Houston Astros vs Kansas City Royals, September 17, 2026

RoyalsKC
2-6
Final
AstrosHOU

September 17, 2026, 7:15 PM ET | Daikin Park

Last 5 Form

Kansas City Royals

1-4

Last 5
L 1-5
@ BOS
L 1-4
@ BOS
L 2-4
@ HOU
W 5-2
@ HOU
L 2-6
@ HOU

Houston Astros

2-3

Last 5
L 2-3
@ TB
L 4-14
@ TB
W 4-2
vs KC
L 2-5
vs KC
W 6-2
vs KC

Starting Pitchers

Kansas City Royals

Seth Lugo headshot
Seth Lugo
Recorded starter

Houston Astros

Miguel Ullola headshot
Miguel Ullola
Recorded starter

Standings Snapshot

Full standings
Season recordsRecord, division and wild card rank, games back. Standings as of Sep 17, 11:25 PM ET
TeamW-LPCTDivWCGB
Kansas City Royals67-86.438#5#1011.0
Houston Astros77-76.503#1N/A-
PCT
winning percentage
Div
division rank
WC
wild card rank
GB
games back

Season Comparison

2026
Kansas City RoyalsHouston Astros
.718
OPS
.732
170
HR
226
690
Runs
734
4.77
ERA
4.45
1.41
WHIP
1.34
1173
Strikeouts by pitchers
1411

Lower is better for ERA and WHIP; bars show each value against the larger of the two.

Top Players

Across up to five recent games with recorded boxscores.

Kansas City Royals

Hitters

Carter Jensen headshot
Carter Jensen

6 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI

John Rave headshot
John Rave

2 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Michael Massey headshot
Michael Massey

5 H, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Pitchers

Daniel Lynch IV headshot
Daniel Lynch IV

5.0 IP, 3 SO, 0.00 ERA

Noah Cameron headshot
Noah Cameron

6.0 IP, 4 SO, 1.50 ERA

Randy Dobnak headshot
Randy Dobnak

5.2 IP, 4 SO, 4.77 ERA

Houston Astros

Hitters

Jeremy Peña headshot
Jeremy Peña

8 H, 3 HR, 4 RBI

Isaac Paredes headshot
Isaac Paredes

3 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Yordan Alvarez headshot
Yordan Alvarez

4 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI

Pitchers

Bryan King headshot
Bryan King

3.0 IP, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA

Ethan Pecko headshot
Ethan Pecko

5.2 IP, 4 SO, 1.59 ERA

Hunter Brown headshot
Hunter Brown

5.0 IP, 10 SO, 1.80 ERA

Top Performers

Picked by MLBDB from this game's box score. MLB's own list of top performers can differ.

Ethan Pecko headshot
Ethan Pecko
Houston Astros, MLBDB pick
Jeremy Peña headshot
Jeremy Peña
Houston Astros, MLBDB pick
Seth Lugo headshot
Seth Lugo
Kansas City Royals, MLBDB pick

Line Score

Houston Astros 6, Kansas City Royals 2: KC 3 hits, HOU 11 hits; KC 0 errors, HOU 0 errors.

Runs by inningThen runs (R), hits (H) and errors (E) for the game
Team123456789RHE
Kansas City Royals100000010230
Houston Astros11002101x6110

Box Score

Batting

Carter Jensen led Kansas City Royals with 2 hits and 1 RBI.

Kansas City Royals batting
PlayerABRHRBIBBSOHR
Carter JensenC3121100
Bobby Witt Jr.SS3000120
Jac CaglianoneDH2000010
Nick LoftinPH1000000
Maikel Garcia3B4000000
Michael Massey2B4000010
Salvador Perez1B3000000
John RaveRF3110010
Kyle IsbelCF3000010
Isaac CollinsLF3000000
Totals29231260

3 players led Houston Astros with 2 hits each.

Houston Astros batting
PlayerABRHRBIBBSOHR
Jeremy PeñaSS5122011
Yordan AlvarezDH4121001
Isaac Paredes3B3010100
Jose Altuve2B4010010
Nick Allen2B0000000
Yainer DiazC4010000
Daulton VarshoCF4111011
Taylor TrammellLF3211111
Cam SmithRF3000020
LaMonte Wade Jr.1B4121011
Totals346116275

Pitching

Seth Lugo went 5.0 innings for Kansas City Royals (5 SO, 4 ER); Ethan Pecko went 5.2 innings for Houston Astros (4 SO, 1 ER).

