Two catchers headed for the World Baseball Classic enjoyed a strong first game. Royals catcher Salvador Perez, getting ready to play for Venezuela, went 2-for-2 with a run-scoring double and a three-run homer. The double came off Rangers starter Martin Perez, who will also compete for Venezuela. Perez allowed two runs on four hits in two innings.
Perez helped the Royals take a 5-0 lead in the third, but the Rangers rallied for five runs in the bottom of the inning. Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy capped the rally with a two-run double.