KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alcides Escobar hit a bases-loaded double, Alex Gordon matched a career high with four RBI and the Kansas City Royals cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday and a sweep of their day-night doubleheader.

Escobar fell behind 0-2 against Brandon Gomes (1-4) in the sixth inning before battling back to a full count. On the 11th pitch of the at-bat, Escobar yanked a fair ball just down the third-base line, emptying the bases and breaking a 1-all deadlock.

Brandon Finnegan (2-0), Luke Hochevar and Ryan Madson made the lead stand in relief of Royals starter Edinson Volquez, who allowed only John Jaso’s homer in five innings.

The victory in Game 2 came after Paulo Orlando hit a ninth-inning grand slam to give Kansas City a 9-5 win in the opener. It also stuck Tampa Bay with its ninth loss in 10 games.

The doubleheader was caused by a massive storm that caused numerous tornado warnings in the Kansas City area Monday night. While it was cloudy and dry for Game 1 on Tuesday, steady rain fell throughout the nightcap, forcing many fans to watch from the concourse.

In the opener, the Rays had rallied to tie it at 5 before Orlando came to the plate in the ninth. All-Star closer Brad Boxberger (4-5) threw him a changeup and the Brazilian pounded it into the bullpen in left for his first career slam.

“Just one of those days when I couldn’t make a pitch when I needed to,” Boxberger said.

The Rays had just tied the game off Royals closer Greg Holland (3-0), who allowed a leadoff triple to Kevin Kiermaier in the ninth but looked as if he may get bailed out.

Kiermaier slid over the bag and was tagged, but umpire Chris Segal ruled he got back in time. The call stood after a review of 4 minutes, 12 seconds. Holland then walked Curt Casali and struck out Grady Sizemore before a wild pitch allowed Kiermaier to score the tying run.

Gordon homered and Kendrys Morales also drove in a pair of runs for the Royals, who won despite playing an unorthodox lineup due to injuries and other circumstances.

All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain got the doubleheader off due to an ailing hamstring. Third baseman Mike Moustakas missed both games on the bereavement list. And All-Star catcher Salvador Perez got the opener off because he was due to start the nightcap.

James Loney and Evan Longoria each homered in the opener for Tampa Bay.

“It wasn’t our cleanest day,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Game 1, but summing up the doubleheader nicely. “We know we have to play clean baseball. We did not today.”

NEWS AND NOTES

Jaso had been on the DL since bruising his left wrist on opening day. … Royals 3B Cheslor Cuthbert started both games. He got his first career hit in the third inning of the opener. … The Royals have had five game-ending grand slams, the last by Justin Maxwell two years ago.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (strained left oblique) made his second rehab start Monday at Triple-A Charlotte: He allowed two hits and a walk in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas (left flexor strain) was supposed to throw 60 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday. That will happen Wednesday because of the doubleheader.

UP NEXT

Rays: RHP Chris Archer (9-5) starts Wednesday against Kansas City for the first time since becoming an All-Star on Monday.

Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (6-5) tries to beat Tampa Bay for the third straight time.

— Associated Press —

NEW YORK — A record six Kansas City Royals were picked for the All-Star Game, with players electing pitcher Wade Davis, and AL manager Ned Yost of Kansas City selecting reliever Kelvin Herrera.

They join Royals outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez and shortstop Alcides Escobar, who were elected on Sunday as starters.

“The one thing that Kelvin did that a lot of these guys didn’t do was pitch in Game 7 of the World Series last year,” said Royals manager Ned Yost, who will manage the AL squad. “That was kind of the deciding factor for me.”

Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas is among the five players on the AL fan ballot for the 34th and final roster spot.

Less than three months after making his major league debut, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is an All-Star, one of two rookies selected along with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson.

The 23-year-old Bryant made his big league debut April 17 and began Monday with a .279 average, 12 homers and 49 RBIs.

“Obviously, I’ve been at some All-Star Games, but I don’t think anything can compare to making the major league All-Star team,” he said. “It is kind of weird right now. We have a game in an hour, so I’m trying not to get too excited and whatnot, but obviously it’s pretty cool.”

He’s open to participating in the Home Run Derby.

