Carlos Correa (1) and Jose Altuve (27) have played well for the first-place Astros. (Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
HOUSTON — Jose Altuve scored the go-ahead run to cap a seventh-inning rally, and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 6-5, Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park to complete a three-game sweep.
Without the benefit of a hit, the Astros pushed in front in the seventh, manufacturing a run after Altuve reached base to open the frame when he was hit on the right forearm by a pitch from Royals right-hander Kelvin Herrera (1-2). The second baseman stole second base, his 23rd steal on the season, and advanced to third on a ricochet groundout.
Astros designated hitter Chris Carter followed with a ground ball to third baseman Mike Moustakas that scored Altuve ahead of the tag from catcher Salvador Perez, but not without a four-plus-minute replay review after the Royals challenged the close, decisive play at the plate.
The Royals (44-31) rallied in dramatic fashion in the seventh, nudging Astros right-hander Vince Velasquez from the mound before striking against Josh Fields and saddling Velasquez with another no-decision.
Fields was one strike away from preserving the Astros’ two-run lead before surrendering a two-run triple to Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson, a line drive to left-center field that scored both Perez and right fielder Alex Rios, who greeted Fields with a one-out single to left field.
Astros closer Luke Gregerson (3-1) retired the Royals in order in the ninth inning and was credited with the win.
Velasquez wobbled early on, surrendering a two-out triple to Lorenzo Cain before Royals first baseman Kendrys Morales deposited the first pitch of his at-bat into the Crawford Boxes in left field for a two-run home run.
Two batters into the second inning, Velasquez trailed 3-0, victimized by back-to-back singles from left fielder Alex Gordon and Rios to open the frame. Gordon scored from second base after a Velasquez wild pitch advanced him during Rios’ at-bat.
However, following Rios’ hit, Velasquez rebounded to retire 13 consecutive batters. When Cain snapped that streak with a single in the sixth inning, Velasquez induced an inning-ending double play from Morales.
The Astros (47-34) began their rally on behalf of Velasquez in the fourth inning with Carter, who missed belting a three-run home run by mere feet in the first inning, crushing a solo homer with one out that sliced the deficit to 3-1. For Carter, it was his 15th home run this season and 100th of his career, and it signaled the beginning of the end for Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez.
The first five Houston batters reached in the fifth inning off Volquez, with shortstop Marwin Gonzalez igniting the rally with a leadoff home run to right, his fifth, and left fielder Evan Gattis pushing the Astros in front 5-3 with his two-run single to right, scoring center fielder George Springer and Altuve.
Velasquez gave up four runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, while Volquez yielded five runs on eight hits in five-plus innings.
NOTES: Astros manager A.J. Hinch gave SS Carlos Correa the day off, the first time Correa was not in the starting lineup since he made his major league debut on June 8. Over his first 22 games, Correa is hitting .287/.309/.543 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. … With Royals 1B Eric Hosmer sidelined for a third consecutive game with a finger injury, manager Ned Yost utilized Lorenzo Cain as his designated hitter. Cain is slowed by a left hamstring injury that would cost him a spot in the lineup if Hosmer were available and 1B Kendrys Morales were filling his usual role as designated hitter. … Astros RHP Dan Straily will make his season debut Friday in Boston. Acquired from the Cubs on Jan. 19 along with 3B Luis Valbuena, Straily has spent the season with Triple-A Fresno, compiling a 6-6 record and 4.06 ERA. He will make at least two starts with the club before the All-Star Game.
