By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
For the first time in the 2024 season the Kansas City Royals have lost five consecutive games after being swept by the Houston Astros in Houston, falling 7-2 on Sunday afternoon.
Starting pitcher Alec Marsh was brilliant through the first three innings, giving up no hits and striking out four, but in the fourth inning the wheels began to fall off.
One day after an incredible home run robbing grab by Garrett Hampson on a hit from Yordan Alvarez, Alvarez got his revenge and blasted a solo shot to right field off of Marsh. Later in the inning after a walk to Ben Gamel, Jon Singleton hit a two run home run to give the Astros a 3-0 lead.
Kansas City scored one in the sixth inning as new Royal Yuli Gurriel, a former Astro, singled to left field driving in MJ Melendez. But the Astros would get the run back in the bottom half as Alvarez hit his second home run of the game.
Bobby Witt Jr would make Royals history in the seventh inning, hitting a home run to left field for his 30th of the season. Witt is now the first player in Royals history with consecutive 30 home run seasons.
The Astros would add the final three runs of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Marsh took the loss for Kansas City pitching five innings and giving up three runs on four hits and striking out five. Another new Royal, Tommy Pham was the leading hitter going 2 for 5
The Royals were swept for just the second time this season and swept in a four-game series for the first time since losing four straight to Boston on June 28-July 1, 2021, at Fenway Park.
Kansas City will now return to Kauffman Stadium for another crucial three game set with the Cleveland Guardians. Michael Wacha will start against Gavin Williams in the series opener on Monday, with first pitch at 3:10pm, pregame airing at 2:30 on KFEQ.