Scott Podsednik belted a three-run home run, rallying the Kansas City Royals to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Houston Astros on Thursday night in the finale of a three-game series.

Podsednik’s third homer of the season, and first since May 6, helped the Royals win their second consecutive series.

Anthony Lerew, called up from Triple-A Omaha to make a spot start, pitched brilliantly after he was touched for a pair of runs in the first inning.

Working on three days’ rest and making just his sixth major league start, Lerew allowed two runs on three hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two.

Victor Marte (2-0) and Blake Wood pitched a scoreless inning apiece before Joakim Soria worked out of a ninth-inning jam for his 16th save.

Astros starter Brett Myers (4-5) also was superb through six innings, allowing just three hits before unraveling in the seventh. After retiring the first two batters, he was tagged for four straight hits, capped by Podsednik's go-ahead blast.

Hunter Pence had given Houston a 2-0 lead with a two-out, two-run double in the first inning, but the Astros were shut down the rest of the way.