Houston ? The Kansas City Royals roughed up Wade Miller for six runs in three innings of a 9-5 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday.

Miller, Houston’s No. 4 starter, allowed a single during his first 22/3 innings before Kansas City collected six straight hits.

Royals infielder Mendy Lopez, who played 10 games for the Astros in 2001, hit a three-run homer off Miller to cap a six-run third. Lopez also singled and walked.

“Nobody knows how valuable he is to this ballclub,” Kansas City manager Tony Pena said. “He can play anywhere. He had a real good spring hitting the ball.”

Pitching on three days’ rest, Royals left-hander Jeremy Affeldt allowed three runs in three innings.

“They pulled me early the last game, so I had enough in my tank,” Affeldt said.

Craig Biggio doubled and scored for the Astros. Jeff Bagwell homered to the opposite field for his first of the spring.

Houston’s key relievers looked sharp. Setup man Brad Lidge struck out the side in the seventh, and new closer Octavio Dotel had a 1-2-3 eighth.

Ken Harvey added three hits for the Royals, including a pair of doubles.

Notes: Houston optioned RHP Brandon Backe and LHP Mike Gallo to Triple-A New Orleans and purchased the contract of RHP Jared Fernandez. … Kansas City could become the first team in major-league history to start four left-handers in its first four games, with Darrell May, Affeldt and Jimmy Gobble following Brian Anderson.