YESTERDAY IN POSTSEASON PLAY:
Last
night the clocks turned back more than an hour, they traveled back to 1985 as
the Royals captured their first title in 30 years. It took a lot of grit and
determination but the throne was regained by Kansas City in another extra
innings battle after having broken the back of the dark knight. As this series has
exemplified, sometimes the little things can add up as a few decisions by the
Mets and errors in execution cost them both the game and the series. However,
there is still one question that remains… if this is 1985, does that make
George Brett Emmett Brown?
Royals Outlast
Mets 7-2
The magic ride didn't end until the Royals took their fans
and all of Kansas City back to the ultimate joy: A World Series championship. After
narrowly missing out on a title in 2014, the Royals took care of business in
five games this time, launching another breathtaking rally to tie the Mets in
the ninth inning and then disposing of them with a five-run outburst in the
12th to secure a 7-2 win in Game 5 on Sunday night at Citi Field, grabbing
their first World Series championship since 1985. "It's the best,"
Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said.
"We came back and won a world championship. Words can't even describe how
awesome this feels right now. Couldn't have done it with a better group of
guys. We battled since Day 1, Minor Leagues a lot of us, and this is an
unbelievable feeling." Added center fielder Lorenzo Cain, "Never die, never quit attitude. I
mean this entire clubhouse, front office, fans, they're all amazing. I say just
that never quit attitude. We continue to push no matter if it's not in our
favor, continue to fight as a team." The Royals, down 2-0 in the ninth,
began to put together their record eighth come-from-behind victory this
postseason. Cain walked and stole second against Mets starter Matt Harvey, who had been virtually unhittable for
eight innings. Then, Hosmer rifled a run-scoring double off the wall, and Mets
manager Terry Collins went to closer Jeurys Familia, who induced a Mike Moustakas groundout that moved Hosmer to third. Then
the Royals pulled off yet another one of their trademark daring plays: Salvador Perez sent a chopper to third baseman David Wright, who looked back Hosmer then threw to
first to get the second out. As soon as Wright released the ball, Hosmer broke
for home. A good throw to the plate by first baseman Lucas Duda likely would have ended the game with a
double play, but the ball sailed wide and to the backstop and the game was
tied, 2-2. The fateful 12th inning started with a single by Perez off
right-hander Addison Reed.
Pinch-runner Jarrod Dyson promptly
stole second and went to third on an Alex Gordon groundout. Christian Colon pinch-hit and, in his only postseason
at-bat, delivered the hit that will go down in Royals lore -- a sharp RBI
single to left-center that gave Kansas City a 3-2 lead. After an RBI double
from Alcides Escobar and a
three-run double from Cain, the Royals had the highest-scoring extra inning in
World Series history. "I was ready," Colon said. "It's like
studying for a test. You study and you get ready." Royals closer Wade Davis nailed down
the final three outs, combining with Kelvin Herrera and Luke Hochevar for six scoreless relief innings. And
the World Series trophy was headed back to Kansas City. "To be able to win
this is very, very special, with this group of guys," Royals manager Ned
Yost said. "With their character, with their heart, with their passion,
with the energy that they bring every single day, I mean, they leave everything
on the field." Kansas City's amazing comeback undid all the early work of
Harvey, who pitched with a lead from the second inning on, thanks to Curtis Granderson's first-inning homer against Royals
starter Edinson Volquez. The
Mets also used a Hosmer error to their advantage during a sixth-inning rally
off Volquez, plating a second run on Duda's sacrifice fly. Pitching for the
first time since learning of the death of his father, Volquez allowed only
those two runs in six innings. Collins, who had planned to start the ninth
inning with Familia but changed his mind, took the blame for sending Harvey
back out. "I said, 'Matt, you've got us exactly where we wanted to get
you.' He said, 'I want this game in the worst way.' So obviously I let my heart
get in the way of my gut. I love my players, and I trust them. And so I said,
'Go get 'em out,'" Collins said. "It didn't work. It was my
fault."
POSTSEASON
PREDICTIONS: Read my post from October 6th to see how many I have gotten wrong! Almost got it but, in the end, I was completely wrong!
CURRENT
POSTSEASON PICTURE:
World Series
Kansas City Defeats New York 4-1
PHILS PHACTS:
All quiet on the Eastern Front!
THE BEGINNING:
The
Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL
East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and
bipolar performances, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in
franchise history! However, at least Ryan Madson got another ring
this year.
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