The Houston Astros had a chance to sweep the Royals and finish the road trip on a high note. Stephen Kolek had other ideas.
The Kansas City right-hander held Houston scoreless into the eighth inning, finishing with 7.1 innings of five-hit ball, as the Royals avoided a sweep with a 4-0 win Sunday at Kauffman Stadium. The Astros, who had scored 18 runs over the series’ first two games, managed five hits and were shut out for the sixth time this season. They finished the road trip 3-3 and dropped to 33-40.
Spencer Arrighetti, who carried a 2.21 ERA into the start, allowed four runs in the first three innings and couldn’t match Kolek’s efficiency. A first-inning RBI single by Maikel Garcia put Kansas City in front, and a three-run third extended the lead to 4-0. Isaac Collins led off the third with a walk, Carter Jensen singled him to third, and Caglianone drove him home with a single to center. Garcia then pulled a chopper up the third-base line for a two-run double that made it 4-0. Arrighetti worked six innings and struck out seven but took the loss, falling to 7-2. His ERA rose to 2.57.
The Astros had their chances. Matthews doubled to open the third inning, but the next three hitters couldn’t move him. Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker opened the seventh with singles, but Joey Loperfido flied out and Cam Smith hit into an inning-ending double play. Houston went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
Raynel Delgado, acquired from Tampa Bay earlier this week, made his major-league debut at third base with Isaac Paredes getting a rest day. Delgado went hitless in his first two at-bats but made a leaping catch on a Salvador Perez line drive in the sixth, robbing what would have been a hit. In the eighth, he lined a changeup from Kolek into right field for his first career hit.
Jose Altuve also sat out with a rest day, as manager Joe Espada looked to keep his regulars fresh before a three-game home series against the Detroit Tigers begins Monday.
Houston returns home to Daikin Park on Monday, with Kai-Wei Teng starting against the Tigers’ Troy Melton. Hunter Brown is confirmed to start Tuesday against Framber Valdez.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
