NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Houston Astros star Yordan Alvarez had what most would consider a great game in the first inning.
In the Astros’ 10-8 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Kauffman Stadium, Alvarez hit a home run and a grand slam in the first inning. He became just the eighth player to hit a multi-run home run and a grand slam in the same inning in MLB history, according to Sportradar.
Alvarez’s first blast came off Royals starter Luinder Avila when he hammered an 84 mph curveball to the opposite field, 368 feet over the left field wall for a two-run home run to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on June 12, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP)
First baseman Christian Walker homered off Alvarez, giving the Astros back-to-back first-inning hits. The inning appeared to slow down as Isaac Paredes and José Altuve made back-to-back outs, but the Astros put together an impressive two-out rally.
Joey Loperfido walked, while Cam Smith and Taylor Trammell both singled. Loperfido scored on Trammell’s single to make it 4-0. Christian Vásquez and Jeremy Peña both walked to load the bases and Smith scored on a passed ball to make it 5-0.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro removed Avila from the game, with Alvarez coming up for the second time in the inning with the bases loaded. Mason Black entered the game and hung an 85 mph sweeper to Alvarez, which he hit over the center field wall for a grand slam, giving the Astros a 9-0 lead.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez celebrates with Christian Walker after hitting a grand slam during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on June 12, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP)
The scoring in the first inning wasn’t done yet, as the Royals answered with five runs of their own in the bottom of the first. They chipped away as the game wore on, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Astros’ first-inning outburst.
Alvarez finished 3-for-5 with six RBIs and moved into a tie with Philadelphia Phillies star Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead in homers with 24.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on June 12, 2026. (Charlie Riedel/AP)
Alvarez is the 63rd player in major league history to hit two homers in one inning and the first Houston player since Jeff Bagwell did it on June 24, 1994. He is the first since Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz did it on August 12, 2008 in the first inning.
The 28-year-old has been one of the best hitters in the American League and is in MVP contention. In 70 games, he has a .321 batting average with 24 home runs and 54 RBIs, leading the American League in that category. He also leads the American League in OPS and intentional walks.
