Royals survive Astros late rally to bounce back with 7-5 win on the road

By MATT PIKE

St. Joseph Post

The Kansas City Royals poured on the offense early, but the Houston Astros started to put together a rally late that the Royals managed to survive against, winning the series opener at Minute Maid Park 7-5. 

Michael Massey sparked the offense in the second inning, starting the four run frame with a leadoff solo home run to right center.  Kyle Isbel doubled later in the inning and Jonathan India singled him home for the second run, before India scored as Bobby Witt Jr laced a hit into the right field gap and raced around the bases for a triple.  Vinnie Pasquantino’s single drove in Witt Jr for the final run of the inning. 

In the third inning, back to back walks to Massey and Cavan Biggio set Kansas City up to extend the lead as Drew Waters singled to drive in Massey.  Kyle Isbel walked to load the bases, chasing Astros starter Ryan Gusto from the game.  Off of reliver Tayler Scott, India singled to drive in his second run of the game, bringing home Biggio, before a sacrifice fly from Witt Jr drove in Waters for the final Kansas City run of the game. 

In the bottom half of the inning, Massey also showed his contributions on the defensive side of the ball.  With one out and the bases loaded after Cam Smith walked and back to back singles by Jeremy Peña and Jose Altuve, Massey made a diving snag on a grounder from Isaac Paredes, lasering the ball to Maikel Garcia, who was playing shortstop covering second base, who threw to Pasquantino for the inning ending double play. 

Royals starter Michael Wacha put together another quality start, improving to 3-4 on the season with the win, but ran into some trouble in the seventh inning.  Back to back doubles by Jake Meyers and Zach Dezenzo led to the Astros getting onto the scoreboard, a single by Smith moved Dezenzo to third base before Wacha finally recorded the first out, a sacrifice fly by Peña that put the Astros down 7-2. 

John Schreiber came on in relief of Wacha and struck out Altuve, but walked Paredes to put two on with two outs, bouncing back though and ending the inning by striking out Christian Walker.  Steven Cruz replaced Schreiber in the eighth inning on the mound. 

Cruz, who hadn’t given up a run since being called up from Triple A Omaha on April 11th, struggled against Houston.  Yainer Diaz hit a leadoff double off the right hander, before Cruz plunked Victor Caratini, then allowed both to advance on a wild pitch.  Meyers drove both runs in with a single to right field, and advanced to second on a throwing error from the right fielder Waters, all before Cruz recorded his only out striking out Dezenzo and was then pulled for Lucas Erceg.  

Erceg opened his appearance with the second wild pitch of the inning, allowing Meyers to advance to third base, and then score on a ground out by Smith.  The inning ended as Erceg got Peña to fly out to Isbel, setting up Carlos Estévez for the save situation.  Estévez gave up a single to Altuve, but then retired the next three batters to earn his 12th save. 

India led the way hitting going 3-5 with two RBI’s.  Witt Jr (2 RBI’s), Pasquantino (1 RBI), and Isbel each had two hits, with Isbel also walking once in the win as Kansas City bounced back from two consecutive losses to the Boston Red Sox. 

Kansas City and Houston continue their series tomorrow.  Kris Bubic (4-1, 1.69 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94 ERA).  First pitch is at 7:10pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 on KFEQ (680 AM/95.3 FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.