“It’s all happened so quick. I’ve just been having so much fun with this, my baseball career,” Bryant said. “Right now, it’s a pretty special feeling for me.”

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal also was a first-time selection Monday for the July 14 game in Cincinnati. Grandal became the third All-Star this year who served a drug-related suspension following MLB’s investigation of the Biogenesis of America clinic. Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz and St. Louis shortstop Jhonny Peralta were elected by fans to start.

Albert Pujols of the Angels will start at first base for the AL in place of Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, who injured a calf muscle Friday. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen will start in the NL outfield instead of Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton, who broke his hand June 26.

There was no room on the roster for Alex Rodriguez, who is enjoying a renaissance in his return to the New York Yankees following a season-long drug suspension.

The three-time MVP, who turns 40 on July 27, has 16 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Yankees after missing last year because of a drug suspension.

“We talked a lot about Alex Rodriguez,” Yost said. “I just felt very strongly if we could get another infielder or another outfielder out of that five-man vote, it would help us.”

The league that wins the All-Star Game gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

Rodriguez is hitting .284 during a season in which he passed Willie Mays for fourth on the career home-run list and topped 3,000 hits. But Texas’ Prince Fielder, who was elected by players, joined Cruz as the only DHs on the AL roster.

“As I’ve said all season, my number one goal is helping the Yankees win a championship. I’m excited that we’re in a good position to get there,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Of course, it would have been an honor to represent the American League next week, but I’ll have fun cheering on the guys who were put on the team and watching them protect home field.”

Yankees reliever Dellin Betances was elected by players, and first baseman Mark Teixeira was picked to fill Cabrera’s roster spot. But this will be the first All-Star Game with no Yankees starters since 1999.

St. Louis tops the NL with five players. Peralta was elected to start along with outfielder Matt Holliday, who isn’t sure when he’ll be activated from the disabled list. Catcher Yadier Molina and reliever Trevor Rosenthal were elected by players, and NL manager Bruce Bochy of San Francisco picked pitcher Michael Wacha.

Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman was elected by players and is the second member of the hometown Reds on the NL roster. Third baseman Todd Frazier was elected to start.

Pittsburgh pitcher A.J. Burnett, in his 17th and what he says will be his final season, became an All-Star for the first time. At 38, he’s the oldest player headed to the game.

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper, a three-time All-Star at age 22, is the youngest. Harper said Monday he won’t participate in the Home Run Derby because his father isn’t available to pitch to him following shoulder surgery.

There are 16 All-Stars born outside the 50 states, including six Venezuelans, five Dominicans, three Cubans, one Canadian and one Puerto Rican.

AL starting pitchers include Seattle’s Felix Hernandez, Detroit’s David Price, Chicago’s Chris Sale, Houston’s Dallas Keuchel, Oakland’s Sonny Gray and Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer. Among the NL starting pitchers are Washington’s Max Scherzer, San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner, the Dodgers’ Zack Greinke, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom, Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole and Atlanta’s Shelby Miller.

“New team. New league. It’s just getting a look at everybody,” said Scherzer, who left Detroit to sign a $210 million deal with the Nationals. “Everybody’s getting their first look at me and the things I’ve done. I’m sure they’ll make adjustments the rest of the year. That’s why it’s going to be a difficult challenge for me.”

Joining Moustakas on the ballot for the AL’s final spot are Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Detroit outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier and Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. The NL ballot includes pitchers Johnny Cueto of Cincinnati, Jeurys Familia of the Mets, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Carlos Martinez of the Cardinals along with Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Voting runs until Friday afternoon.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The AL champion Kansas City Royals had so many starters voted into the All-Star Game on Sunday that they ran out of seats for all of them.

Not that it was a problem.

Salvador Perez, their affable catcher, simply hopped off the platform and grabbed his own chair from the crowd. With a good-natured smile, he carried it back onto the stage and settled in alongside shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon.

Cut the Royals some slack, though. This is the first time in franchise history that they’ve had four starters voted into the Midsummer Classic, and the most players they’ve had total since George Brett led five All-Stars onto the 1982 team. The last time Kansas City had any starters was 2000, when outfielder Jermaine Dye was chosen to start.

