By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Kris Bubic put together another strong start for the Kansas City Royals in a pitchers duel against the Houston Astros, but Isaac Paredes’ walk off home run gave the Stros a 2-1 game in the middle game of a three game series at Minute Maid Park.
Bubic gave up one run over 6.1 innings, striking out nine batters on the mound for another quality start, but took the no decision. Kansas City gave him the lead in the fifth inning, Freddy Fermin singling home Maikel Garcia after his leadoff walk to the inning. Houston tied up the game in the sixth, the lone run off Bubic, a solo home run by Jeremy Peña.
Lucas Erceg relieved Bubic in the seventh inning and pitched 1.2 innings, striking out one and giving up no hits, lowering his season ERA to 0.47. In the eighth, Hunter Renfroe doubled and Jonathan India was hit by a pitch, but Bobby Witt Jr grounded out to end the inning. Witt Jr was held in check by Houston, going 0 for 4 at the plate.
After a 1-2-3 ninth inning by Houston reliever Bryan Abreu, Kansas City replaced Erceg with John Schreiber to face Paredes, who was signed this offseason by Houston to replace Alex Bregman, and Paredes blasted the walk off home run to left field to end the game, moving Schreiber’s record on the season to 1-2.
India was the lone Royal with multiple hits, going 2-3. Kansas City managed six hits in the game and were 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position.
Kansas City and Houston wrap up their series tomorrow. Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 3.57 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Colton Gordon, whose set to make his major league debut for the Astros. First pitch is at 7:10pm, pregame coverage begins at 6:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.
