By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Houston Astros scored two runs late off Kansas City starter Michael Lorenzen to steal a win, and the series, from the Royals winning 4-3 at Daikin Park. on Wednesday night.
After being unable to score in the first inning on a triple from Bobby Witt Jr, the Royals did get on the scoreboard in the second inning, first when Maikel Garcia hit his fifth home run of the season to left field. Kansas City added another run after back to back singles by Hunter Renfroe and Drew Waters when Jonathan India singled to score Renfroe, putting the Royals up 2-0 at the end of two innings.
Maikel tees off! pic.twitter.com/RqxlMzZOce
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 15, 2025
In the fourth inning, the Astros cut the lead in half, when the man who won the game for Houston on Tuesday stepped to the plate, Isaac Paredes hitting yet another home run into the left field Crawford boxes. But in the fifth, Kansas City pushed the lead back to two runs as Garcia drove in another run with a double that went off the pitchers mound and ricocheted off the second base bag into left field, allowing Vinnie Pasquantino to score.
Just how you draw it up. pic.twitter.com/tm7BaEhnqE
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 15, 2025
Entering the bottom of the eighth inning, having only thrown 77 pitches and with no Lucas Erceg or John Schreiber available from the bullpen, the Royals opted to keep Lorenzen on the mound. Lorenzen got Jake Meyers to ground out to open the inning, but after that Zach Dezenzo singled, and was pinch ran for by Chas McCormick, who scored in the next at bat as Mauricio Dubón doubled to tie up the game. Carlos Estévez replaced Lorenzen on the mound and gave up a single to Jeremy Peña pushing Dubón home to give the Astros the lead.
Witt Jr walked with two outs and stole second base with two outs against Astros closer Josh Hader, but Pasquantino lined out to center field to end the game. With the loss, Lorenzen fell to 3-4 on the season. Garcia was the lone Royal with multiple hits, going 2-4 with 2 RBI’s a home run and a double.
Kansas City is off Thursday. The Royals begin a series in Kansas City on Friday hosting the St. Louis Cardinals Cole Ragans takes the mound against Andre Pallante. First pitch on Friday is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 6pm for Royals coverage on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) or will be joined at 6:30 for Cardinals coverage on KY 102 (102.5 FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
