The Royals are back in the ALCS for the second straight year following a 7-2 win over Houston in Game 5 of their division series. Alex Rios supplied a tiebreaking, two-run double in the fifth, Kendrys (KEHN’-drees) Morales added a three-run homer and Johnny Cueto (KWAY’-toh) was outstanding over his seven innings on the mound.

Kansas City trailed 2-1 in the fifth until Rios hit a two-run double off reliever Mike Fiers (FY’-urz). Rios came around to score on Ben Zobrist’s sacrifice fly. Morales capped the scoring with a blast off Dallas Keuchel (KY’-kul) in the eighth, allowing Royals fans to breathe easier.

Cueto (KWAY’-toh) held the Astros to two hits while striking out eight over the first seven innings. Cueto’s only mistake was a two-run homer to Luis Valbuena in the top of the second. He retired all 16 hitters he faced following the home run.

Astros starter and loser Collin McHugh left the game with two runners on and a 2-1 lead in the fifth. McHugh was charged with three runs on five hits in four-plus innings.

Game 1 of the ALCS is Friday in Kansas City.