Rangers get by KC again, 4-2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Gary Matthews' two-run double capped a four-run ninth inning and lifted the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.

Rookie Bobby Keppel, looking for his first major league win, carried a six-hit shutout into the ninth for Kansas City but was relieved by Ambiorix Burgos (1-3) after Hank Blalock's leadoff single.

The Rangers then loaded the bases on a single and a hit batsman. Ian Kinsler made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly before Rod Barajas hit a 1-2 pitch into center for an RBI single.

Matthews' hit was off Elmer Dessens as the Royals lost their ninth in a row at home and dropped to 14-43, the majors' worst record and a pace that would rank them among the worst teams in modern history.

Akinori Otsuka (2-1) went two innings for the win and Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

Keppel, a first-round draft pick of the New York Mets who labored for almost six years in the minors, walked two and struck out two.

He made his major league debut when the Royals purchased his contract from Triple-A Omaha on May 25. The Rangers hit several balls hard, but in his fourth appearance and second start, the right-hander allowed only one runner as far as third base. John Koronka gave up six hits

and two runs in 6 1/3 innings in the first matchup of rookie starters in the American League this season.

After giving up a run in the first on Emil Brown's infield out with the bases loaded, Koronka allowed two singles and no walks until the fifth when Doug Mientkiewicz singled and scored on David DeJesus' double.

Keppel had allowed four earned runs in 13 1/3 innings since being called up from Omaha. He threw six scoreless innings in his previous start at Seattle before allowing back-toback home runs in the seventh.

Texas (32-26) leads the AL West by 4 1/2 games, and plays the Royals again tonight.