Houston takes two of three in the series
Astros take series from Royals with walk-off win in Bregman's return
Aug 25, 2021, 5:42 pm
Alex Bregman made his long-awaited return to the Astros' lineup on Wednesday. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Alex Bregman made his long-awaited return to the Astros' lineup on Wednesday.
With a win Tuesday night to even this three-game set at a game apiece, the Astros put out a revitalized lineup on Wednesday afternoon to try and get the series victory. Despite the Royals getting a big blow in the late stages of the game, Houston would come away winners in extra innings.
Final Score (10 innings): Astros 6, Royals 5
Astros' Record: 75-52, first in the AL West
Winning Pitcher: Kendall Graveman (5-0)
Losing Pitcher: Joel Payamps (0-3)
Houston goes in front after trading homers
After scoreless frames in the first and second, Martin Maldonado would start the scoring for the day with a one-out solo homer in the bottom of the third, giving the Astros a 1-0 lead. It was short-lived, as Salvador Perez would match that to lead off the fourth, tying the game. Yordan Alvarez responded in the bottom of the inning, though, getting the third solo homer in as many half-innings, putting Houston back on top 2-1.
Breggy's back.#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/i2WcfqwF0w
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 25, 2021
The score held there through the fifth inning, then in the bottom of the sixth, Alex Bregman recorded his first RBI in his first game rejoining the team from the IL, getting a two-out double to score a run and extend the lead to 3-1.
McCullers Jr. has a rough end to an otherwise great start
Meanwhile, on the mound for Houston was Lance McCullers Jr., who, other than that solo homer back in the fourth, was doing exceptionally well. After holding the Royals to their one run over the first six, he came back to the mound with the 3-1 lead in the top of the seventh, looking to get through it to finish his day.
Things unraveled for him, though, as after two quick outs, he would load the bases on a single and two walks, ending his day as Dusty Baker would bring in Cristian Javier to try and get out of the jam. Instead, Javier would allow a go-ahead grand slam on his first pitch, with three of the runs charged to McCullers to dramatically degrade his line: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 1 Hr, 107 P.
Astros take the series with walk-off win in extras
Down 5-3 after the grand slam, Houston started to claw their way back into it in the bottom of the seventh. Jake Meyers led the inning off with a single, got into scoring position on a groundout, then scored on an RBI single by Aledmys Diaz to make it a one-run game. Javier, who allowed the big blow in the seventh, returned and retired the side in order in the top of the eighth to keep it 5-4.
Houston tied things up in the bottom of the eighth, getting a runner to second base before bringing in Michael Brantley to pinch-hit, who would deliver a game-tying RBI single. After a scoreless ninth inning on both sides, Kansas City started the top of the tenth with their free runner on second but would do nothing with it as Kendall Graveman would get through the inning unscathed. That left the door open for the Astros, and with Bregman on second to start the bottom of the tenth, he moved to third on a Kyle Tucker single, then scored on an RBI groundout by Jake Meyers to win the game and the series.
Walk-off winners.#ForTheH pic.twitter.com/mhYYLqxCcV
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 25, 2021
Up Next: Houston will enjoy a day off tomorrow as they pick up a three-game series with the Rangers on Friday in Arlington at 7:05 PM. The pitching matchup for the opener is Jake Odorizzi (6-6, 4.52 ERA) for the Astros and Lordan Lyles (6-10, 5.33 ERA) for the Rangers.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Dusty Baker shines while Astros struggle to find their groove
Apr 25, 2024, 10:54 am
Dansby Swanson hit a three-run homer during Chicago's four-run first inning and the short-handed Cubs beat the Houston Astros 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Playing without Cody Bellinger, Chicago used Swanson's big swing and a solid start by Jameson Taillon to earn its second straight win. It will try to sweep the three-game set against the struggling Astros on Thursday.
Taillon (2-0) allowed two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings on a chilly evening at Wrigley Field. The right-hander struck out four and walked two in his second start since he began the season on the injured list with a back strain.
“Before that back injury, I just really liked where we were at,” Taillon said, “and I feel like we were able to use that downtime as like, let’s stay on the straight and narrow, stay on the right path.”
Houston lost for the seventh time in eight games. It has scored a total of 21 runs during the slide.
Manager Joe Espada tried to spark his sputtering lineup by moving Alex Bregman into the second spot, between Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez. But the Astros went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position and left 10 runners on base.
Altuve opened the ninth with a drive to left against Héctor Neris for his sixth homer. But Neris retired Bregman, Alvarez and Kyle Tucker for his second save in three opportunities.
Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list with two fractured ribs on his right side. The center fielder got hurt during the series opener Tuesday night.
There was no word just yet on a timetable for his return.
“The doctors will come up with a plan,” manager Craig Counsell said, “and, like everything, he’s got to get symptom-free first and we’ll go from there.”
Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ singled for Chicago in the first against Spencer Arrighetti. Michael Busch delivered a sacrifice fly and Christopher Morel walked before Swanson hit a two-out drive to left for his third homer.
The Cubs also got off to a fast start Tuesday night, jumping on the Astros for five runs in the first in a 7-2 victory.
“We’ve just been pretty committed to our plans coming in and put some good swings on some balls and that’s just a testament to the work that the guys are doing in the cage,” Swanson said.
Arrighetti (0-3) was pulled with two outs in the fourth. The right-hander allowed seven hits, struck out seven and walked two in his third major league start.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (elbow soreness) threw about 40 pitches during a bullpen session. “He came off the mound feeling good,” Espada said. Valdez remains in line to start this weekend during a two-game series against Colorado in Mexico City. … RHP Cristian Javier (neck discomfort) played catch back in Houston. “The doctor saw him, and it looks like he's improving,” Espada said.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks is taking pills to help with the inflammation from his low back strain. He also is getting treatment and playing catch to help keep his arm moving. He isn't too concerned about the injury. “It just made sense to give it the time to settle down, get out of there and give myself a chance to get back to 100 percent,” he said. ... OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) has resumed baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Houston right-hander Justin Verlander (1-0, 3.00 ERA) makes his second start since he missed the beginning of the season because of shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Javier Assad (2-0, 2.11 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago.