The Kansas City Royals got seven stellar innings from starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, but couldn’t get an eighth from him as the Houston Astros tagged him for two additional runs in a 4-3 loss Wednesday, May 14 at Daikin Park in Houston.

Lorenzen entered the eighth inning having allowed two runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out five. After giving up a one-out single to Zach Dezenzo, Lorenzen allowed pinch-runner Chas McCormick to score the tying run with a double to Mauricio Dubón. The Royals brought in Carlos Estévez to cap the damage, only for Jeremy Peña to single in the winning run that was also charged to Lorenzen.

The Royals had built a 3-1 lead after five innings, with Maikel Garcia homering in the second and adding an RBI double in the fifth. Jonathan India also had an RBI double in the second. Isaac Paredes put Houston on the board in the fourth with a solo home run, while Peña had an RBI double in the sixth.

The Royals drop to 25-20, now 4.5 games behind Detroit for the AL Central lead, and one game ahead of Minnesota for the second wild card spot, following the Twins’ tenth straight win. Kansas City has the day off before they start the first half of the I-70 series Friday night at The K against St Louis.