Key facts
- Stephen Kolek pitched 7.2 scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out four.
- Maikel Garcia had three hits, including a two-run double, and drove in three runs.
- Bobby Witt Jr. recorded two singles, two stolen bases, and made two notable defensive plays.
- The Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros 4-0.
- The win ended the Royals' four-game losing streak.
Stephen Kolek delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching into the eighth inning and allowing only five hits, as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Houston Astros 4-0 in their series finale on Sunday. The win snapped the Royals' four-game losing streak.
Kolek (4-1) struck out four batters and issued one walk. He has maintained an impressive streak of allowing seven earned runs or fewer over his last six starts.
Bobby Witt Jr. marked his 26th birthday with a productive outing, recording two singles, two stolen bases, and making two key defensive plays. He notably robbed Astros' Joey Loperfido of a hit with a snagged liner and ended an inning with a grounder to start a double play.
Maikel Garcia was instrumental in the Royals' offense, contributing three hits and three RBIs. He also stole one of Kansas City's four bases off Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti (7-2). Arrighetti, the reigning AL pitcher of the month, matched a season high by surrendering four runs and eight hits over six innings.
The Royals established an early lead in the first inning with singles from Witt and Garcia, making it 1-0. The decisive blow came in the third inning when Garcia hit a two-run double down the left-field line, extending the lead to 3-0 after Jac Caglianone's RBI single.
Despite the Astros managing five hits off Kolek, none resulted in runs. Two runners were erased by double plays, one was picked off, and Yordan Alvarez's on-base streak extended to 21 games despite being stranded in the seventh. Steven Cruz assisted Kolek by securing the final two outs of the eighth inning to maintain the shutout.
Looking ahead, the Astros are set to start RHP Kai-Wei Teng (3-5, 3.71 ERA) against the Tigers on Monday night. RHP Hunter Brown is slated to start Tuesday, his first appearance since March 31 due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain.
The Royals have not yet announced their starting pitcher for Monday night's series opener against the Nationals.