In Thursday afternoon MLB action, the Houston Astros will battle the Kansas City Royals from Kauffman Stadium. The Astros (70-50) are looking to snap a four-game losing streak and hold a two-game lead over Oakland for first place in the AL West Division. Last night, Chas McCormick was thrown out at home on a Jose Altuve single to end the game during a 3-2 road loss against Kansas City.
Twenty-four year old righty Luis Garcia (9-6 3.30 ERA) has been a pleasant surprise for the Astros this season. In his last start, Garcia allowed two runs in six innings during an 8-2 road victory against Los Angeles.
The Kansas City Royals have won the first three games of this series by a 13-9 combined score and are still in last place in the AL Central Division standings. On Wednesday, OF Hunter Dozier put Kansas City ahead to stay with a two-run blast in the seventh inning. SS Nicky Lopez had three hits and scored a run for the Royals (52-67).
The Royals will counter with thirty-three year old left-hander Mike Minor (8-11 5.35 ERA) in the series finale. Kansas City has lost Minor’s last three starts and he has given up 11 runs over his last 18 innings of work.
