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Three takeaways: Yu Darvish is dazzling, but Rangers fizzle in run-scoring opportunities 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Takeaways and observations from the Rangers' 3-1 loss to Kansas City Friday night:

-- Streaking: The loss was the Rangers fourth straight, matching the season's worst losing streak. They've had two four-game losing streaks in their last 11 games. The Rangers are 4-15 in their last 19 games. The loss dropped the Rangers run differential to zero for the year, meaning they've allowed as many runs as they have allowed, though they are 13 games above .500. It suggests the team has been "lucky." The Rangers are 19-7 in one-run games.

-- Double figures: Stuff-wise, Yu Darvish had his best post-Tommy John performance. He reached double figures in strikeouts for the first time since July, 2014 (he had 11) and made his first quality start of the season. Darvish now has 27 games with at least 10 strikeouts, second in Rangers history to Nolan Ryan.

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-- The other side: The starting pitching has been abysmal for most of the month, but the lack of timely hitting can't be overlooked in the recent slide. The Raners were hitless in two at-bats with runners in scoring position and are 6 for 32 (.188) on the road trip.

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BREAKDOWN

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The arms: RHP Yu Darvish, having allowed single runs in the first three innings, allowed a leadoff triple in the fourth, then struck out the side. ... Darvish allowed three stolen bases. It is his biggest weakness. He has allowed 20 consecutive successful attempts since Sept. 13, 2013. ... It was Darvish's first quality start since August 9, 2014, his second-to-last start before being sidelined with elbow soreness. ...

The bats: CF Ian Desmond, who began the day hitting .402 against lefties, struck out with the bases loaded against LHP Danny Duffy to end the third. ... PH Mitch Moreland had a terrific at-bat that yielded no results. Down 0-2, he fought to a full count against Luke Hochevar then lined hard to deep right, but Paulo Orlando ran it down for the final out of the seventh. ... 2B Rougned Odor's homer off LHP Danny Duiffey was the first the pitcher had allowed to a left-handed hitter since 2011, a stretch of 315 at-bats.

The gloves: RHP Yu Darvish scrambled to run down Kendrys Morales' swinging bunt along the third base line and made a strong throw for the final out of the first. ... 1B Ryan Rua dove to his right to snare Alex Gordon's liner for the second out of the sixth inning. ...

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SCORING HIGHLIGHTS

Kansas City first: Alcides Escobar singled, stole second, went to third on Bobby Wilson's throwing error and scored on a ground ball by Eric Hosmer. Kansas City 1, Rangers 0

Kansas City second: Yu Darvish walked Alex Gordon, hitting .204, with one out, then allowed consecutive singles. Kansas City 2, Rangers 0

Kansas City third: Cheslor Cuthbert homered. Kansas City 3, Rangers 0

Rangers fourth: Rougned Odor led off with his 18th homer, tying Ian Desmond for the club lead. Kansas City 3, Rangers 1