Yordan Alvarez Powers Astros Past Kc Royals 10-8

The kc royals fell 10-8 to the Astros after digging out of a 9-0 hole before their first at-bat and still coming up two runs short. Yordan Alvarez did the early damage, hitting two first-inning home runs, including a grand slam, in the series opener.

Alvarez Opens Fast

Houston built a 9-0 lead before Kansas City came to the plate, then Alvarez kept the first inning moving with a two-run shot and a grand slam. Christian Walker also homered, and neither starter survived the inning.

The Royals answered with five runs before the Astros took their second at-bat. Carter Jensen started the rally with a single, Bobby Witt Jr. walked, and Vinnie Pasquantino singled to drive in Jensen. Maikel Garcia followed with a fielder’s choice that brought in a run, Michael Massey doubled down the right field line for another, and Kameron Misner singled to center to plate two more. Misner was thrown out trying to reach third to end the inning.

Royals Rally To 9-8

Kansas City kept pressing. Garcia led off the eighth with a single, Massey added an RBI single, Isaac Collins was hit by an 0-2 pitch, and Jensen drew an RBI walk to pull the Royals within 9-8.

Manager Matt Quatraro used Starling Marte as a pinch-hitter for Pasquantino in the inning, but Marte hit a weak grounder to short and was thrown out by a hair. The pressure stayed on Houston, but the Astros’ bullpen held the line until the ninth.

Strahm Pays For The Final Blow

Houston added a home run off Matt Strahm in the ninth inning to make it 10-8, and Josh Hader closed it out for the Astros. The game finished as an 18-run, 23-hit affair that still ended with Kansas City one big swing short of a full recovery.

The Royals now turn to the following evening at 6:10 p.m. Central time, when Mike Burrows was scheduled to face Noah Cameron. Cameron carried a 3.84 ERA and a 16.7% K-BB%, while Burrows had a 5.77 ERA and a 9.8% K-BB%.