KC Royals open weekend series in Houston with win over Astros. Big 1st inning set tone

The Kansas City Royals keep finding ways to win late-season games.

On Friday, the Royals didn’t have an exorbitant amount of offense. They recorded just five hits against the Houston Astros.

The Royals didn’t hammer the baseball around the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park. They had just two extra-base hits. Yet they figured out a way to defeat the playoff-hopeful Astros, scoring timely runs en route to a 7-5 victory.

In a way, Friday’s game was a microcosm of the Royals’ recent hot streak. They did the little things right and were rewarded.

“If you are given an opportunity for an extra out, you’ve got to try to take advantage of it,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Third baseman Maikel Garcia did that in the first inning. He ran hard down the baseline after striking out and was safely aboard at first base.

The heads-up play was beneficial as shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. hitting a RBI triple.

“I saw that he didn’t catch it and, then, that’s our job,” Garcia said. “Dropped strike, you just run to first and make sure you try to help the team however you can.”

In the fifth inning, Royals starter Cole Ragans allowed a leadoff triple. He ultimately settled down and retired the side. He induced two ground-outs and struck out Astros outfielder Chas McCormick.

Ragans improved to 7-4 with a gutsy performance. He didn’t have his best stuff but navigated the Astros’ lineup for six innings. He allowed three hits, two runs and four walks while striking out four.

“I had a few walks and made some pitches when I needed to make a pitch,” Ragans said. “The offense was relentless once again in giving me a four-run cushion there early. It helped me settle down. A good team win.”

Astros star Jose Abreu tagged him in the second inning. Abreu hit his 17th home run of the season to put Houston on the board.

The Royals responded in the sixth. Outfielder Kyle Isbel hit a key two-run single to expand the lead.

“Anytime you can get insurance runs, it’s huge,” Isbel said. “Guys were in scoring position and I was just trying to battle. Honestly, Framber is a really good pitcher and he had good stuff going all night. Huge credit to our offense in the first couple of innings to get some runs on the board.”

Astros ace Framber Valdez took the loss. He fell to 12-11 after allowing seven runs and striking out 10.

Houston charged back late. McCormick hit a three-run homer against Royals reliever Jackson Kowar. KC held it together as James McArthur extinguished a potential rally and earned his second career save.

“Right now, the goal is to go out there and whatever situation I come in, just try to help the team,” McArthur said. “I’m not trying to put too much pressure on any situation. Just come in and try to make pitches.”

The Royals improved to 52-102 and have won eight of their last nine. With eight games left, the Royals are four losses from tying their worst-ever mark for a season.

Missed previous Royals coverage?

Fall Ball: Royals will send eight players to Arizona Fall League

Offseason plans: Royals faced with questions of whether to spend this offseason

Here are more notables from Friday’s game:

Kyle Isbel delivers in 6th inning

The Royals needed to create separation against the Astros. In the sixth inning, Houston had climbed within two runs.

KC hadn’t scored since a four-run first inning. Valdez had settled down but was running out of gas.

The Astros ace hit two batters to set up a bases-loaded situation. Royals first baseman Nick Pratto collected an RBI groundout, but KC was looking for more.

“I think it’s great,” Isbel said. “Guys in scoring position, getting those guys in and putting points on the board, is always good.”

Isbel was next. He drilled an 88.7 mph cutter into center field, driving in two. The runs were his 30th and 31st RBIs this season.

The Royals took a 7-2 lead and held on to win the series opener.

Bobby Witt Jr. puts Royals on board early

The Royals didn’t waste time against Valdez. In the first inning, KC scored four runs while sending eight batters to the plate.

After Garcia reached base following a strikeout, Witt drove him in with his ninth triple of the year. Witt drilled a line drive into the center-field gap and raced around the bases to third — one of the Royals’ three hits off Valdez in the inning.

It was Witt’s 92nd RBI of the season.

What’s next: The Royals continue their three-game series against the Astros. Jordan Lyles will start Saturday night against Astros hurler J.P. France.