Royals’ Relievers Are ‘Starting to Gel’

Kansas City’s bullpen finally provided the Royals with some relief this weekend at Arlington, Texas.

Randy Veres pitched 3 1/3 shutout innings for his first save Sunday, leading starter Jose Rosado and the Royals to a 6-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

“The bullpen gave us a semblance of order,” Royal Manager Bob Boone said.

Royal relief pitchers combined to blank the Rangers on five hits over 6 1/3 innings in the three games. Entering the series, the bullpen had failed in four of its last six save opportunities.

“We’re happy but we’re not content,” Veres said. “We still have some catching up to do. We’ve let the team down in some games. This is a start. The bullpen’s starting to gel. We hope this gets the ball rolling, where we come in and stop things where they’re at.”

Rosado (4-3) gave up two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He had lost his last three decisions, but was perfect over the first 4 2/3 innings to extend his string of no-hit innings to 11.

Dean Palmer’s single was the Rangers’ first off Rosado. Palmer had two of Texas’ eight hits.

Joe Vitiello had a two-run home run, Jeff King homered and drove in two runs, and Jose Offerman went 3-for-5 for the Royals.

Kansas City took a 2-0 lead in the second off John Burkett (4-4) when Johnny Damon walked and Vitiello followed with his second homer.

Kansas City added two more in the third on Damon’s sacrifice fly and King’s run-scoring single.

The Royals moved ahead 5-0 in the fifth on King’s sixth home run and his first since May 9.

Burkett (4-4) gave up five runs and a season-high 12 hits in seven innings.

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