Mike Moustakas caps off improbable Comeback with Walk-Off Home Run

Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals slides safley into second base for a double during the 2nd inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium on June 6, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri.

(June 6, 2017 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America)

Mike Moustakas caps off an improbable comeback with a walk-off home run as the Kansas City Royals (25-32) come from six runs down to beat the Houston Astros (42-17) 9-7 in game two of their four-game series. The loss ends Houston’s streak of 11 consecutive wins.

The Astros scored first in the third inning. CF George Springer led off with a double and advanced to third base on an infield single by RF Josh Reddick. 2B Jose Altuve followed with a sacrifice flyball to drive George Sringer home for the first run of the game.

Houston went on to load the based with a walk to SS Carlos Correa, a hit into fielder’s choice by DH Carlos Beltran (Carlos Correa out at second base) and another walk to C Evan Gattis. 1B Yuli Gurriel singled next and drove in Josh Reddick and Carlos Beltran for a 3-0 lead.

Kansas City’s SP Jake Junis threw 32 pitches in the third and ran his pitch count up to 67.

LF Alex Gordon responded in the bottom of the frame with his first home run of the season.

Houston’s bats got even hotter in the fourth inning. George Springer hit a one-out single and scored on a double by Josh Reddick, who followed him home after a two-out single from Carlos Correa. Carlos Beltran hit a home run next and put the Astros up 7-1.

Kansas City’s manager Ned Yost decided to relieve Jake Junis after 3.2 innings and 79 pitches. Jake Junis surrendered 9 hits, 3 walks and 7 earned runs while striking out 1. His ERA and WHIP skyrocketed to 7.84 and 2.42, respectively.

The Royals responded in the bottom of the frame again. With one out 1B Eric Hosmer and C Salvador Perez hit back-to-back doubles to cut the deficit to five runs.

Kansas City scored another run in the sixth inning. Eric Hosmer led off with a double and Salvador Perez reached on catcher’s interference, as Evan Gattis seemed to have touched Salvador Perez’ bat before the ball went into his mitt. DH Mike Moustakas followed with a single and drove in Eric Hosmer.

Houston’s SP David Paulino finished after 5.2 innings of work, allowing 8 hits, 1 walk and 3 earned runs while fanning 4. He now has a 4.66 ERA with a 1.55 WHIP on the year.

In the eighth inning Kansas City tied the game. With one out Salvador Perez, Mike Moustakas and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert hit three consecutive singles, resulting in a run from Salvador Perez. With two outs the Royals loaded the bases when Alex Gordon walked and 2B Whit Merrifield doubled to drive in three runs for a score of 7-7.

The Royals made the improbable possible one inning later. With two outs Salvador Perez singled and Mike Moustakas hit his 15th home run of the season to give Kansas City a 9-7 victory.

Mike Moustakas went 4-for-5 with 2 runs, 1 HR and 3 RBI. He is batting .275 and has 29 runs, 15 HR and 32 RBI this year.