Royals celebrate Cueto deal with 5-1 victory over Astros

Cain belted his 11th home run in the second to push the Royals’ advantage to 5-1.Ventura was sent to the minors Tuesday and brought back Wednesday after a season-ending elbow injury to left-hander Jason Vargas.NOTES: Royals manager Ned Yost opted to give 1B Eric Hosmer and 3B Mike Moustakas a breather, holding them out of the starting lineup Sunday against Astros LHP Dallas Keuchel.

Kansas City loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. The Royals will welcome Johnny Cueto to the bench when they visit the Indians for the start of a three-game series on Monday. He’ll look to rebound in a home outing against the Diamondbacks next time he takes the mound. “We knew that, so it was important for us to get those runs early….” The 27-year-old has won four of his last five starts, including fanning seven over eight frames of a 4-0 triumph versus Kansas City on June 30.

“I attacked hitters by pitching outside and throwing breaking balls for strikes”, said Ventura through an interpreter on today’s performance. The rookie from California had surrendered a total of three runs in 30 1/3 innings through his first four major-league starts. I feel like they were finding every hole in the first inning, but it’s my job to kind of shore up some things and sure enough, I did. On Sunday, he had given up four runs before the first inning was over.

Astros starter Dallas Keuchel allowed five runs on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings, suffering his fifth loss of the season. Omar Infante rolled a single through the hole on the left side to plate two runs, and then Cheslor Cuthbert followed with the first double of his career to score two more. He walked none, hit a batter and struck out five. KC is 55-40 with +22.46 units while Houston is 55-43 good for +13.05 units. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

Lorenzo Cain added a two-out drive in the second for his 11th homer. Designated hitter Evan Gattis led off the inning with his sixth triple and scored on right fielder Colby Rasmus’ single.

Franklin Morales and Luke Hochevar each tossed a ideal inning in relief to finish off the victory.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez (9-5, 3.15 ERA) starts Monday at Cleveland as the Royals open a 10-game trip.