HOUSTON (AP) \u2014 John Rave hit a two-run homer, Michael Massey added a solo shot and the Kansas City Royals beat Houston 5-2 on Wednesday night, dropping the Astros into a first-place tie with the Texas Rangers in the AL West.<\/p>\n
The Astros own the tiebreaker over the Rangers with both teams at 76-76, but this is the first time since Aug. 24 that Houston has not been alone in first place. Whichever team doesn’t win the division could still make the playoffs as a wild card.<\/p>\n
Rave\u2019s sixth homer came in the fourth inning off Astros starter Cristian Javier (2-6).<\/p>\n
Massey led off a three-run eighth inning with his 12th homer of the season and third hit of the night. After the Royals scored another run on a throwing error by right fielder Jorge Barrosa, Carter Jensen capped the frame with an RBI double.<\/p>\n
Daniel Lynch IV (6-5) allowed two hits and struck out three in five scoreless innings. Craig Kimbrel worked around a one-out single to complete a scoreless sixth.<\/p>\n
Nolan Hoffman allowed singles to two of the three batters he faced in the seventh inning, but Anthony Gose ended the threat by striking out pinch-hitter Nelson Velazquez and getting Daulton Varsho to fly out.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Pe\u00f1a was 3 for 4 with a double, his second consecutive three-hit game for Houston. Yainer Diaz homered in the ninth inning.<\/p>\n
Javier allowed two runs on five hits over 5 1\/3 innings for Houston.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
RHP Seth Lugo (7-8, 4.99 ERA) will start for the Royals when the series concludes on Thursday. RHP Miguel Ullola (0-0, 3.38) will start for the Astros as an opener.<\/p>\n