Pitching lines
PitcherIPHRERBBSOHR
Kansas City Royals
Seth Lugo5.0844154
Connor Thomas1.0211100
Jose Cuas1.0000010
Alex Lange1.0111011
Houston Astros
Miguel Ullola0.2011200
Bryan King1.1000010
Ethan Pecko5.2311040
Bryan Abreu0.1000010
Josh Hader1.0000000
AB
at-bats
R
runs
H
hits
RBI
runs batted in
BB
walks
SO
strikeouts
HR
home runs
IP
innings pitched
ER
earned runs

Scoring Summary

  • T1

    Grounded Into DP Maikel Garcia grounds into a double play, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. Carter Jensen scores. Bobby Witt Jr. to 3rd. Jac Caglianone out at 2nd. Maikel Garcia out at 1st. KC 1, HOU 0

  • B1

    Home Run Jeremy Peña homers (20) on a fly ball to left field. KC 1, HOU 1

  • B2

    Home Run Daulton Varsho homers (12) on a fly ball to right center field. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B5

    Home Run LaMonte Wade Jr. homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. KC 1, HOU 3

  • B5

    Home Run Yordan Alvarez homers (40) on a fly ball to right field. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B6

    Single Jeremy Peña singles on a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia. Taylor Trammell scores. LaMonte Wade Jr. to 3rd. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T8

    Single Carter Jensen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Cam Smith, deflected by first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. John Rave scores. KC 2, HOU 5

  • B8

    Home Run Taylor Trammell homers (8) on a fly ball to right field. KC 2, HOU 6

Play-by-Play

All 69 recorded plate appearances, newest first.

  • T9

    Groundout Michael Massey grounds out to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 2, HOU 6

  • T9

    Groundout Maikel Garcia grounds out, second baseman Nick Allen to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 2, HOU 6

  • T9

    Flyout Nick Loftin flies out to left fielder Taylor Trammell. KC 2, HOU 6

  • B8

    Strikeout Jeremy Peña strikes out swinging. KC 2, HOU 6

  • B8

    Flyout LaMonte Wade Jr. flies out to right fielder John Rave. Cam Smith to 3rd. KC 2, HOU 6

  • B8

    Hit By Pitch Astros challenged (hit by pitch), call on the field was overturned: Cam Smith hit by pitch. KC 2, HOU 6

  • B8

    Home Run Taylor Trammell homers (8) on a fly ball to right field. KC 2, HOU 6

  • B8

    Flyout Daulton Varsho flies out to left fielder Isaac Collins. KC 2, HOU 5

  • T8

    Strikeout Bobby Witt Jr. strikes out swinging. KC 2, HOU 5

  • T8

    Single Carter Jensen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Cam Smith, deflected by first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. John Rave scores. KC 2, HOU 5

  • T8

    Groundout Isaac Collins grounds out to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. John Rave to 3rd. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T8

    Strikeout Kyle Isbel strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T8

    Double John Rave doubles (7) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Cam Smith. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B7

    Flyout Yainer Diaz flies out to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B7

    Strikeout Jose Altuve strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B7

    Flyout Isaac Paredes flies out to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T7

    Groundout Salvador Perez grounds out, shortstop Jeremy Peña to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T7

    Flyout Michael Massey flies out to left fielder Taylor Trammell. KC 1, HOU 5

  • T7

    Flyout Maikel Garcia flies out to right fielder Cam Smith. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B6

    Groundout Yordan Alvarez grounds out, second baseman Michael Massey to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B6

    Single Jeremy Peña singles on a ground ball to third baseman Maikel Garcia. Taylor Trammell scores. LaMonte Wade Jr. to 3rd. KC 1, HOU 5

  • B6

    Double LaMonte Wade Jr. doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Isaac Collins. Taylor Trammell to 3rd. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B6

    Flyout Cam Smith flies out to right fielder John Rave. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B6

    Walk Taylor Trammell walks. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B6

    Groundout Daulton Varsho grounds out, second baseman Michael Massey to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 1, HOU 4

