Astros 6, Royals 5: Astros sweep American League's best

It's tough to sweep any series, let alone against the team with the second-best winning percentage in the Major Leagues. That was the task that was before the Astros on Wednesday as they faced the Royals.

Vincent Velasquez was on the mound for the Astros still looking his first decision as a major leaguer, he has yet to get one in his first four starts. The Royals jumped on Velasquez early as Lorenzo Cain tripled to left. Kendrys Morales muscled a ball into the Crawford Boxes for a home run -- the Royals lead 2-0 after one.

Former Ranger Alex Rios bit the Astros in the butt with an RBI single in the second, the score now 3-0 Royals.

The Astros wasted two runners in scoring position with no outs in the first, and Houston couldn't figure out Edinson Volquez until the fourth inning.

Chris Carter hit his 100th career home run in fourth to break the seal on the Astros scoring.

In the fifth, Marwin Gonzalez hit a home run of his own -- cutting the lead to one run.

The offense continued in the fifth with Jason Castro walking and George Springer taking a pitch in the hand. Springer was in clear pain but stayed in the game. Jose Altuve drove home Castro with a single up the middle. Springer took an extra base, getting to third with a head-first slide. Springer continued to show clear pain after the slide.

Altuve would move to second on the throw to third. Evan Gattis singled to right-center, scoring Springer and Altuve. Springer would leave game after scoring, leaving the Astros outfield at Evan Gattis in left, Domingo Santana in center, and Preston Tucker in right. Not exactly the speediest outfield in the world.

Velasquez pitched deep into a game for his second-straight outing. Velasquez walked Salvador Perez and struck out Alex Gordon. Josh Fields replaced Velasquez and gave up a single to Rios. Jarrod Dyson cleared the bases with a triple.

Jose Altuve got on base for the fourth time in the game with a hit-by-pitch. Altuve stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Evan Gattis. Chris Carter hit a hard chopper to third base. Mike Moustakas fielded the ball a fired the ball home.

The umpire ruled Altuve safe in a bang-bang play. Altuve gave himself a chance to score with a excellent slide to backside of the plate. The play was reviewed, and if this was the NFL the umpires would have ruled the "call stands", rather than say the "call is confirmed." The replay simply wasn't clear.

The Astros bullpen shut down the Royals for the final two innings for the win.