HOUSTON — Another close game resulted in a win for the Kansas City Royals, as they beat the Houston Astros 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.
With the win, the Royals pulled within 5 games of .500.
Starter Bruce Chen (6-6, 4.81 ERA) gave up one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking two.
Kansas City had a banner day on the mound, fanning a total of 14.
The Astros (28-41, 19-16 home) outhit KC 8-4, but went 1-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 on base.
The Royals (31-36, 20-16 away) were 0-3 with RISP and left two on base.
KC took a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning, after Alex Gordon scored on an error by Astros shortstop Jed Lowrie that caused Yuniesky Betancourt to be safe at first.
Royals relievers Kelvin Herrera, Jose Mijares, and Greg Holland combined for 7 K’s in 2 1/3 innings, making it extremely difficult for the Astros to advance any runners.
Closer Jonathan Broxton (1-1, 1.57 ERA) came up huge again, and recorded his 18th save of the season.
The Royals have Thursday off before they return home for a six-game homestand at the K. The St. Louis Cardinals come to town for the first of three games on Friday night.
