Royals Win Game 1 In Extra Innings Against Orioles
The Orioles have the best bullpen in the MLB and the Royals can't win with the long ball. Then Game 1 of the ALCS began and everything changed. Baltimore fell to Kansas City of the first game of the ALCS 8-6 in a game that featured struggling Orioles relievers and big shots by the Royals bats. In a game that went extra innings, Kansas City was able to win its 4th straight postseason game in that fashion.
The game began with Chris Tillman struggling to keep Royals players off the bases. His pitch count was rising quickly and he quickly gave up 4 runs in the 3rd inning. As a result Baltimore would have to play catch-up for most of the game. To keep the damage to a minimum, Buck Showalter called on the services of both Andrew Miller and Kevin Gausman who pitched exceptionally well. Baltimore was able to slowly chip at the deficit before tying the game up in the 6th inning.
Both teams bullpens held until the ninth inning when closer Zach Britton walked three straight batters to load the bases with no outs. But after an amazing force out at home by Steve Pearce and a crucial double play by the Orioles infield, Baltimore would hold and take this highly competitive Game 1 into the 10th inning.
It was in the 10th inning that the Royals sealed the game with 2 crushing home runs by Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. Long balls that the Royals say were a long time coming.
"We know we're capable of hitting home runs," stated Gordon after the win. "We weren't able to do it in the regular season, but that doesn't matter. This is the postseason."
If this is a trend that the Royals plan on continuing throughout the series, the Orioles could be in big trouble. But they don't appear to be a team that's worried about it.
"One series doesn't make a game," Orioles Nick Hundley told reporters. And he's absolutely right.
Baltimore is still the team better suited to take the series if they continue to click on all cylinders as they've done the entire season. But the Royals don't want to hear any of that. They've made it this far and don't want their magic season to end. And as Orioles CF Adam Jones pointed out, "That's why you play the game. You never know what's going to happen."
Game Notes:
Game 2 of the ALCS will begin Saturday at 4:07 PM. Yordano Ventura will go for the Royals and Bud Norris will go for the Orioles.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.