HOUSTON — Bobby Witt Jr. and Jonathan India played pivotal roles in securing a victory for the Kansas City Royals over the Houston Astros with a 7-5 triumph on Monday night. Each drove in two runs, aiding pitcher Michael Wacha as the Royals continued their recent strong performance, winning eight out of their last ten games.
Michael Massey added to the effort with a home run, marking Kansas City’s improved performance. India shone with three hits, while Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Kyle Isbel contributed with two hits each to the team’s success. Wacha (3-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and eight hits, while Carlos Estévez secured his twelfth save with a solid closing performance.
Massey ignited the Royals’ offense in the second inning with a leadoff homer against Houston’s rookie pitcher Ryan Gusto (3-2), marking his second home run of the season. India followed with a crucial two-out RBI single before scoring on Witt’s first triple this year. Pasquantino drove in another run furthering the Royals’ lead.
Continuing their assault, Kansas City added three more runs in the third inning. Contributions came from Drew Waters and India with RBI singles, while Witt brought Waters home with a sacrifice fly. Despite Houston’s efforts, led by Jake Meyers with two hits and two scored runs, the Astros’ winning streak of three out of four games was halted.
Houston’s Zach Dezenzo tried to mount a comeback with an RBI double in the seventh inning, and Jeremy Peña added a sacrifice fly. Meyers’ RBI single in the eighth trimmed Kansas City’s lead to 7-5, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tables.
Gusto encountered difficulties, allowing seven hits and walking three within 2 1/3 innings of play. In a critical moment during the ninth, Houston’s Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single, but the next batters were effectively shut down, as Isaac Paredes flied out, Christian Walker struck out, and Yainer Diaz also flied out.
Michael Wacha had previously faced challenges with run support, entering this game with a low average of 1.79 runs per game, not seeing more than two runs while on the mound in any of his previous eight starting appearances. Looking ahead, the Royals are set to play with left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic (4-2, 1.69 ERA) starting on Tuesday against the Astros’ left-hander Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94 ERA).