Astros 9, Royals 7: Brian Bixler hit his first major league home run and drove in three as host Houston outlasted a furious five-run ninth-inning rally to take the series opener from Kansas City.

Justin Maxwell added a homer and three RBIs and Brian Bogusevic chipped in a solo blast for the Astros, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Houston opened up a 9-2 lead with five runs in the eighth but found itself fighting for the win when closer Brett Myers came on in the ninth and surrendered five runs before leaving with the bases loaded and two outs. Left-handed rookie Xavier Cedeno came in and recorded the final out for his first career save.

Bixler, who was playing in his 161st career game spread out over four seasons and three different organizations, took a 1-2 pitch from Jonathan Sanchez in the bottom of the first deep into the left-field stands. The 29-year-old utility man added a single that loaded the bases in a two-run fourth inning and drove in a pair in the eighth.

J.A. Happ (5-7) started for the Astros and allowed two runs and four hits while walking one and striking out three. The left-hander had been knocked around for eight runs and 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings last week.

Houston grabbed two runs in the first on Bixler’s blast and a throwing error by Sanchez that allowed Maxwell to score.

The Astros made it 4-1 in the fourth and opened it up in the eighth, when Bogusevic homered, Bixler doubled in a pair and Maxwell capped it with a two-run blast.

Sanchez (1-3) was charged with four runs — three earned — and six hits while walking four and striking out three in six innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas City had won four of five coming into Minute Maid Park … The Royals started regular designated hitter Billy Butler at first base and used Eric Hosmer as a pinch hitter … Houston signed No. 41 overall draft pick Lance McCullers on Monday.