Astros 0 - 2 Royals
Final
  for this game

Royals blank Astros to finish off sweep

Jun 9, 2013 - 9:48 PM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Alex Gordon singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals completed a three- game series sweep of the Houston Astros with a 2-0 shutout on Sunday.

With Hector Ambriz (1-3) pitching for Houston in the eighth, Chris Getz hit an infield single, stole second base, and scored on Gordon's single. Houston center fielder Trevor Crowe's throw to the catcher went off course, allowing Gordon to reach third. Eric Hosmer then delivered an RBI single to center.

Aaron Crow (2-1) allowed just one hit in the top of the eighth to pick up the win and Greg Holland notched his 12th save with a scoreless ninth to help the Royals win their fifth straight game.

"It feels great," said Gordon. "You know we're going to go on streaks like that. It's a long baseball season. You've got to clear it out of your head and just move on and that's what we did. So we're feeling pretty good right now. Great pitching and defense today. It kept us around long enough to do some damage there in the 8th."

Kansas City starter Luis Mendoza threw seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and a walk, but the Royals recorded just two hits before finally scoring.

The Astros had five hits and lost their fourth straight.

Lucas Harrell also pitched seven shutout innings for Houston, giving up just two hits and three walks before being replaced by Ambriz after 99 pitches.

The Royals had an opportunity to strike early, loading the bases with two outs in the first but Derek Lough's grounder to Jose Altuve ended the frame.

Houston's best chance to score came in the third. Ronny Cedeno hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a ground out by Jose Altuve. However, Jason Castro struck out and Carlos Corporan flew out.

Holland came to pitch in the ninth. He walked Carlos Pena, but got J.D. Martinez to ground into a double play. Holland then struck out Chris Carter to finish the game.

"We're trying to play good baseball," said Pena. "Every single time we go out there we want to make sure that we do the best we can to put the best of us on the field. Sometimes, it just doesn't work out that way. Sometimes you get beat. Today, I think, was one of those days where we got beat. I thought we played a pretty good ballgame."

Game Notes

The Royals have outscored opponents 24-8 during their streak ... Salvador Perez went 3-for-4 for Kansas City ... The Astros were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.






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