  • T6

    Groundout Jac Caglianone grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 4

  • T6

    Flyout Bobby Witt Jr. flies out to left fielder Taylor Trammell. KC 1, HOU 4

  • T6

    Single Carter Jensen singles on a line drive to center fielder Daulton Varsho. KC 1, HOU 4

  • T6

    Pop Out Isaac Collins pops out to third baseman Isaac Paredes. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B5

    Flyout Yainer Diaz flies out to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B5

    Double Jose Altuve doubles (24) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Isaac Collins. Isaac Paredes to 3rd. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B5

    Single Isaac Paredes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Isaac Collins. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B5

    Home Run Yordan Alvarez homers (40) on a fly ball to right field. KC 1, HOU 4

  • B5

    Lineout Jeremy Peña lines out to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 1, HOU 3

  • B5

    Home Run LaMonte Wade Jr. homers (4) on a fly ball to right field. KC 1, HOU 3

  • B5

    Strikeout Cam Smith strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T5

    Groundout Kyle Isbel grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T5

    Groundout John Rave grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T5

    Lineout Salvador Perez lines out sharply to right fielder Cam Smith. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B4

    Strikeout Taylor Trammell strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B4

    Strikeout Daulton Varsho strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B4

    Single Yainer Diaz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kyle Isbel. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B4

    Pop Out Jose Altuve pops out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T4

    Strikeout Michael Massey strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T4

    Lineout Maikel Garcia lines out to center fielder Daulton Varsho. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T4

    Strikeout Jac Caglianone strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B3

    Lineout Isaac Paredes lines out to left fielder Isaac Collins. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B3

    Single Yordan Alvarez singles on a line drive to left fielder Isaac Collins. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B3

    Groundout Jeremy Peña grounds out, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B3

    Strikeout LaMonte Wade Jr. strikes out swinging. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T3

    Strikeout Bobby Witt Jr. strikes out on a foul tip. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T3

    Groundout Carter Jensen grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 2

  • T3

    Pop Out Isaac Collins pops out to third baseman Isaac Paredes. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B2

    Strikeout Carter Jensen challenged (pitch result), call on the field was overturned: Cam Smith called out on strikes. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B2

    Flyout Taylor Trammell flies out sharply to right fielder John Rave. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B2

    Home Run Daulton Varsho homers (12) on a fly ball to right center field. KC 1, HOU 2

  • B2

    Groundout Yainer Diaz grounds out, third baseman Maikel Garcia to first baseman Salvador Perez. KC 1, HOU 1

  • T2

    Groundout Kyle Isbel grounds out, third baseman Isaac Paredes to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 1

  • T2

    Strikeout John Rave strikes out on a foul tip. KC 1, HOU 1

  • T2

    Lineout Salvador Perez lines out sharply to third baseman Isaac Paredes. KC 1, HOU 1

  • B1

    Grounded Into DP Jose Altuve grounds into a double play, third baseman Maikel Garcia to second baseman Michael Massey to first baseman Salvador Perez. Isaac Paredes out at 2nd. Jose Altuve out at 1st. KC 1, HOU 1

  • B1

    Walk Isaac Paredes walks. KC 1, HOU 1

  • B1

    Flyout Yordan Alvarez flies out to left fielder Isaac Collins. KC 1, HOU 1

  • B1

    Home Run Jeremy Peña homers (20) on a fly ball to left field. KC 1, HOU 1

  • T1

    Groundout Michael Massey grounds out, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. KC 1, HOU 0

  • T1

    Grounded Into DP Maikel Garcia grounds into a double play, second baseman Jose Altuve to first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. Carter Jensen scores. Bobby Witt Jr. to 3rd. Jac Caglianone out at 2nd. Maikel Garcia out at 1st. KC 1, HOU 0

  • T1

    Hit By Pitch Jac Caglianone hit by pitch. Carter Jensen to 3rd. Bobby Witt Jr. to 2nd. KC 0, HOU 0

  • T1

    Walk Bobby Witt Jr. walks. Carter Jensen to 2nd. KC 0, HOU 0

  • T1

    Walk Yainer Diaz challenged (pitch result), call on the field was confirmed: Carter Jensen walks. KC 0, HOU 0