ASTROS 4, ROYALS 2
at Minute Maid Park, Houston
Friday, March 30

Royals at the plate: David DeJesus was 2-for-3 with an RBI double off Woody Williams in the third. Mark Grudzielanek followed with a run-scoring single, giving the Royals a one-run lead. Ryan Shealy and Tony Pena Jr. also singled.

Astros at the plate: Lance Berkman's RBI double in the first inning scored Morgan Ensberg from first. Luke Scott knocked a double in the fourth. Chris Burke led off the seventh with a double and scored on Humberto Quintero's sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2. Scott's two-run homer in the eighth gave the Astros the win.

Royals on the mound: Starter Zack Greinke allowed one run on four hits with no walks and six strikeouts over five frames. Todd Wellemeyer followed with one scoreless frame, allowing one hit and striking out one. Jimmy Gobble gave up the decisive home run to Scott.

Astros on the mound: Woody Williams yielded two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout over four innings. Chad Qualls and Trever Miller each pitched one scoreless frame. Dan Wheeler pitched two, while Rick White pitched the ninth to earn the save.

Spring Training records: Astros 17-11-1; Royals 11-17.

Up next: The Astros and Royals will finish their two-game exhibition series Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1:05 p.m. CT. Left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will face former Houston right-hander Brandon Duckworth.