KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - George Springer hit a grand slam and a triple in Houston's nine-run first inning against Edinson Volquez, and the Astros routed the Kansas City Royals 13-4 on Friday night.
Springer finished with five RBIs, and Colby Rasmus had four hits, including a homer in the eighth, scored three runs and drove in two.
Marwin Gonzalez, Carlos Gomez, Jason Castro and Rasmus all had RBI singles in the first off Volquez (7-7), who retired only three of the 15 batters he faced with 12 scoring, ballooning his ERA more than a full run to 5.15. He gave up 12 runs, 11 earned, and eight hits and walked three. Rasmus scored the other run on Alcides Escobar's error.
The last time the Astros scored nine in the first inning was July 10, 2003, against Cincinnati. The Royals last allowed nine or more in the first on Sept. 23, 2006, when Detroit scored 10.
The huge lead made it easy for Dallas Keuchel, the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner, to pick up only his second victory since April 15 and first since May 28. Keuchel (4-9) gave up four runs and 11 hits, including home runs to Escobar and Cheslor Cuthbert. Escobar's homer was his first since Aug. 21.
Volquez was removed in the second when he walked Carlos Correa and Gomez, sandwiched around Rasmus' single to load the bases without getting an out. All three wound up scoring off reliever Dillon Gee, but the runs were charged to Volquez.
MONDESI RETURNING
IF Raul Mondesi, who became the first player to make his major league debut in the World Series when he struck out as a pinch hitter in Game 3 at Citi Field, will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Wilmington. Mondesi, the Royals' top prospect, was suspended 50 games on May 10 after testing positive for Clenbuterol, a performance-enhancing drug. He is scheduled to return July 4 to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: 3B Luis Valbuena left after one inning with left lower back tightness.
Royals: LF Alex Gordon (broken right wrist) played in his fifth rehab game Friday with Triple-A Omaha and is close to coming off the disabled list. "Alex is doing fine," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We'll re-evaluate after tonight. We'll be anxious to get him back."
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Mike Fiers is 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.
Royals: RHP Chris Young leads the majors with 19 home runs allowed.
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