HOUSTON, TX – May 14, 2025 – The Houston Astros completed a series comeback against the Kansas City Royals last night at Daikin Park, earning a hard-fought 4-3 victory to win their three-game home set. The Astros rallied late, highlighted by a pivotal eighth-inning.
Astros starter Colton Gordon made his major league debut, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, but did not factor into the decision. The bullpen shut down the Royals the rest of the way, with Bryan King (1-0) earning the win after a scoreless eighth, and Josh Hader (10th save) closing it out in the ninth. For the Royals, Michael Lorenzen (3-4) took the loss, despite a solid outing, after giving up the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth.
The Royals took an early lead in the top of the second inning when Maikel Garcia launched a solo home run. They extended their lead to 2-0 with an RBI double from Jonathan India later in the inning.
The Astros got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Isaac Paredes continued his hot hitting, smashing a solo home run to left field, his sixth of the season and second in as many games, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Kansas City pushed their lead back to 3-1 in the fifth inning with an RBI double from Maikel Garcia. But the Astros kept fighting, and in the bottom of the sixth, Jeremy Peña hit an RBI double, scoring Mauricio Dubón and making it a one-run game at 3-2.
The decisive rally came for the Astros in the bottom of the eighth inning. Mauricio Dubón hit his second double of the game, scoring Chas McCormick (pinch-running for Zach Dezenzo) to tie the game at 3-3 and chasing Lorenzen from the mound. Jeremy Peña then stepped up and delivered a crucial RBI single off reliever Carlos Estévez, scoring Dubón and giving the Astros their first lead of the game, 4-3.
Josh Hader then pitched a scoreless ninth, securing the win and the series for Houston.
Jeremy Peña had a fantastic night at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two doubles, capping a great stretch for him since moving to the leadoff spot. The Astros collected 8 hits in total.
The comeback victory improved the Astros’ record to 22-20 and marked a positive end to their six-game homestand (4-2 record during the homestand). They now prepare to hit the road.