”I really do feel great,” said Royals manager Ned Yost, who will have his entire coaching staff along with him when he manages the AL squad on July 14 in Cincinnati.

”We’re going to have a blast,” he said. ”The All-Star game is an experience you never forget, and to do it with so many of our teammates there is really special.”

The Royals could have a whole bunch more, too.

Relief pitcher Wade Davis, who is 4-1 with a 0.25 ERA, is a near-lock to make the squad when pitchers and reserves are announced Monday night. An injury to first baseman Miguel Cabrera could also open a spot for Eric Hosmer, who for a while had been leading the voting at their position.

Regardless, one more addition would match the franchise record of five total players set in 1982, when George Brett started the game and Hal McRae, Dan Quisenberry, Frank White and Willie Wilson were part of the festivities at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

”It’s just been the support of our fans, really, over the last two years,” said Gordon, making his third straight All-Star appearance. ”Winning brings attention and that’s what we’ve been doing. I think we play with a lot of energy, a lot of fun. People have noticed it.”

For years, the Royals only had the minimum of one All-Star, and often it was a token player who was hardly deserving – Mark Redman and Gil Meche, for example.

But after their impassioned run to the World Series a year ago, the Royals became the darlings of not only Kansas City but much of the country. And the result was millions of votes cast in their favor in the first balloting to be done entirely online, a number so overwhelming that many pundits began to argue that the system for voting All-Star starters must be changed.

At one point, the Royals had eight players leading the voting at their respective positions, and second baseman Omar Infante – hitting just .231 this season – was still tops in the AL in the final update before getting overtaken by Houston’s Jose Altuve at the finish.

”Thanks to the fans. Thanks for the support, for coming to the ballgame every day,” said Perez, who will also be making his third All-Star appearance but, like Gordon, will start for the first time. ”When we see all those fans, we play a little more aggressive to win the game.”

Tempting as it might be for Yost to fill out his roster with the ones who were overtaken – Infante, Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas and designated hitter Kendrys Morales – he insisted Sunday that he will use his few selections on the players that are most deserving.

”It’s hard,” he said, ”but I want to do the right thing here, for everybody. The integrity of the All-Star game is important for me. I want to do the right thing – I want to do the right thing for Major League Baseball, I want to do the right thing for each organization and I want to do the right thing for each player, so I can go to bed at night and my conscience is clear.”

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals manager Ned Yost treats just about every game the same, especially in July, because the reality is that they all count the same at the end of the season.

So when he singles one out, it must have been important.

Eric Hosmer drove in Lorenzo Cain with nobody out in the ninth inning Sunday, helping Kansas City beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 and earn a four-game split between AL Central contenders.

“It’s huge. It’s as big a game as you’re going to play in early July,” Yost said, his own head drenched in sweat. “Very seldom do you have a chance to make it a two-game swing.”

The game was knotted two-all when Cain drew a leadoff walk against Blaine Boyer (2-4), who had been summoned to relieve Ervin Santana after a masterful return from his drug suspension.

Twins manager Paul Molitor then called upon Aaron Thompson to face Hosmer, who promptly ripped a pitch down the right-field line. Cain sprinted around third base at full speed, and a throw from Torii Hunter in right field was nowhere close to getting him at the plate.

Greg Holland (2-0) earned the win with a scoreless ninth inning.

“This is a good team and they’re playing well,” said Alex Gordon, who homered along with making several stellar plays in left field. “It’s good to come out with two games, especially when I don’t feel like we’re playing our best baseball.”

Aaron Hicks homered and Miguel Sano drove in the other run for Minnesota.

The victory allowed the first-place Royals to salvage what had been a rough series against the Twins, who remain in second in the division. Kansas City was shut out in the opener, needed extra innings to win Friday night, then lost 5-3 on Saturday.

Santana certainly didn’t look like he had missed 80 games for testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. After winning each of three rehab starts at Triple-A Rochester, he made his former team look like just another minor league club.

Santana retired the first six batters he faced before issuing a walk, and then got a double play after Butera drove in Kansas City’s first run in the third inning.

Santana only allowed one more hit before Alcides Escobar’s two-out knock in the eighth, though it happened to be a big one: Gordon’s high fly ball that just cleared the right-field wall.

