Three Takeaways From Rangers' 3-2 Exhibition Win Over Royals
The Texas Rangers got the better of the Kansas City Royals in the first of two exhibition games, taking home a 3-2 victory.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - On Monday night, the Texas Rangers returned to Globe Life Field for the first time in 2026 for the first of a two-game exhibition series against the Kansas City Royals . Texas got the better of the Royals in the first of two exhibition games, taking home a 3-2 victory. Here are my three takeaways from Monday night's game: 1.
MacKenzie Gore’s Strong Start -- For the first time in a Texas Rangers uniform, MacKenzie Gore took the mound at Globe Life Field. In his final tune-up before the regular season, Gore looked sharp, going four shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out three batters and not allowing a walk. Gore shook off an error by first baseman Jake Burger on the very first batter of the game by getting Bobby Witt Jr to fly out to center and striking out Lane Thomas and Salvador Perez.
In the second inning, Gore and the Rangers experienced a scary moment as he was hit on the back of the leg with a 106 MPH comebacker off the bat of Royals right fielder Starling Marte. After walking around the mound for a little bit and taking a couple of warm-up pitches, Gore remained in the game and finished his outing. Gore would allow one hit in each of his last three innings of work, but stranded the runner each time.
The next time we see Gore will be in the Rangers' third game of the season on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies as he makes his official Rangers debut. 2. Brandon Nimmo’s Big Blast -- Much like Gore, Rangers right fielder Brandon Nimmo made his unofficial Rangers Globe Life Field debut.