Vinnie Pasquantino homered in the first inning and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers.

Pasquantino, who has been red-hot at the plate, delivered a three-run home run in the top of the first inning against Texas Rangers opener Caleb Boushley. But the Kansas City bats went cold from there, and disaster struck in the top of the ninth inning.

The Rangers took the third game of the series, 6-3, to snap the Royals’ five-game winning streak. Texas is 3-9 over the last 12 games and has failed to win a series in that span (four tries). Kansas City is 11-7 in the month of August and has a six-game road trip lined in hopes of staying above .500.

If the Texas Rangers are to manage a split of their four-game series in Kansas City, Patrick Corbin likely must end his recent struggles. Following a much-needed victory, the Rangers will aim for their first two-game winning streak in more than two weeks as they face former teammate Michael Lorenzen on Thursday.

Preview the Aug. 20 matchup between the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.

The Royals made it five straight wins Tuesday night with a 5-2 victory over Texas, powered by Vinnie Pasquantino’s early homer and Bobby Witt Jr.’s milestone 10

Without their manager, facing a left-handed starter and a late-game deficit, Texas somehow found a way to victory on Wednesday.

BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals host the Texas Rangers, leading the series 2-1. Kansas City is 35-30 in home games and 65-62 overall. The Royals have the eighth-ranked team batting average in the AL at .246.

Kyle Higashioka had a three-run double in the ninth inning after a two-out error by Vinnie Pasquantino, and the Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Wednesday night. Wyatt Langford drew a two-out walk from Sam Long (1-3) and Corey Seager was safe when Pasquantino misplayed his slow roller at first.

Preview the Aug. 20 matchup between the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.