Kansas City’s dormant bats sprang to life on Saturday with a five-run seventh inning that rallied the Royals from a three-run deficit to a 6-3 victory over Toronto, delivering a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series (ALCS).
The Royals had been held to one hit by Toronto starter David Price before stringing together four singles and a double in their go-ahead inning.
In the National League Championship Series (NLCS), the New York Mets won 4-2 at home in the opening game against the Chicago Cubs, with Daniel Murphy continuing his fine form with a homer and a diving stop on the game-ending play.
Ben Zobrist’s easy fly somehow fell in for a safe hit to start Kansas City’s rally, and the hosts got run-producing hits from Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alex Gordon and Alex Rios, along with an RBI groundout from Kendrys Morales.
It was a monumental collapse for Price, who had at one point recorded 18 straight outs. A dominant pitcher in the regular season, he fell to a 0-7 record in playoff starts.
Royals closer Wade survived a shaky ninth inning, in which he gave up a leadoff single and then a walk. He struck out Ben Revere and Josh Donaldson before Jose Bautista then flied out to right to give Davis his third post-season save and the Royals another post-season comeback win.
The reigning AL champs have won nine straight ALCS games dating to their memorable seven-game series against Toronto in 1985 — the year they won their only World Series. The record is 10 straight wins set by Baltimore in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Blue Jays head home for Game 3 today in dire trouble. All but three of the previous 25 teams to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven era have won the series — although Toronto did rally from the same hole to beat the Rangers in five games in the divisional round.
Meanwhile, in New York, Mets starter Matt Harvey pitched 7-2/3 strong innings to guide the home team to a 4-2 victory in the NLCS opener.
Harvey allowed two runs and struck out nine, leaving after allowing a Kyle Schwarber home run.
Jeurys Familia completed the four-out save, but needed help from Murphy. Familia allowed a two-out double in the ninth — the first hit he had given up in the post-season — and the next batter got a crisp shot that was angling toward right field, only for Murphy to dive to his left, take the ball on the hop, spring up and get the throw to first base in time for the final out.
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