2023-09-23 22:37:38
HOUSTON — Cole Ragans allowed three hits and a pair of runs in an outstanding six-inning effort, and the Kansas City Royals used two brilliant innings to beat the Houston Astros 7-5 on Friday, who fell from the first place in the American West.
Houston, which has lost seven of its last 10 games, fell a half-game behind the Texas Rangers in the West Division. With a record of 39-40 at home this season, the Astros have a half-game lead over Seattle in the fight for the last wild card spot in the playoffs in the American League, with eight games remaining.
The Rangers beat the Mariners 8-5.
Kansas City attacked the Dominican Framber Valdez with four runs in the first act. Bobby Witt Jr. hit an RBI triple, while Puerto Rican MJ Meléndez, Venezuelan Edward Olivares and Nick Loftin also drove in runs.
The Royals scored three more times in the sixth inning.
Ragans (7-4) struck out five and walked four. Valdez (12-11) allowed seven runs — six earned — and four hits over 5 1/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts.
For the Royals, Venezuelans Maikel García 0-4 with one run scored, Olivares 1-2 with one run scored and one RBI. Puerto Ricans Nelson Velázquez 4-0 with one run scored, Meléndez 5-1 with one run scored and one RBI.
For the Astros, Venezuelan José Altuve is 4-2. The Dominicans Jeremy Peña 4-0 with one scored, Yainer Díaz 1-0. The Cubans Yordan Álvarez 4-1 with one RBI, José Abreu 4-2 with two runs scored. Honduran Mauricio Dubón 4-1.
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