Astros 4, Royals 0
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Left-hander Scott Kazmir won his first start for Houston and left fielder Preston Tucker went 3-for-5 with a home run as the Astros topped the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Friday night.
Kazmir limited the Royals to three hits over seven innings. The Astros acquired him Thursday from the Oakland Athletics for minor-leaguers Daniel Mengden and Jacob Nottingham.
Kazmir (6-5) has allowed one earned run in 26 1/3 innings over four starts in July. He threw 60 strikes in 91 pitches.
Jeremy Guthrie (7-6) took the loss, allowing four runs on 11 hits over seven innings.
Tucker put the Astros on the board with a home run in the third inning. It was Tucker's fourth home run in his past five games.
The Astros added a second run in that inning as shortstop Carlos Correa walked, advanced to third on designated hitter Evan Gattis' ground-ball single to center and scored on right fielder Colby Rasmus' single to right.
The Astros hiked their advantage to 4-0 in the fourth, with second baseman Jose Altuve and Correa stroking run-producing singles. It could have been a bigger inning, but Altuve was cut down at the plate when he attempted to score on Tucker's double to left. Shortstop Alcides Escobar's relay throw beat Altuve.
Kazmir gave up a first-pitch single to Escobar but retired the next nine batters before third baseman Mike Moustakas singled leading off the fourth.
NOTES: INF Cheslor Cuthbert, who went 5-for-15 in four Royals games in early July, was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. INF Dusty Coleman, who was hitless in five at-bats over four games, was optioned to the Storm Chasers. ... OF L.J. Hoes started Thursday in the Astros' victory over Boston, but he was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Friday to clear roster space for LHP Scott Kazmir. ... OF Alex Presley went through waivers unclaimed and the Astros outrighted him to Fresno. He has three days to report or opt for free agency. ... Royals LHP Danny Duffy, who went a career-high eight innings in his previous start, will start Saturday against the Astros, who will counter with RHP Scott Feldman.