Luke Hochevar allowed five hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings as the Royals downed the Astros 2-0 in Houston on Tuesday night.
Billy Butler hit a solo homer in the top of the first inning, and that would turn out to be all the Royals needed. Along with the five hits, Hochevar walked four and struck out six.
In the third inning, Alcides Escobar singled home Yuniesky Betancourt to double the lead to 2-0. Butler went 2-for-3 with the home run and a walk, while Escobar went 2-for-4. Jonathan Broxton allowed one walk in the ninth, but picked up his 17th save of the season. The teams will play the rubber match in a day game on Wednesday.
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