In an extremely efficient two hours and 21 minutes, the Houston Astros defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-2.
While six runs were scored—certainly, we’ve witnessed games with fewer—there was precious little action outside of the fifth and sixth inning during Kansas City’s at bats. The Royals only managed seven total baserunners, via four hits and three walks. No Royal was on base more than twice, and the team struck out 14 times. Not ideal.
However, Carter Jensen did set a nice record today. In the fifth
inning, the Royals were feisty with two outs. Isaac Collins challenged what would have been ball four and succeeded, earning a walk. And after stealing second base, Jensen doubled to left field to drive him home. Routine enough, except it was his 58th extra base hit—a Royals rookie record.
At the time, it cut the Astros’ lead to one, but Yordan Alvarez clobbered a two-run home to give them their third and fourth runs. It was one of three home runs of the day, all given up by Michael Wacha, who did last six innings.
Vinnie Pasquantino hit a home run of his own one inning later to cut the lead to two. But his homer would be the Royals’ last baserunner of the night, and Kansas City went down without any fight at all in the last third of the game. Solid home run, though.
Oh, the other thing of note that happened was the return of one Lucas Erceg. He turned in a clean inning, striking out a batter and earning three quick outs. That was the name of the game tonight: quick.
It just wasn’t the Royals’ day. Or month, for that matter; this is their 10th loss in their last 14 games. Or year. But hey, baseball is baseball, and for the rest of the month you’ll get the chance to watch Major League Baseball in the regular season for who knows how long.
