the 2019 draft out of nearby Colleyville High School, smashed a first-pitch slider into the left-field corner in the fifth inning. The rookie drove Merrifield home from third base in the seventh on a tapper to third, with Brad Miller’s throw home late.
“It’s always great just to be able to play with friends, family and a lot of people in front of you and be able to live out my dream and be able to see them out there supporting,” said Witt, who was hitless in his first six at-bats in this series.
Merrifield also hit a first-pitch slider into the left-field seats in the third for his first home run in 255 at-bats. The two-time AL hits leader came in with a .139 batting average and enjoyed his first three-hit game of the season. It was his first multi-run game of the year.
“I really haven’t been as frustrated as you might think based on my numbers,” Merrifield said. “I’ve felt really good. And if I feel good, I know stuff’s going to turn around.”
Miller and Corey Seager hit solo homers for Texas. It was Seager’s third in two games. Miller’s came as a pinch hitter in the sixth, his second pinch-hit homer in four days.
The Royals won the battle of openers, forced by both teams having multiple rainouts last weekend and playing Sunday doubleheaders and Monday makeup games.
Joel Payamps (1-1), the second of six Kansas City…
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