By Carolanne Boughton, Staff writer
Major League Baseball’s American League Championship Series opened Friday, October 10 with the Kansas City Royals visiting the Orioles in Baltimore in Game 1. The Royals scored first, with four runs in the top of the 3rd inning. The Orioles struggled to gain a lead in the game, however by the 6th inning the game was tied 5-5. The game remained tied and the teams went to extra innings. In the 10th inning, Alex Gordon hit a solo homerun and Mike Moustakas collected to RBI’s as the Royals built an 8-5 lead. The Orioles mustered up a single run in the bottom of the 10th and fell short of the win. The final score was 8-6, with the Kansas City Royals dominating throughout.
Game 2 of the series was set in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Once again, the Orioles struggled throughout the game and never obtained a lead. They had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the 7th inning. Against Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera, the Orioles loaded the bases with one out after an error off of Herrera, a walk, and a single by Nelson Cruz. Nick Markakis, on third base, decided not to run home off of Cruz’s single because of the Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon standing ready to throw a stike at home plate. Steve Pearce flied out to shallow left and J.J. Hardy lifted a ball to right to end the inning. Tough relief pitching kept the Orioles scoreless for the game’s last four inning. Shortstop Alcides Escobar drove in pinch-runner Terrence Gore with a double in the top of the 9th, giving the Royals the go-ahead run. The Royals secured another run in the inning, making the final score 6-4, Royals.
The Royals won Game 3, 2-1, securing a 3-0 lead over the Orioles. They now stand one game away from their first trip to the World Series Championship in almost three decades. Third baseman Mike Moustakas was the star of the game. In the 4th inning, he made a spectacular catch off of a line drive hit by the Orioles’ Steve Pearce. Two innings later, Moustakas tumbled over the railing and into the seats while snagging the ball of an Adam Jones pop-up. The Royals have an outstanding outfield, with an array of Gold Glove winners. But their Gold Glove winners aren’t the only weapons that the Royals have used to win seven straight postseason games, the Royals also have one of the best bullpens in the game. The Royals also have great baserunning and know how to clinch hit.
With their Game 4 2-1 win, the Royals clinched their spot in the World Series Championship for the first time in 28 years. The Royals clinched at home in front of 40,468 fans sporting their blue jerseys. The Royals collected two runs in the 1st inning with an infield single, a hit by pitch, a sacrifice bunt and a fielder’s choice. The Orioles’ only run came off of a solo shot off the bat of Ryan Flaherty. The Royals’ Lorenzo Cain was the series’ MVP because of his outstanding defensive work and overall consistency throughout the postseason. The Royals are moving on to the World Series with confidence and steaming hot players. They will prove to be a tough match against the winner of the NLCS.