“I was laughing in between innings,” Santana said of facing his old team, where his career experienced a resurgence. “At the same time, I had to get them out. I know we were teammates, but when we get between those lines everything changes.”

Besides, the Royals’ pitching staff was just as tough.

Danny Duffy continued his renaissance by allowing two runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings. It was his third straight solid start since returning from the disabled list.

Ryan Madson and Wade Davis got the game to Holland, who wound up with the win.

“Walk-off wins are definitely fun, especially against a team in our division,” Hosmer said. “We’re not playing our best baseball right now and we know that. We’ll take a win against those guys when we’re not playing our best.”

MOOSE EXITS

Royals 3B Mike Moustakas left the game for what Yost called “a family emergency.” Dusty Coleman replaced him in the sixth inning and struck out in his first major league at-bat. Coleman also flied out in the eighth inning.

STILL BULLDOZING

Twins 2B Brian Dozier began the day with 44 extra-base hits, most in the American League. He added to that total with a double in the eighth, though he wound up getting stranded.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP Ryan Pressly had an MRI exam on his right shoulder Sunday, though results were not available. Pressly strained the shoulder during Saturday’s game.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura (elbow nerve) will throw a side session Monday rather than make a rehab start, Yost said. Ventura could return Thursday against Tampa Bay.

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Phil Hughes starts in the opener of a three-game series against Baltimore.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez takes the mound to start a four-game set against Tampa Bay.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Mauer hit a two-run homer in his first four-hit game in nearly two years, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 Saturday night.

Mauer, who is 13 for 28 against Royals starter Joe Blanton, homered with Brian Dozier aboard in a three-run first. Aaron Hicks’ grounder scored Trevor Plouffe, who missed the cycle by a home run, with the other run.

Plouffe’s tripled scored Mauer in the fifth to extend the lead to 4-0.

The last time Mauer had four or more hits in a game was Aug. 14, 2013, when he had five hits in a 12-inning game against Cleveland.

Glen Perkins pitched a flawless ninth for his major league-leading 27th save.

Twins starter Mike Pelfrey was chased after the Royals’ first four hitters in the fifth reached base. Kansas City loaded the bases singles by Omar Infante and Alcides Escobar, and a four-pitch walk to Mike Moustakas. Lorenzo Cain followed with a two-run single to left, prompting Minnesota manager Paul Molitor to replacing Pelfrey with Brian Duensing.

The Royals got another run that inning when Moustakas scored on Kendrys Morales’ ground out.

Pelfrey, who lasted just two innings in his previous start, was charged with three runs and seven hits with three walks in four-plus innings. In his past five starts, Pelfrey is 0-3 with an 8.51 ERA, leaving three after no more than four innings.

Duensing (3-0), the second of seven Twins pitchers, was credited with the victory.

The Twins increased their lead in the seventh on Torii Hunter’s sacrifice fly.

Blanton (2-2) gave up four runs and nine hits with four strikeouts in five innings. After winning his first two starts, Blanton has allowed nine runs, 14 hits and four walks in 7 2/3 innings over his past two starts.

The AL Central-leading Royals have lost five of six, while the second-place Twins have pulled to 3 1/2 games back.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP Ryan Pressly left in the seventh inning with a right shoulder strain after giving up a single to Escobar.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura (ulnar nerve irritation) will make his third rehab start Monday for Triple-A Omaha. Manager Ned Yost said Ventura’s bullpen session Thursday went “great.”

UP NEXT

Twins: RHP Ervin Santana, who was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug, will make his first start Sunday. He went 9-10 with a 3.24 in 2014 with Kansas City.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy will make his third start since coming off the disabled list. He is 4-1 with a 2.37 ERA in 10 games against the Twins.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Lorenzo Cain had a hand’s on approach in the Kansas City Royals’ come-from-behind victory.

Cain had three hits and scored the winning run in the 10th inning as the Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Friday night to snap a season-high four-game losing streak.

Cain led off the bottom of the 10th with a double, went to third on a wild pitch by Aaron Thompson (1-3) and scored on Jarrod Dyson’s fielder’s choice grounder to first baseman Joe Mauer.

“I knew I was definitely safe,” Cain said. “I felt my hand get in there before he tagged me. I was going on contact, but I kind of hesitated for a split second.”

