Yordan Alvarez had a first inning Friday night that will go in the franchise record books.
Alvarez hit a two-run homer and a grand slam in Houston’s nine-run opening frame at Kauffman Stadium, driving in six runs—the most by any Astro in a single inning in franchise history—and leading Houston to a 10-8 win over the Kansas City Royals. He became just the third Astro to homer twice in the same inning, joining Jeff Bagwell, who accomplished the feat June 24, 1994, against the Dodgers, and Lee May, who did it April 29, 1974, against the Cubs.
The grand slam—his 24th homer of the season—came off Mason Black’s second pitch and traveled 419 feet to center field, drawing him even with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the major-league lead. Christian Walker also homered in the first inning, and Taylor Trammell singled in a run during the barrage. Joey Loperfido capped the inning defensively, throwing out Kameron Misner at third base to prevent the Royals from extending their own first-inning rally.
What followed was considerably less tidy. With a 9-0 lead in hand, Tatsuya Imai could not get through the first inning. He threw 38 pitches, recorded two outs, and gave up five runs before Espada pulled him—two more runners he left on base eventually scored. His ERA rose to 6.43.
Six relievers combined to work 8⅓ innings. Steven Okert, A.J. Blubaugh, and Nate Pearson threw 6⅓ scoreless innings among them, continuing what has been a strong stretch for the Houston bullpen of late.
The Royals chipped away. Kansas City scored three times in the eighth against Enyel De Los Santos and Bryan King, cutting the deficit to 9-8 with the bases loaded and Starling Marte at the plate. Marte hit a slow chopper toward Jeremy Peña, who fielded it and fired an off-balance throw to first. The play was ruled an out, survived a replay review, and ended the inning.
Brice Matthews hit a 433-foot solo homer off Matt Strahm in the ninth to make it 10-8. Josh Hader worked a clean ninth for his second save, continuing a dominant stretch since returning from the injured list.
The Royals out-hit the Astros 13-10 but lost at home. Houston is 32-39. The series continues Saturday at Kauffman Stadium, with Mike Burrows starting for Houston against Noah Cameron.
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