Astros Score Four Runs in 8th to Rally Past Royals

Houston Tallies Four Unanswered Runs to Avoid Series Sweep, Win 6-5

Late-inning heroics and a shaky Royals bullpen lead to Astros' series-evening victory

The Houston Astros rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Kansas City Royals, taking the series finale 6-5 on Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Trailing 5-2 entering the eighth, the Astros began their comeback bid with a two-out single by Chas McCormick. Jeremy Peña followed with an RBI double to right field, cutting the deficit to two.

The Royals intentionally walked Alex Bregman to load the bases for Yordan Alvarez, but the move backfired when Alvarez singled to right, scoring Peña and McCormick to tie the game at 5-5.

After a Kyle Tucker walk reloaded the bases, Mauricio Dubón singled to left field, scoring Bregman and giving the Astros a 6-5 lead. Despite loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth, Astros reliever Héctor Neris was able to escape the jam and preserve the one-run lead.

The Astros bullpen was shaky, allowing three runs on five hits in three innings of work, but the offense bailed them out with a big eighth inning.

Astros starter Luis Garcia allowed four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, while Royals starter Kris Bubic gave up two runs on six hits in six innings.

With the win, the Astros improve to 15-15 on the season, while the Royals fall to 13-17.

What's Next?

The Astros will head to Chicago to face the White Sox in a three-game series beginning on Monday, while the Royals will host the Toronto Blue Jays in a four-game set starting on Monday.