The Kansas City Royals scored three runs from two homers in the 10th inning to win 8-6 at Baltimore on Friday in the opening game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Alex Gordon led off the 10th with a homer off Darren O’Day to cap his eventful game in which he also doubled in three runs, was picked off at first base, made a great catch in left field and got hit in the neck with a pitch.
His homer put Kansas City up 6-5 and Mike Moustakas added a two-run shot off Brian Matusz to pad the lead.
Photo: AFP
The Orioles tried to rally in the bottom of the 10th, with pinch-hitter Delmon Young driving in a run with two outs and putting a second man on base, but Royals closer Greg Holland retired Nick Markakis on a grounder to end it.
Four of Kansas City’s five wins in this postseason have come in extra innings.
“These games, we’ve played so many of them that we’re kind of used to them a little bit,” manager Ned Yost said. “And we still have a lot of confidence.”
Photo: EPA
Game 2 was scheduled for yesterday in Baltimore, when rookie pitcher Yordano Ventura was to make his second postseason start for the Royals against either Chen Wei-yin or Bud Norris.
Gordon was at the center of much of the action all game, so there was a sense of expectation when he came to the plate in the tenth, and he duly dispatched a high pitch into the stands beyond right field.
This best-of-seven series was billed as Kansas City’s speed against Baltimore’s power, but the Royals did not steal a base and hit all of the game’s three home runs.
Kansas City established an early lead with a four-run third inning.
Alcides Escobar hit a rare homer off Chris Tillman into the left-field seats, and the Royals then loaded the bases with two singles and a walk to set up Gordon, whose broken-bat fly landed about 4 feet inside the right-field foul line and pushed the lead out to 4-0.
Baltimore got an RBI single from Adam Jones in the bottom half to make it 4-1, but a diving catch by Gordon prevented further damage.
A sacrifice fly by Butler in the fifth made it 5-1, but in the bottom of the frame the Orioles scored three times to make it a one-run game. Nelson Cruz hit an RBI double before Ryan Flaherty delivered a two-out, two-run single.
Kansas City starter James Shields made it out of the inning, but did not return after giving up four runs and 10 hits.
The rain that was expected for much of the day finally made an appearance in the sixth, shortly before Baltimore tied the game against the usually reliable Kansas City bullpen. The tying run was scored off Kelvin Herrera on a low popup by Alejandro De Aza that dropped behind the mound.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely