Astros end Summer Camp with impressive win over Royals

The Astros picked up from where they left off yesterday with a commanding win over the AL East Kansas City Royals, winning by a score of 15-6 to finish up the final exhibition game before the beginning of the regular season.

The game got off to a strange start when Ryan Pressly was the first pitcher to take the mound for the Astros, instead of planned starter Josh James. Manager Dusty Baker explained that due to weather concerns, James was pulled and would plan to undergo a simulated outing on his return to Houston.

As a result, the Astros were content to pitch by committee -- following a clean 1-2-3 inning, Pressly was followed by fellow reliever Chris Devenski, who allowed two runs before being pulled in the third inning. Bryan Abreu and Enoli Paredes then pitched two innings apiece, with Parades flashing impressive stuff and striking out five batters. Andre Scrubb and Jojanse Torres finished off the remaining innings.

It's hard for most of the Astros hitters to complain about their day at the plate -- of the 18 Astros who came up to bat, twelve of them notched a hit, and only four of them recorded a strikeout. Houston scored once in the first inning, twice in the second, twice again in the fourth, and three times in the fifth. They would go on to score seven more times during the final three innings. Half of the total batters recorded an RBI.

One of those RBIs came by way of a George Springer home run, which traveled 386 feet and just clanked over the right center field wall. He would be joined by Alex De Goti, Taylor Jones, Nick Tanielu, and Aledmys Diaz, all of whom would hit roundtrippers on the day.

Though all the starters were eventually pulled, Jose Altuve would leave early in the bottom of the fourth inning after suffering an apparent leg contusion. He is currently listed as day-to-day, and is "hopeful" to be ready for Opening Day, per Dusty Baker.

The game would be called with one out left to go in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing an end to the game and to the Astros' final summer exhibition. Their next game will be the season opener against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on July 24th.