Rangers Seek Split in KC as Corbin Faces Lorenzen

The Texas Rangers will try to salvage a split of their four-game set in Kansas City on Thursday, a task that likely hinges on Patrick Corbin ending a rough stretch. Texas seeks its first two-game winning streak in more than two weeks after rallying to snap the Royals’ five-game run with a 6-3 win on Wednesday. Down 3-1 after the first, the Rangers chipped away until Corey Seager tied it with an RBI single in the seventh, and Kyle Higashioka delivered a two-out, three-run double in the ninth. The club is 3-10 since winning on Aug. 4-5.

“At this point, it’s kind of win or go home,” Higashioka told the Rangers Sports Network. “Our backs are against the wall. It’s kind of a season make-or-break moment. We need every win we can get.”

Both teams sit outside the American League wild-card positions: Kansas City is 2 1/2 games behind the final spot, with Texas 2 1/2 back of the Royals. Corbin (6-9, 4.45 ERA) is 0-2 with a 12.10 ERA in three August starts and allowed seven runs, eight hits, and two walks in 2 1/3 innings Saturday at Toronto. He hasn’t gone beyond 4 1/3 innings in his past three outings; his last quality start was July 5. “I’m just not pitching deep into games right now and kind of sticking to my strengths and going after guys — how I’ve done earlier this year,” Corbin told the Rangers’ official website. “I’m frustrated about that. Just (have to) look back and try to find a way to get better.” He also looks to improve on June 18 vs. Kansas City, when he yielded four runs over five innings in a 6-3 loss, including a Maikel Garcia homer.

Vinnie Pasquantino is 0-for-6 against Corbin but has homered in all three games of this series. He’s batting .306 (11-for-36) with six homers and 17 RBIs over his past 10 games, and the Royals are 7-2 on their 10-game homestand. “He wants to be better in everything,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “At the end of the day, he’s an above-average major league hitter in the middle of an order of a winning team.”

Former Ranger Michael Lorenzen (5-8, 4.43 ERA), acquired at the 2024 deadline, returned from an oblique strain with four scoreless innings Saturday vs. the White Sox and has not allowed a run over 11 innings across his past two starts. He faces Texas for the first time since 2022 and is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA in three career games (one start) against the Rangers. Marcus Semien is 3-for-4 off Lorenzen and logged his second three-hit game in four contests Wednesday; Seager is 7-for-16 with two doubles and two homers over his past four.