Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly in the 14th inning to drive in Alcides Escobar for the winning run and give the Royals a 5-4 win against the New York Mets in the longest opening game in World Series history.
Shortly after the clock ticked over from Tuesday night to yesterday morning, the Royals loaded the bases with no outs in the 14th against veteran Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon.
Hosmer’s fly ball to deep right field was caught by Curtis Granderson, whose strong throw to home was not quite in time to beat the speedy Escobar, and the home fans erupted in joy after 5 hours, 9 minutes of gripping tension.
Photo: AFP
It was a big game for Escobar, who, on the first pitch of the bottom of the first, hit the first inside-the-park home run in a World Series since 1929.
The Mets rallied from that early setback and led 4-3 when Alex Gordon hit a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie it.
“Tonight was huge,” said Royals pitcher and former Met Chris Young, who pitched the closing innings. “Home run by Alex Gordon and the character and fight, find a way to win late, great team effort.”
Photo: AFP
In the 14th, Escobar reached first on an error by New York third baseman David Wright. The ball took an awkward hop, and although he gloved in cleanly, he rushed his throw and first baseman Lucas Duda had to step off the base to take it. Ben Zobrist’s single put runners at first and third, and an intentional walk — designed to increase the chances of a subsequent double play — loaded the bases.
Hosmer, trying to avoid a ground ball and that intended double play, got a pitch he could lift into deep right field for the winner.
It was a relief for first baseman Hosmer, whose fielding error in the eighth had put the Mets up 4-3.
“That’s the beauty of this game,” Hosmer said. “Always get a chance to redeem yourself and can’t thank my teammates enough.”
After Hosmer’s error, the Royals were staring down the barrel of a first-up home loss, which is very difficult to recover from in the best-of-seven series.
However, the Royals once again reinforced their reputation for resilience in the face of adversity in playoffs.
Gordon shook the ballpark when he connected sweetly on a fastball from New York closer Jeurys Familia, hitting his shot just over the center field wall. Familia had not blown a save since July 30 and had been nearly perfect this post-season.
“Their team, one of the things we know about them is they’re never down and out,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “We’ve got to put them away. We’ve got to do a better job.”
Escobar provided the early excitement. He loves to swing at first pitches, and this time the AL Championship Series MVP produced his best result yet, with the first inside-the-park homer leading off the first since 1903.
Granderson homered and the Mets came back for a 3-1 lead.
Mike Moustakas lined a tying single off Harvey tied it in the sixth.
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