Astros Bats Fall Flat in KC, Lose 3-1

Framber Valdez was the hard-luck loser tonight, going 6.2 innings, allowing only three runs. Although he gave up nine hits, two were of the cheap infield variety, but one of those was the winning run.

On the offensive side, the Astros managed only four hits, scoring their only run on a Carlos Correa RBI double in the third inning. They only managed to place five runners in scoring position.

Positions 1-5 in the batting order were a collective 1 - 17. But young Jake Meyers continues to impress. He was 2 - 3 with a double and the only Astros run scored.

The big blow for the Royals came in the sixth inning. The trouble started when Andrew Benintendi bounced a high grounder fielded by Yuli Gurriel near the pitcher’s mound in a position too far away from first to get Benintendi.

Then Valdez hit the next batter, setting the stage for the Hanser Alberto 2 RBI double down the left-field line.

That was all the Royals would need against the anemic Houston offense, although one bright spot was the new Astro, Pedro Baez, who flashed the stuff he brought from LA, going 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Valdez.

Tomorrow the Royals and Astros do it again. Game time 7:10.

Box score and videos here.