Astros: Yordan Alvarez hits three-run blast in 6-1 win

With the Astros clinging to a one-run lead in the 8th inning, Yordan Alvarez comes off the bench and delivers a three-run, pinch-hit home run, providing the Astros some much-needed breathing room.

After losing to the Oakland A’s three games in a row, the Astros needed to get back to their winning ways, and Kansas City is a perfect place to start. Zack Greinke took the mound for the Astros on Saturday against his former team.

The Royals took an early lead, but Alex Bregman tied things up in the 4th inning with his 36th home run of the year. Bregman also walked three times in the game upping his OPS to .998.

In the top of the 6th inning, Kyle Tucker drove in Bregman to give the Astros a one-run lead. Tucker would end up going 4-for-4 on the night, also stealing two bases. He came up to bat in the 9th with a chance to get a 5th hit but was intentionally walked.

In the 8th inning, after Tucker singled and Robinson Chirinos walked to lead off the inning, the Astros brought in Alvarez to pinch hit for Abraham Toro. On a 2-2 count, Alvarez crushed one over the center-field wall and put the Astros up 5-1.

https://twitter.com/ATTSportsNetSW/status/1173052374061068289

Chirinos would add an RBI single in the 9th to make it 6-1, then with two on in the bottom of the inning, Will Harris picked up the last out. With the win, Houston’s magic number is now down to six to win the A.L. West.

Greinke goes to 16-5 and is now one of two active pitchers to pick up a win against all 30 Major League teams. Wade Miley takes the mound on Sunday to try to complete the sweep. In his last two outings, Miley has allowed 12 runs while recording just one out.