Kansas City Royals’ winning streak reaches 6 games after road sweep of Houston Astros

Minute Maid Park lived up to its reputation Sunday afternoon as the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros took aim at the hitter-friendly confines in an old-fashioned American League slugfest.

The Royals relied heavily on the long ball. KC hit four home runs to power past the playoff-hopeful Astros 6-5 in thrilling fashion.

Royals outfielder Nelson Velázquez fueled the offensive effort. He hit two home runs against Astros starter Hunter Brown. It was his 16th and 17th homers of the season and came in consecutive at-bats.

“We were ready for it,” Velázquez said. “We know he throws hard and we know he has a good breaking ball. We stayed on the fastball all day as that was our approach against him. We stayed on it and made some good swings.”

A pair of veterans also got into the act for the Royals. Third baseman Matt Duffy and captain Salvador Perez each hit solo homers.

Brown dropped to 11-13. He allowed six runs in three innings of work.

KC didn’t score after the third inning. So, it was on the Royals bullpen to quell the Astros’ late comeback.

Royals bulk reliever Alec Marsh allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings. He improved to 3-8 this season while striking out six and issuing two walks.

“My goal was to just bear down and keep making good pitches as I thought it was going to turn,” Marsh said. “I did think it did turn and started getting more swing and miss. I thought it was great and an amazing team win.”

The Astros scored at least one run in four innings. In the fifth, Astros star Yordan Alvarez hit his 29th home run of the season. Meanwhile, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and catcher Yainer Diaz recorded RBIs.

Fellow relievers Tucker Davidson, Carlos Hernandez and James McArthur were also clutch for the Royals. The trio shut the door down the stretch.

“McArthur getting the heart of the order, and especially getting Alvarez, as he did the other night, was really hard to do,” Quatraro said. “Carlos, I feel really happy for him. We know he’s had a tough stretch, but to come here two days in a row and pitch big important innings for us.

“And, you can’t overlook Davidson coming in and getting the two lefties out, which is no easy task.”

McArthur earned his third save by striking out Alvarez to close out the game.

The Royals improved to 54-102 and have won six straight games.

Missed previous games of the series?

Game 1: Royals hold on late to win 7-5 over Astros

Game 2: Royals win fifth consecutive game with 3-2 victory

Here are more notables from Sunday’s game:

Royals hit back-to-back homers

KC broke out the lumber against the Astros on Sunday. The Royals hit back-to-back homers in the third inning to take an early lead.

Royals captain Salvador Perez, who returned Sunday from the seven-day concussion injured list, hit his 22nd homer of the season. Next, Velázquez blasted his second home run of the game off Brown.

“The first one I ran pretty hard as I didn’t know it was going to be a homer,” Velázquez said. “The second one, I knew I got it.”

The Royals have hit back-to-back homers three times this season. The last instance came on Sept. 1 against the Boston Red Sox.

Velázquez also became the latest Royals player to hit two homers in a game.

KC has done it eight times this year. Outfielder Edward Olivares was the last player to homer twice, Sept. 4 against the Chicago White Sox.

“Every time you hit a homer, you feel happy,” Perez said. “Especially if we win.”

Alec Marsh protects one-run lead

The Astros were making a run in the fifth inning. Houston trailed 6-4 and the heart of the order was due up.

The Royals needed Marsh to maintain their advantage. But it wouldn’t be a simple task, thanks to Alvarez.

Alvarez clobbered a solo home run off the center-field facade. The homer traveled 410 feet and had a 109.2 mph exit velocity.

The Astros had pulled within one run.

Marsh was not deterred. He settled in and retired seven of the next eight batters he faced, getting three consecutive strikeouts to end the fifth. Marsh struck out Jose Abreu, Chas McCormick and Diaz swinging.

“To see him get better as he went was really impressive,” Quatraro said.

What’s next: The Royals are off Monday before beginning a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.