HOUSTON -- For the third time this season and 12th time in his career, George Springer led off with a home run. Springer re-routed Royals starter Nathan Karns' first pitch to right-center that landed in the Astros' bullpen in the bottom of the first in Sunday's 5-4 win in 12 innings.
Springer is the first player ever to hit three leadoff home runs within his team's first seven games of a season.
The last MLB player with three leadoff home runs within any seven-game span was Charlie Blackmon, who had three with the Rockies Aug. 5-11 in 2016.
Springer's 12 career leadoff homers are third in franchise history, trailing only Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (53) and Terry Puhl (13).
Springer hit eight leadoff homers last season and one in 2015.