Cain’s head first slide beat catcher Kurt Suzuki’s tag.

“He beat it,” Suzuki said. “He’s pretty fast. The play happens so fast. You have to be ready to make the play, to catch it and put the tag down. He’s going on contact. It was a chopper. Speed kills.”

The Twins challenged the call, but after a 99-second review the ruling on the field stood.

Wade Davis (4-1) worked a spotless 10th and lowered his ERA to 0.26.

The Royals tied it 2-2 in the eighth off Casey Fien when Kendrys Morales’ two-out single drove home Cain, who had singled and stole second. Morales leads the Royals with 51 RBI.

“We definitely need this win,” Cain said. “We lost four in a row and it was definitely tough to go through. We found a way to get it done in the 10th.”

The Royals muffed a chance to win it in the ninth when they loaded the bases with one out, but came away empty after Mike Moustakas flied out to Aaron Hicks in shallow right-center. Pinch-runner Dusty Coleman, making his major league debut, was at third and started home, but then stopped about half way down and was caught in a rundown.

“It’s my fault,” Coleman said. “I should have been at full speed, making them make the play at home.”

Coleman ran for Salvador Perez, who led off the inning with a single. After Alex Rios’ single, Omar Infante’s sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to second and third and Alcides Escobar was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Minnesota super prospect Miguel Sano had a double, an RBI and scored a run in his second major league game.

Sano opened the fifth with a double to left-center, advanced to third on Eduardo Escobar’s infield single and scored on Hicks’ sacrifice fly.

Sano’s second-inning single scored Eddie Rosario, who led off with a double.

Left-hander Tommy Milone limited the Royals to one run and five hits, while striking out five and walking two in six innings.

Milone gave up a run and three hits in the third. Cain’s two-out single scored Rios.

Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie allowed two runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings, throwing a season-high 110 pitches.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: OF Shane Robinson was placed on the family emergency list to be with his 8-month-old daughter Harper in Boston after complications from esophagus surgery. Robinson is not anticipated to rejoin the team until Monday at the soonest. The Twins recalled Hicks from Triple-A Rochester, where he was on a rehab assignment. He went on the DL on June 13 with a strained right forearm.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura (irritated ulnar nerve) threw about a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday. He will likely require another rehab start before coming off the DL.

UP NEXT:

Twins: RHP Mike Pelfrey is winless in his past four starts with an 8.85 ERA. He yielded eight runs and nine hits in two innings Monday in a loss at Cincinnati, his shortest outing since May 21, 2013.

Royals: RHP Joe Blanton is 5-6 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 starts against Minnesota.

COLON SENT DOWN

INF Christian Colon, who was the fourth pick in the 2010 draft, was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Manager Ned Yost said they want to get more playing for Colon, who had only 78 at-bats in the Royals’ first 76 games. The Royals promoted Coleman from Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .280 in 43 games.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kyle Gibson threw eight innings of four-hit ball, Danny Santana and Eduardo Escobar had RBI triples, and the Minnesota Twins beat the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals 2-0 Thursday night.

Gibson (6-6) stranded a pair of runners in the eighth before turning the lead over to Glen Perkins, who remained perfect in 26 save attempts. Perkins is two saves shy of matching Eddie Guardado (116) for third-most in Twins history.

The Royals’ Chris Young (7-4) dodged trouble for most of 5 1/3 innings, the only run he allowed coming on a triple by Santana in the fifth. The big, lanky right-hander turned over a 1-0 deficit to the game’s best bullpen, but his offense was unable to bail him out.

It was a good way to start the four-game set for the second-place Twins, who dropped four of their first six on a 10-game road trip.

Kansas City has lost four straight. Two of them have been shutouts.

The fact that the Royals were even in the game was surprising. The Twins collected five extra-base hits — including the run-scoring triples — and had runners advance three times when Young threw a pitch that got away from Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

Then again, all Minnesota needed was a run against the slumping Royals.

Two of Kansas City’s four hits were bunts against the shift, and the hardest-hit ball — a single by Lorenzo Cain in the fourth — led to the most frustrating frame of the night: Kansas City went on to load the bases before Perez struck out looking to end the inning.

