Presley, Gonzalez key Astros' rallies vs. KC

KANSAS CITY -- When reminiscing over the perfect nights at the plate from Dexter Fowler and George Springer on Monday, remember the circumstances that led to the opportunities the Astros' outfielders received.

Twice, the bottom of the order jumpstarted two-out, bases empty rallies in the 9-2 win over the Royals.

In the center of it all was Alex Presley and Marwin Gonzalez, the eighth and ninth hitters, respectively. Presley collected three hits, while Gonzalez rapped out a career-high four hits.

All seven of Presley and Gonzalez's hits came with two outs and no runners on. The duo had a hand in all four runs Houston scored with two outs.

"I think that was part of our woes earlier on in the year, just not being able to get those two-out hits," manager Bo Porter said after the game, adding, "You look at a lot of those hits, they're up the middle, they're the other way, I feel like the guys are really covering all aspects of the strike zone."

Three runs crossed in the second inning after Gonzalez kept the frame alive with a two-out double.

In the third, Presley and Gonzalez reached base with two outs and nobody aboard, in essence knocking Royals starter Yordano Ventura out of the game, as he departed with an elbow injury in the next at-bat.

Presley and Gonzalez's work on Monday earned them starts against Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie on Tuesday, somewhat surprising considering both were playing on a platoon basis.

"From Marwin, the way he swung the bat yesterday and played defense, Presley swung the bat well, I'm just going to go out and continue to ride the hot hand," Porter said.