Astros Secure Win in Texas
The Houston Astros defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Wednesday, September 16, at Daikin Park. The final tally was 4-2 in favor of the home team, improving their record to 76-75 while the Royals fell to 66-85. Attendance for the contest was 28,635 fans.
Early Offense Sets Pace
Houston took an early lead in the first inning when Jeremy Peña homered to left center, putting the ball 440 feet in the air. Peña added to his total in the third inning with a second home run to left, traveling 370 feet. These early blows gave the Astros a 2-0 advantage before Kansas City could respond. In the fifth inning, the Royals scored one run when Jensen doubled to left, allowing Collins to score. However, Houston extended their lead in the same frame when Yordan Alvarez homered to right, a 376-foot shot that also drove in Peña. This play brought the score to 4-1.
Late Rally and Relief
Kansas City managed to cut into the deficit in the sixth inning. Pasquantino homered to right center, a 376-foot drive, scoring one run to make it 4-2. The remainder of the game saw the Astros bullpen preserve the two-run advantage. Hunter Brown started for Houston, pitching five innings while allowing two hits and one earned run on three walks and ten strikeouts. He earned the win, improving his record to 6-3. Michael Wacha took the loss for Kansas City, pitching six innings while allowing four hits and four earned runs on one walk and two strikeouts. His record dropped to 9-9.
Bullpen Performance
The Astros relief corps closed out the game effectively. Bennett Sousa pitched one inning, allowing one hit and one earned run with one strikeout. AJ Blubaugh followed with one inning of work, allowing no hits or earned runs and striking out one batter. Bryan Abreu pitched one inning, allowing no hits or earned runs and striking out one batter. Josh Hader finished the game with one inning pitched, allowing one hit and no earned runs with no walks and one strikeout. He recorded the save, bringing his total to 26. For Kansas City, Lucas Erceg pitched one inning without allowing hits or earned runs, striking out one batter. Jose Cuas pitched one inning, allowing no hits or earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Sources
ESPN