Not that it should have been surprising that Gibson shut them down.

The former University of Missouri star came into the game with 4-2 record and 2.68 ERA in six starts against the Royals. Even in a relatively poor start against them in June, when he took the loss at Target Field, Gibson’s sinker still drove the Kansas City hitters to fits.

Just as it did again on Thursday night.

SANO’S DEBUT

Miguel Sano, one of baseball’s top prospects, made his big league debut for Minnesota. The power hitter from the Dominican Republic was the designated hitter and beat out an infield single for his first career hit in the ninth inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP Ricky Nolasco received another opinion on bone chips in his right ankle, but no decision has been made on a course of treatment. … CF Byron Buxton (sprained left thumb) is still dealing with swelling, though manager Paul Molitor said he is improving.

Royals: 1B Eric Hosmer (sprained right ring finger) was back in the starting lineup. … LHP Jason Vargas (left flexor strain) threw 40 pitches in a simulated game. He’ll throw 60 pitches on Tuesday. “It was very encouraging,” manager Ned Yost said.

UP NEXT

Twins: Molitor officially announced that RHP Ervin Santana will return from his suspension to start the series finale Sunday. LHP Tommy Milone takes the mound Friday night and RHP Mike Pelfrey gets the start Saturday.

Royals: RHP Jeremy Guthrie tries to continue his dominance Friday at Kauffman Stadium, where he is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA over his last four starts.

— Associated Press —

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve had three hits and scored the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning to help the Houston Astros complete a three-game sweep of a the Kansas City Royals with a 6-5 win on Wednesday night.

The game was tied at 5 in the seventh when Kelvin Herrera (1-2) plunked Altuve on the forearm. Altuve stole second and reached third on a lineout. He put Houston on top when he beat the tag at the plate on a fielder’s choice by Chris Carter.

The play was reviewed and upheld.

The Astros trailed early before taking a 5-3 lead after a four-run fifth inning. A two-run triple by Jarrod Dyson off Josh Fields tied it in the seventh before Altuve scored the go-ahead run.

Luke Gregerson (3-1) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.

Carter and Marwin Gonzalez hit solo homers for Houston and Evan Gattis drove in two runs.

— Associated Press —

HOUSTON (AP) — Dallas Keuchel allowed seven hits in eight innings to lead the Houston Astros to a 4-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

The performance comes after Keuchel (10-3) threw a six-hit shutout in a win over the New York Yankees in his previous start. Keuchel struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter to lower his ERA to 2.03. Pat Neshek allowed one hit in the ninth.

George Springer had a two-run homer in the third inning. Jose Altuve drove in a run in the fifth to help Houston to the victory.

The Astros have taken the first two games of this matchup of teams with the best records in the American League. Houston is 46-34 and Kansas City is 44-30.

Kansas City starter Danny Duffy (2-4) allowed six hits and four runs in 6 2/3 innings in his second start since returning from the disabled list.

Keuchel has been a workhorse for the Astros, working at least six innings in 28 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors.

Lorenzo Cain had three hits for Kansas City, including two doubles, but the rest of the lineup fizzled. The Royals produced more than one hit in only one inning while being shut out for the second time in a week.

Keuchel got a little help from his defense when Springer robbed Omar Infante of a hit to center field. Springer raced and made an over-the-shoulder catch for the third out of the seventh inning.

Marwin Gonzalez singled with two outs in the third inning before Springer’s soaring shot, which bounced off the foul pole in left field to make it 2-0 and snapped Springer out of an 0 for 8 slump.

Evan Gattis tripled with one out in the fourth inning. The fly ball sailed just out of reach of the glove of Cain, who raced up Tal’s Hill in center to try and grab it and instead crashed to the ground and into the padded wall after missing coming up short. Gattis already has four triples this season after tripling just once in his first two years in the majors.

Chris Carter walked on a wild pitch by Duffy, which sailed over catcher Drew Butera’s head, and allowed Gattis to score and make it 3-0.

Springer drew a one-out walk in the fifth inning before scoring on a double by Altuve to push Houston’s lead to 4-0.

Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar, who was scratched from Monday’s game with a bruise on his index finger, went 1 for 4.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: 1B Eric Hosmer missed a second straight game and will likely miss Wednesday’s game too with a sprained left ring finger. Manager Ned Yost said he isn’t sure when Hosmer will return, but doesn’t expect him to be out too long. Hosmer said he was feeling better on Tuesday and that most of the swelling was gone.

Astros: OF Colby Rasmus was out for the fourth straight game because of a skin infection on his left arm caused by a bug bite. Manager A.J. Hinch said Rasmus spent Monday night in the hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics to try to eliminate the infection and that he remained there on Tuesday. Hinch said they hope Rasmus responds to treatment and can avoid going to the disabled list. … OF Jake Marisnick, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday. … RHP Scott Feldman (arthroscopic knee surgery) threw 45 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday and Hinch said he looked good. Feldman will throw a bullpen in two days and then likely go on a rehabilitation assignment.

UP NEXT

Houston rookie Vince Velasquez (0-0) tries for his first win in his fifth major league start when he opposes Kansas City’s Edinson Volquez (8-4) in the series finale. Velasquez has a 3.72 ERA, but has not factored in the decision in any of his first four starts. Volquez looks for his fifth straight win.

— Associated Press —

HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Carter and Jose Altuve homered to back a solid start by rookie Lance McCullers, and the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 6-1 on Monday night.

In a matchup of teams with the best records in the American League, Houston snapped Kansas City’s four-game winning streak. The Royals are 44-29 and the Astros are 45-34.

McCullers (4-2) allowed four hits and a run with six strikeouts in seven innings in his ninth major league start.

The Astros jumped on Joe Blanton (2-1) for five runs in the first three innings and Carter added a solo home run in the fifth to help them to the win.

Blanton, who didn’t walk anyone in his first two starts this season, struggled with control, walking four and giving up five runs and five hits in just 2 2/3 innings. It was his first loss since Aug. 20, 2013. He was out of baseball in 2014 and started this season 2-0 with a 1.73 ERA after being called up from Triple-A Omaha.

McCullers held the Royals scoreless until a solo homer by Salvador Perez cut the lead to 6-1 in the seventh inning.

He retired nine in a row after a single by Alex Gordon to start the second inning. Rios singled to start the fifth, but McCullers still faced the minimum in that inning after Christian Colon grounded into a double play.

Jarrod Dyson drew a walk to start the sixth but he set down the next three batters to end the inning.

The Royals were without shortstop Alcides Escobar and first baseman Eric Hosmer, who both sat out with finger injuries.

Luis Valbuena singled with no outs in the second before Blanton walked Jon Singleton and Preston Tucker with one out to load the bases. A third consecutive walk, this one by Domingo Santana, made it 1-0.

Jason Castro’s sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 2-0 before George Springer struck out to end the inning.

Altuve led off the second with a homer to the Crawford Boxes in left field to make it 3-0.

Valbuena singled with one out before Singleton drew a two-out walk. A bloop single by Tucker scored Valbuena and a single by Santana drove in another run to make it 5-0 and chase Blanton.

Carter added a solo homer off of Brandon Finnegan in the fifth inning to snap an 0-for-7 slump.

Singleton doubled in the eighth inning for his first hit since being called up from Triple-A Fresno on Friday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Escobar was scratched Monday with a bruise on his index finger. … Hosmer was out with a sprained left ring finger and manager Ned Yost said he probably won’t play during this series, which ends on Wednesday. Hosmer was injured on Saturday and left Sunday’s game early with the problem. He had improved on Monday and the swelling in his finger was subsiding.

Astros: OF Colby Rasmus was for the third straight game because of a skin infection on his left arm caused by a bug bite. Manager A.J. Hinch said Rasmus received intravenous antibiotics on Monday to try to eliminate the infection. He is day to day. … OF Jake Marisnick, who is on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring, is improving and could start a rehabilitation assignment soon. … RHP Scott Feldman (arthroscopic knee surgery) will throw a simulated game in Houston on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel (9-3) opposes Danny Duffy (2-3) when the series continues on Tuesday. Keuchel, who is second in the AL with a 2.17 ERA, threw his third complete game of the season in his last start, a 4-0 win over the Yankees on Thursday.

— Associated Press —