The Houston Astros<\/a> defeated the Kansas City Royals<\/a> 8\u20137 Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium, erasing a four-run deficit and scoring the game’s final five runs to complete the comeback victory.<\/p>\n Jose Altuve<\/a> delivered a game-tying two-run home run after a lengthy rain delay, and the Astros rallied late to secure a comeback victory over the Royals and clinch the series.<\/p>\n For much of the night, the Astros found themselves chasing the game after the Royals built an early lead. Timely hitting and a productive sixth inning helped the Royals stay in control. The Astros struggled to string together consistent rallies early, but several key swings kept them within striking distance.<\/p>\n The Royals opened the scoring in the second inning and added two more runs in the third. The Astros responded in the fourth when Yordan Alvarez<\/a> singled ahead of Christian Walker<\/a>‘s two-run home run to left field. The blast cut the deficit to one run.<\/p>\n Lane Thomas<\/a> answered with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. Jake Meyers<\/a> responded in the sixth with a solo homer of his own to pull the Astros closer. Later in the inning, Brice Matthews<\/a> singled and helped create additional pressure, but the Astros could not take advantage.<\/p>\n The game appeared to swing heavily toward the Royals in the sixth. Michael Massey<\/a> doubled and Thomas walked before Carter Jensen<\/a> cleared the bases with a three-run double. The hit extended the Royals’ lead to 7\u20133. Matthews helped limit the damage by throwing out Jensen at home plate as part of an inning-ending double play.<\/p>\n A rain delay lasting one hour and 31 minutes paused the game in the eighth inning with the Astros trailing by two runs. When play resumed, Isaac Paredes<\/a> was hit by a pitch to begin the inning. Altuve followed with a game-tying two-run home run.<\/p>\n The Astros completed the comeback in the ninth. Joey Loperfido<\/a> reached base with a pinch-hit walk and moved into scoring position on a single by Alvarez. Walker then put the ball in play, and an errant Royals throw allowed Loperfido to score the go-ahead run.<\/p>\n The relief corps took care of the rest. Bryan King<\/a> retired the side in the eighth to keep the game tied. Abreu worked through a tense ninth inning after Bobby Witt Jr.<\/a> doubled into scoring position. On the next batter, Pe\u00f1a turned a game-ending double play to secure the victory and complete the comeback.<\/p>\n The Astros entered the eighth inning trailing by four runs and needed a spark. After a one-hour, 31-minute rain delay, Paredes was hit by a pitch to bring Altuve to the plate.<\/p>\n Altuve responded with a game-tying two-run home run that erased the deficit and shifted the momentum. The swing energized the Astros and changed the direction of the game during a night in which they had spent most of the time playing from behind.<\/p>\n The Astros consistently answered throughout the game. Walker’s two-run homer in the fourth cut into the deficit, and Meyers added a solo shot in the sixth after the Royals extended their lead.<\/p>\n Those timely swings kept the Astros within striking distance and prevented the game from slipping away. By continuing to chip away at the deficit, the Astros gave themselves a chance to rally late.<\/p>\n The defense played a major role in the victory. In the sixth inning, Brice Matthews threw out Carter Jensen at home plate to end the inning and prevent another run from scoring.<\/p>\n The Astros delivered again in the ninth. After Bobby Witt Jr. doubled into scoring position, Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a> turned a game-ending double play to seal the comeback victory. Those two defensive plays proved crucial in a one-run game.<\/p>\n The Astros entered the bottom of the sixth leading by one run before the Royals took a two-run lead.<\/p>\n Salvador Perez singled, Michael Massey doubled, Lane Thomas walked, and Carter Jensen delivered a bases-clearing double to flip the score. The inning forced the Astros into comeback mode for the remainder of the game.<\/p>\n The Astros put runners on base throughout the middle innings but struggled to convert those opportunities into runs.<\/p>\n Singles from Jeremy Pe\u00f1a and Yordan Alvarez created a scoring chance in the fifth, but the Astros came away empty. The late rally ultimately masked several missed opportunities earlier in the game.<\/p>\n Mike Burrows<\/a> battled into the sixth inning, but the Royals consistently created traffic on the bases.<\/p>\n The Royals collected several timely hits, including RBI knocks from Michael Massey and Vinnie Pasquantino<\/a> before Carter Jensen’s three-run double. Burrows kept the Astros within reach, but the offense spent much of the night trying to overcome the deficit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Astros conclude their series against the Royals on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Central.<\/span><\/p>\n The Astros are expected to start Spencer Arrighetti<\/a>, who enters with a 7-1 record, 2.21 ERA, and 53 strikeouts. The Royals are projected to counter with Stephen Kolek<\/a>, who owns a 3-1 record, 3.14 ERA, and 30 strikeouts.<\/span><\/p>\nAstros \u2013 Royals Game Summary<\/b><\/h3>\n
What Went Right for the Astros<\/h3>\n
Jose Altuve<\/h4>\n
The Astros Kept Fighting Back<\/h4>\n
Defense Came Through in Key Moments<\/h4>\n
What Went Wrong for the Astros<\/h3>\n
The Sixth Inning<\/h4>\n
Missed Chances Early<\/h4>\n
Starting Pitching Faced Constant Pressure<\/h4>\n
Quick Hits<\/b><\/h3>\n
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What’s Next<\/b><\/h3>\n
Main Picture:<\/h4>\n