Regression was inevitable.
In the first six games of the now departed eight game winning streak the Astros pitching staff allowed only six total runs. In the last two games of the streak, both wins against the Royals, the Astros allowed 13 runs. Tonight, Cristian Javier, who had allowed only one run and one hit in his last 13 innings with 27 strikeouts, allowed five runs and three homers in his first three innings.
In the first two games of the series the Astros bats overcame early deficits. Tonight it was not to be.
The Royals, who scored first in each game in the series, opened this game with three runs in the first on the strength of homers by Whit Merrifield and Hunter Dozier.