Royals hope to bounce back Saturday with Gordon possibly returning
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After scoring 12 runs in the first two innings to crush the Kansas City Royals 13-4 on Friday night, the Houston Astros are adding another offensive weapon Saturday.
The Astros announced left-handed hitting first baseman A.J. Reed's contract has been purchased from Triple-A Fresno after the game. Manager A.J Hinch said Reed would be the designated hitter in his big league debut.
Reed, who was the Astros top prospect, hit .340 with 34 home runs and 127 RBIs last year with High-A Lancaster and Double-A Corpus Christi.
"He impressed us in spring (training)," Hinch said. "He got off to a little bit of a rough start in Triple-A, but rebounded really well. He's swung the bat well as anybody in the organization the last week to 10 days."
Reed hit .372, 16-for-43, with three home runs, seven RBIs and scored six runs in his past 10 games with Fresno. He was hitting only .225 on May 26, but raised his average to .266 with 11 home runs, 19 doubles and 36 RBIs in 59 games with the Grizzlies.
"We have a run here where we are facing a lot of right-handed pitching," Hinch said. "He's swung the bat very well in Triple-A. He's played real well the past week. He's really pushed his way into the opportunity. We are at a perfect time in our schedule. Getting Reed up here, he's going to DH quite a bit, play first quite a bit. His offense can be impactful when he gets settled into the big leagues. Now is good a time as any."
Reed has a .311 batting average with a .399 on-base percentage, .566 slugging percentage and a .960 ERA in 262 minor league games. He was a 2014 second-round pick out of Kentucky, where he won the 2014 Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur player in the country.
"I'm going to tell him, like I tell all these guys, there's only one first day and he's got to enjoy it," Hinch said. "So I look forward to seeing him. It's a big move for us. It's a big jolt to the lineup. It's obviously going to be an important time in his life, but there is only one first day."
The Astros have won a season high six straight to move a season-best two games above .500 after defeating the Royals.
The Royals could also be adding a key bat to their lineup Saturday. Alex Gordon, a three-time All-Star selection and Gold Glove left fielder, has not played since fracturing his right wrist on May 22.
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He went 1-for-2 with three walks Friday night with Triple-A Omaha in his fifth rehab game, but will probably be reinstated Saturday.
"Alex is doing fine," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We'll re-evaluate after tonight (Friday). We'll be anxious to get him back."
Right-hander Chris Young, who has allowed a major-league high 19 home runs including at least one in all of his first 10 starts, will start Saturday against the Astros.
Mike Fiers will start for the Astros. He has walked two or less in 14 straight starts. Lorenzo Cain is 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs off Fiers.
