By KRISTIE RIEKEN
Associated PRESS

(HOUSTON, AP) — A tough first inning by Mike Fiers and Houston’s inability to capitalize on opportunities doomed the Astros on Tuesday night.

Lorenzo Cain hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and the Kansas City Royals held on for a 3-2 win over the Astros.

Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas hit consecutive singles to start the game before Cain connected on a full-count, 91-mph fastball off Fiers (0-1) to make it 3-0.

The Astros got within 1 in the bottom of the inning after an RBI double by Colby Rasmus followed by a run-scoring single by Tyler White.

“Those three runs were too much for us tonight,” Fiers said. “I need to be two runs better and need to pick my team up, but I fell one run short.”

Kris Medlen (1-0) allowed six hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in five innings in his 2016 debut. Wade Davis walked two players with one out in the ninth before retiring Jose Altuve and George Springer for his third save.

Fiers settled down after his tough first inning, allowing just three more hits and no runs in the next five innings before he was replaced by Will Harris for the seventh.

“Fiers settled in and starting using his pitches more effectively,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “These guys are really aggressive in the zone. You have to be just around the zone to make them want to swing. But when you make mistakes they are usually swinging.”

The early hole was too much to overcome on a night when the Astros went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

“We played good baseball; we just fell short,” Carlos Correa said. “We almost had it.”

Kansas City’s bullpen was solid after Medlen’s exit, with Luke Hochevar and Kelvin Herrera striking out two each in perfect innings before Joakim Soria took over in the eighth. He allowed one hit and walked one before he was relieved by Davis.

“Their bullpen is one of the best in the big leagues; everyone knows that,” Correa said. “That’s why they are so successful.”

Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in his first game of the season after starting the year on the disabled list after February surgery to repair a sports hernia.

“He had a tough night getting back in the swing of things against a tough pitcher,” Hinch said. “He’s going to need a few at-bats to get comfortable.”

PRESIDENTIAL PITCH

Former President George H.W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday’s game. The 91-year-old was pushed onto the field in a wheelchair and tossed the ball left-handed to Monday’s starter Collin McHugh from about five feet in front of the plate. After McHugh grabbed the pitch, which was just a bit outside, Bush raised both of his fists in the air and smiled.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: Right-hander Lance McCullers (right shoulder soreness) will make his second rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday.

UP NEXT

Royals: Yordano Ventura (0-0, 3.60) will make his second start of the season on Wednesday. Ventura didn’t factor into the decision in his first start after allowing two hits and two runs and tying a career high with six walks in a 4-3 win over the Twins.

Astros: Scott Feldman (0-1, 9.00) will pitch for Houston on Wednesday. It will be his second start this season after he allowed five hits and four runs in four innings of a 6-4 loss to Milwaukee.