Rave, Massey Power Royals Past Astros 5-2

Deciding Runs

The Kansas City Royals secured a 5-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The game was decided by a flurry of offensive activity in the late innings, where Kansas City capitalized on Houston's defensive miscues and timely hitting. The final score reflected a 76-76 record for Houston and a 67-85 mark for Kansas City. Attendance at the venue was 28,497. The Royals took the lead and never relinquished it, scoring two runs in the fourth inning and three more in the eighth and ninth to close out the contest.

Scoring Sequence

In the top of the fourth, the Royals opened the scoring with a two-run home run by Rave to right field, traveling 366 feet, which also drove in Massey. The margin expanded in the top of the eighth when Massey hit a solo home run to right, carrying the ball 342 feet. The Royals added two more runs in that same inning when Jensen doubled to right, allowing Collins to score on an error by right fielder Barrosa and Rojas to score on the play. Houston answered in the bottom of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to center by Paredes, scoring Barrosa. In the bottom of the ninth, Diaz hit a solo home run to left, traveling 381 feet, to give Houston their final run.

Pitching Performance

Daniel Lynch IV earned the win for Kansas City, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out three. He was followed by Craig Kimbrel, who pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no earned runs. Nolan Hoffman pitched one-third of an inning, allowing two hits and no earned runs. Anthony Gose pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing no hits, no earned runs, and striking out one. Nate Pearson pitched one inning, allowing one hit, one earned run, and one walk. Steven Cruz pitched one inning, allowing two hits, one earned run, and striking out three. For Houston, Cristian Javier took the loss after pitching five and one-third innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, three walks, and striking out two. Bryan King pitched one and one-third innings, allowing one hit, no earned runs, one walk, and striking out one. Enyel De Los Santos pitched one and one-third innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, two walks, and striking out two. Tatsuya Imai pitched one inning, allowing no hits, no earned runs, one walk, and striking out one.

Sources

ESPN