1986 Hall of Fame Game

The Texas Rangers scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Kansas City Royals 11-4 in the 43rd Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4, 1986, at Doubleday Field.

The all-American League matchup marked the first time in Hall of Fame Game history that two teams from the same league had faced each other.

The Rangers ended with 11 runs on 10 hits and were helped considerably by four Kansas City errors. Gary Ward hit a solo shot in the first for the Rangers, and George Brett tied the game for the Royals in the fourth with a home run of his own. The teams combined for seven hits in the first five innings of the game while 14 batters struck out during that time.

Kansas City took its first and only lead of the game in the top of the sixth when Lynn Jones singled to center and Greg Pryor homered to left field to put the Royals on top 3-1.

The Rangers responded with four runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Pryor misplayed two consecutive ground balls at third base, and Texas' Darrell Porter walked to load the bases.Tony Harrah then hit a grand slam over the right-center field fence.

After a quiet top of the seventh for the Royals, the Rangers scored six runs to increase their lead. Ward and Porter walked to lead off the inning, and Ward scored on Tom Paciorek’s double to left field. Geno Petralli’s sacrifice fly scored Porter.

Harrah singled to bring in Paciorek, then Curtis Wilkerson walked. Ruben Sierra hit an RBI single to give Texas a 10-3 lead and later scored when Ward singled.

Pryor hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning for the final run of the game.

Texas starter Mike Mason pitched five innings of three-hit ball, allowing just Brett’s home run in the fourth. Reliever Ricky Wright picked up the win after giving up two runs on two hits in his two innings pitched.

Jose DeJesus, who took the loss for Kansas City, allowed nine runs – only five of which were earned – on four hits. The six pitchers in the game combined for 20 total strikeouts.