KANSAS CITY (Interstat) — The Houston Astros erupted for nine runs in the first inning and held off a late Kansas City Royals rally for a 10-8 victory Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs in the opening frame, including a grand slam, as Houston sent 13 batters to the plate. Taylor Trammell added two hits and an RBI. The Astros built a 10-5 lead after one inning, but the Royals scored three times in the eighth to cut the deficit to two.

Nate Pearson (1-0) earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Josh Hader recorded his second save with a perfect ninth. Luinder Avila (1-3) took the loss.

Brice Matthews delivered a pinch-hit solo homer for Houston. Michael Massey doubled and singled, driving in two runs for Kansas City, which outhit Houston 13-10.

The Royals loaded the bases in the eighth but stranded three. Attendance was 25,672, and the game lasted 3 hours, 19 minutes.

Houston improved to 32-39, while Kansas City fell to 28-42. The teams meet again Saturday.