Astros' Keuchel stymies Royals, extends scoreless innings streak to 17

Dallas Keuchel took the mound at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, five days after tossing a 12-strikeout shutout against the New York Yankees, and didn't allow a run for the second time in as many starts.

In his first encounter with the reigning American League champions this season, Keuchel proved just as stingy as he was against the Yankees, limiting the Kansas City Royals to just seven hits over eight shutout frames to extend his streak of scoreless innings to 17 and lift the Houston Astros to a 4-0 victory.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Not only did Keuchel lower his ERA to 2.03 with Tuesday's effort, but he also joined Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez as the only pitchers in the American League with 10 wins. No Astros pitcher has recorded 10 wins before the All-Star break since Roy Oswalt in 2005, who, as it happens, finished fourth in Cy Young voting that season.