ALCS Game 2 Preview: Orioles Vs. Royals
By JEFF BARTL
STATS Senior Writer
(AP) -- Late-inning dramatics didn't quite suit the regular-season version of the Kansas City Royals, but the postseason edition sure doesn't seem to be shying away from the pressure.
The Royals tied for the second-fewest extra-inning games in 2014, going 5-7 in such contests. They were smack in the middle of the majors in runs scored after the sixth, and their batting average in those innings was 12 points below their overall season average.
Yet somehow, playoff-inexperienced Kansas City has shined in high-pressure situations this postseason and can take a 2-0 lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Championship Series if it pulls out another road win Saturday.
The Royals are the first team in baseball history to win four extra-inning games in a single postseason. They beat Oakland in 12 in the wild-card game, stole both games in extras on the road in their division series sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and put up a three-run 10th to beat Baltimore 8-6 in Game 1 on Friday.
"These games, we've played so many of them (in the playoffs) that we're kind of used to them a little bit," manager Ned Yost said. "And we still have a lot of confidence."
Alex Gordon broke a 5-all tie with a leadoff homer before Mike Moustakas, whose 11th-inning homer gave the Royals a Game 1 victory over the Angels, added a two-run shot.
Built up as a series featuring Baltimore's power versus Kansas City's speed, the Royals flipped the script by homering three times. Kansas City, which hit seven homers in its final 23 regular-season games, has gone deep seven times in the last four compared to Baltimore's four homers in the same span.
"We know we're capable of hitting home runs," said Gordon, who also added a three-run double. "We didn't do it during the regular season. But it doesn't really matter. This is the postseason and we're starting to swing the bats better now."
Baltimore rallied from a four-run deficit, then escaped the top of the ninth after the Royals loaded the bases with nobody out. Darren O'Day allowed Gordon's homer before Brian Matusz gave up Moustakas' blast.
Nick Markakis and Ryan Flaherty had three hits apiece for the Orioles, who will try to avoid dropping two straight at home for the first time since June 28-29 against Tampa Bay.
"One game does not the series make," catcher Nick Hundley said.
Yordano Ventura has allowed only two homers in his last 69 1-3 innings, including the playoffs, and he'll take the mound in Game 2 as the first Royals rookie to make multiple postseason starts.
The right-hander gave up one run in seven innings of Kansas City's 4-1, 11-inning win over the Angels in Game 2 of the ALDS.
"The first outing for me there was a little bit more pressure," Ventura said. "Back to business as usual, where I just want to go out and help my team and be an effective pitcher."
Ventura went 1-1 with a 1.26 ERA in two starts against the Orioles in the regular season, striking out 17 over 14 1-3 innings. Markakis and J.J. Hardy are both 4 for 6 against Ventura, with Nelson Cruz hitting Baltimore's only homer off him.
"I think he's just done a tremendous job all year long," Yost said.
Baltimore manager Buck Showalter didn't announce a starter until after Game 1, deciding on Bud Norris over Wei-Yin Chen. Norris has won four straight starts with a 1.09 ERA, including allowing two hits in 6 1-3 scoreless innings to help Baltimore sweep Detroit with a 2-1 victory in Game 3 of the ALDS.
The right-hander made one start against the Royals in the regular season, giving up the game's only run in 7 1-3 innings May 17.
