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Astros’ Alvarez hits grand slam, two-run shot in 1st inning at Royals

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Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez, left, celebrates with Isaac Paredes (15) after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel/AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Yordan Alvarez hit a grand slam and two-run homer in the first inning for the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

The left-handed slugger drove in two runs with an opposite-field homer early in the inning and cleared the bases with a two-out shot to center, giving him six RBIs in a nine-run inning.

Since the RBI stat became official in 1920, only Alvarez and Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz (2008) have hit two homers and recorded six RBIs in a first inning, according to ESPN Research.

Alvarez, the American League leader in homers, is tied with Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead at 24.

Alvarez, who is from Cuba, was the AL rookie of the year in 2019. The three-time All-Star was the AL Championship Series MVP in 2021 and led the Astros with six RBIs the next year when they won the World Series.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.