Josh Donaldson hit 41 home runs, Jose Bautista hit 40 and Edwin Encarnacion hit 39. Then Colby Rasmus, hitting. Valbeuna was 2-for-14 (both singles) in postseason before the homer. With contingency plans written up for an emergency every inning, the Royals were willing to remove Cueto early.
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ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 07: Evan Gattis #11 of the Houston Astros tosses his bat after striking out in the eighth inning during the Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 7, 2015 in Anaheim, California.
The Royals, who took the San Francisco Giants to a decisive Game Seven in last year’s World Series with the tying run on third in the bottom of the ninth, pride themselves on putting the ball in play, rather than losing it over the outfield wall. I’m proud of how we handled adversity. Beginning on April 18, the Astros went on a remarkable 13-1 tear, and from that point on never spent another day under.500.
Collin McHugh gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over just four innings pitched. He hit Salvador Perez with a full-count curveball.
Houston called on Mike Fiers from the bullpen, but the Royals lineup was ready to pounce.
Facebook user David Dahmer, a Royals fan, was the first to bring it to the public’s attention.
Alex Rios, who started the eighth inning rally in game four, drove in the go-ahead runs in the game with a double down the left field line in the fifth inning. Alex Rios singled. Alcides Escobar singled. Ben Zobrist then padded the Royals’ lead with a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Rios.
In between innings, Dallas Keuchel trotted out to the bullpen…presumably to begin stretching out for a possible relief appearance.
Nothing, actually, after the second inning. After Valbuena’s home run, Cueto retired the final 19 men he faced in a row. Toronto led the series 3-1 before the Royals clawed back to win the next three games and advance to the World Series, which the Royals ultimately won over St. Louis.
They watched the Royals on their magical postseason path last season having worn the uniforms of other teams. Hosmer would instead pop up in foul territory, with Castro putting it away for the second out. Houston should make multiple returns to the postseason in the next 10 seasons.
Back to the play by play, Mike Moustakas grounded out against Keuchel to end the inning.
It would be hard to argue that this young Astros club won’t benefit from this post-season experience going forward.
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The Kansas City Royals are heading to the American League championship series for the second straight season after defeating the Houston Astros 7-2. In Game 2 of the Division Series against the Astros, he again fell short of a quality start, allowing four runs in his first three innings of work and leaving the game after six innings with the Astros in the lead. Before they delve headlong into undergirding their winning roster, the Astros should take a few time to reflect on how they got here and take inventory of the accomplishment.
