Gonzalez Delivers Knockout Blow
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Juan Gonzalez hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night to give the Texas Rangers a 13-10 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Gonzalez had five runs batted in, raising his major league-leading total to 59. His 12th homer, off Jeff Montgomery (0-2), bailed out John Wetteland (2-0), who had his first blown save in 26 tries dating to last season.
Wetteland gave up consecutive homers to Jeff Conine and Jermaine Dye in the top of the ninth as the Royals tied it, 10-10.
The Rangers played the game under protest after Royal leadoff hitter Johnny Damon was credited with a walk by home plate umpire Ed Hickox, although the stadium scoreboard showed the count as 2-and-2.
Shane Mack hit his fifth career grand slam for Kansas City, which has lost seven in a row.
Montgomery walked Mark McLemore and Rusty Greer to open the ninth before Gonzalez hit Montgomery’s first pitch over the wall in straightaway center.
The Royals took a 3-0 lead in the third on Jose Offerman’s three-run homer, his second home run.
NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS
WHO: Kansas City Royals
WHERE: at Edison Field
WHEN: Monday, 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
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