Gurriel finished 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored, but it was his second career grand slam that turned the tide fully in favor of the Astros. He struck the decisive blow in the two-out rally against Royals right-hander Jason Hammel (2-9), posting his fourth home run of the season and second in as many days to double the Houston lead to 8-0 in the second.

Houston loaded the bases with one out against Hammel before initiating the rally in bizarre fashion. Nine-hole hitter Tony Kemp reached via an interference call on Royals catcher Drew Butera, forcing home Gurriel, who opened the frame with a double. Two batters later, Alex Bregman worked a bases-loaded walk to bump the lead to 2-0 and set the table for Jose Altuve.

Altuve drilled the first pitch to center, plating Max Stassi and Kemp. And, after Carlos Correa walked to load the bases again, Gurriel lined a 2-1 fastball into the Crawford Boxes in left. Gurriel, who leads the majors batting .464 with runners in scoring position, added a double in the fourth.

Hammel departed after the fourth inning having allowed nine runs (seven earned) on six hits and a season-high five walks with three strikeouts. He dropped his fourth consecutive start.

Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole (9-1) labored a bit but was largely unchallenged. He needed 33 pitches to post a scoreless first, stranding two runners in scoring position. Cole allowed a one-out triple to Abraham Almonte in the second inning and a leadoff homer to Lucas Duda, his fifth, in the fourth, but also set the Royals down in order in the third and fifth innings.

Cole surrendered one run on two hits and three walks with eight strikeouts while throwing 104 pitches over five innings. It marked just the second time in 16 starts that Cole failed to work at least six frames.

--Field Level Media