ARLINGTON, Texas, May 29 (UPI) -- Mike Napoli scored from first base on an Elvis Andrus single in the ninth inning Sunday and the Texas Rangers rallied for a 7-6 win over Kansas City.
Texas entered their final at-bat down 6-5 but Nelson Cruz cracked a solo homer off Royals closer Joakim Soria (3-2) to tie the contest.
Napoli followed with a single and one out later Andrus lined a hit past diving first baseman Eric Hosmer into right field. Instead of stopping at third, however, Napoli broke for the plate and Hosmer's relay throw reached home in plenty of time to nail him.
But catcher Brayan Pena failed to make a proper tag and Napoli slid in with the game-winner, handing the Rangers the rubber match of a three game-series with the Royals.
Napoli finished 3-for-4 with a solo homer, while Ian Kinsler and Michael Young also went deep for Texas.
The late heroics made a winner of Arthur Rhodes (3-2), who retired Hosmer to end the top of the ninth after the Royals had taken a 6-5 lead on Alcides Escobar's sacrifice fly.
