It was a Pena-Palooza. Astros 4 Royals 2.
Fans were barely in their seats when Jeremy Pena started the night with a lead off smash, clearing the train tracks and putting the Astros on the board 1-0. For Pena, it was his 5th leadoff home run of the season. Pena would double down and repeat the feat in the 3rd inning, making it 2-0 and with that, the final homestand was in full effect.
The Royals scored their first run of the night on a Carter Jensen double, which brought home Isaac Collins who started
the 5th with a walk. In the bottom of that frame, Yordan Alvarez would get that run back and then some. Yordan took it deep to right field, scoring Pena who reached for the third time on a two out single. It was Alvarez’s 39th long ball.
Kansas City cut the lead to 4-2 on Vinnie Pasquantino’s homer to center but that was as close as they’d get.
Hunter Brown earned his 6th win of the season, striking out 10. He’d go five innings before Espada went to the bullpen. Sousa, Blubaugh and Abreu would each pitch an inning before Hader closed things out in the 9th. Josh Hader is now 26 for 26 in save opportunities.
Michael Wacha’s unbeaten streak against Houston is now history. Wacha beat the Astros twice last season. On Tuesday night, Wacha went 6 innings, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with a walk and strikeout in the loss.
The off day served the Astros well. The three-game skid is over.
Odds & Ends:
Yordan’s walk in the 8th inning was his 103rd of the season.
Game two will feature Cristian Javier on the mound, searching for his 3rd win. First pitch once again slated for 7:10 pm CDT.
Wednesday will mark the 21st anniversary of Jeff Bagwell’s dramatic game winning single in the bottom of the 9th against the Brewers. It was Bagwell’s first hit upon returning from major surgery on his right shoulder. Bagwell missed 115 games in 2005.
