HOUSTON -- Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12, Jeremy Peña and Yainer Diaz drove in two runs apiece and the Astros defeated the Royals, 5-2, on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.

Through the first five innings, it was a pitcher’s duel between Kikuchi and Royals starter Cole Ragans. The duo combined to strike out 19 batters in the first five frames. Ragans tied a Royals franchise record by striking out eight straight Astros at one point.

In the sixth, the Astros (74-62) loaded the bases with no outs. Diaz singled into left field past a diving Bobby Witt Jr., driving in Ben Gamel and Jose Altuve to make it 2-0. A few pitches later, Peña tripled to left-center field, scoring Yordan Alvarez and Diaz, to push the lead to 4-0. Peña scored to cap the five-run inning on a wild pitch that skipped past Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

Kikuchi (7-9) gave up one run on five hits and struck out 12 in seven innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA since joining Houston. The Astros can now go for the four-game sweep against the Royals (75-62) on Sunday with Ronel Blanco on the mound.