The Astros’ latest loss came with a bigger price tag than just one night in the standings.
Houston fell 5-2 to the Royals on Wednesday night at Daikin Park, slipping back to .500 at 76-76 and dropping into a tie with Texas atop the AL West after the Rangers beat Boston. The Astros still own the tiebreaker, thanks to winning nine of 13 games against their Lone Star State rivals, but the margin is gone for now.
The offense never found much rhythm. Through seven innings, Houston pushed only one runner past second base, and that was Jeremy Peña after he opened the game with a double and was left standing at third.
Peña kept producing, though, finishing 3-for-4 after his three-hit night Tuesday included a pair of homers. When he singled in the sixth for his third hit, he was the only Astros hitter with a hit at that point.
Jose Altuve and Yainer Diaz opened the seventh with singles, giving Houston a brief chance to build something. But Christian Walker, Nelson Velázquez and Daulton Varsho couldn’t bring either runner home.
Cristian Javier took the loss after allowing two runs, five hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. John Rave broke things open with a two-run homer to right in the fourth, putting Kansas City ahead 2-0.
The Royals added three more in the eighth against Enyel De Los Santos. Michael Massey hit a solo homer, Carter Jensen drove in a run with a double, and a throwing error from right field by Jorge Barrosa helped the inning keep rolling.
Houston has now lost seven of its last 10 games. One more meeting with the Royals remains before the National League East-leading Braves arrive this weekend to finish the Astros’ home schedule.
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Astros Suddenly Have Real AL West Pressure With Texas Closing In
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Texas also has the head-to-head tiebreaker in hand, which means the Rangers do not need help if they can finish tied in the standings. Houston has been in control of the division race for much of the stretch run, but the pressure has clearly shifted, and the Astros can no longer afford to treat each night like just another box score win. [Read more 🡒]