HOUSTON โ 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 Cityโs improved performance. India shone with three hits, while Witt, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Kyle Isbel contributed with two hits each to the teamโs success. Wacha (3-4) pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and eight hits, while Carlos Estรฉvez secured his twelfth save with a solid closing performance.
Massey ignited the Royalsโ offense in the second inning with a leadoff homer against Houstonโs 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 Wittโs first triple this year. Pasquantino drove in another run furthering the Royalsโ 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 Houstonโs efforts, led by Jake Meyers with two hits and two scored runs, the Astrosโ winning streak of three out of four games was halted.
Houstonโs Zach Dezenzo tried to mount a comeback with an RBI double in the seventh inning, and Jeremy Peรฑa added a sacrifice fly. Meyersโ RBI single in the eighth trimmed Kansas Cityโs lead to 7-5, but it wasnโt 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, Houstonโs 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 Astrosโ left-hander Framber Valdez (2-4, 3.94 ERA).