Heaney has AL record-tying 9 straight Ks, Rangers top Royals
Andrew Heaney tied an AL record by striking out nine consecutive batters, Adolis Garcia's sixth-inning grand slam was one of three Texas home runs and the Rangers routed the Kansas City Royals 11-2 on Monday night.
Heaney (1-1) began the streak by fanning Matt Duffy and Nicky Lopez to end the first inning, then struck out the side in the second and third innings. After Salvador Perez went down swinging leading off the fourth inning, Matt Duffy ended the streak with a flyout to right field.
Heaney threw 93 pitches and left after five innings, allowing two runs – one earned – on two hits. Heaney matched a record shared by Detroit reliever Tyler Alexander against Cincinnati on Aug. 2, 2020, and Detroit reliever Doug Fister against Kansas City on Sept. 27, 2012.
The major league record for consecutive strikeouts is 10, set by the New York Mets' Tom Seaver on April 22, 1970, and matched by the Philadelphia Phillies' Aaron Nola on June 25, 2021, and the Milwaukee Brewers' Corbin Burnes on Aug. 11, 2021.
Garcia's slam capped a seven-run sixth inning and snapped his 0-for-16 slump.
Corey Seager and Jonah Heim also homered off Royals right-hander Zack Greinke (0-3). Greinke gave up four runs, three earned, in five innings.
Hunter Dozier homered for Kansas City in the seventh inning.
Seager had three hits, two off Grienke. Seager is 10 for 24 with four homers off the 2009 AL Cy Young winner.
First-year Royals manager Matt Quatraro returned to action after missing the team's previous five games with COVID-19.
DON'T LEAVE HOME
Greinke is 0-11 in his last 18 road starts since beating the Los Angeles Angels for the Houston Astros on Aug. 13, 2021.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch (rotator cuff strain) is scheduled to throw a bullpen in Arizona on Tuesday.
Rangers: C Mitch Garver (left knee sprain) was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday with C Sandy Leon selected from Triple-A Round Rock to replace him.
UP NEXT
Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 5.59 ERA) will make a third consecutive home start to begin his Texas career, having taken a perfect game into the fifth inning of his win over Baltimore last Wednesday. Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-2, 4.91) went 11-19 as a Ranger 2020-21.
