The team with the fewest home runs in baseball got the long-ball when they needed it last night. The Royals shocked the Angels in 11 innings 3-2 in Game 1 of the ALDS. Mike Moustakas was the hero, hitting the game-winning solo home run in the 11th to lift Kansas City.
Despite winning in extras yet again, this was a much different game than the Wild Card showdown with the A's. This was more of a pitching duel, with only 5 combined runs, compared to 17 combined runs on Tuesday. Jason Vargas went 6 innings, giving up just 2 runs on 3 hits, and struck out 2. The Royals used a combined 8 pitchers, including Danny Duffy who got the win, and Greg Holland who got the save.
Jered Weaver pitched a solid 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 6, and walking 2. Weaver's first blemish came in the 3rd, surrendering an RBI double to Alcides Escobar. That lead would last just a half inning before Chris Iannetta tied the game with a solo shot.
Omar Infante would give the Royals the lead back in the 5th with a sacrifice fly, but again that lead wouldn't last long. Just a half inning later, former postseason hero David Freese would tie the game with another solo shot. That tie would last until the 11th, with the Royals outfield making spectacular plays to rob the Anaheim. Lorenzo Cain had a leaping catch at the wall in center in the 1st, and Nori Aoki ran down some tough balls at the track in right.
Those plays would hold the Angels in check long enough for the Royals to win it in dramatic fashion. Also with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout going a combined 0-13, it was tough for the Angels to come away with runs. These 2 teams will face off in game 2 tonight at 9:37, as Yordano Ventura will toe the slab for the Royals. The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker, who is still rehabbing from a left oblique strain.
Despite winning in extras yet again, this was a much different game than the Wild Card showdown with the A's. This was more of a pitching duel, with only 5 combined runs, compared to 17 combined runs on Tuesday. Jason Vargas went 6 innings, giving up just 2 runs on 3 hits, and struck out 2. The Royals used a combined 8 pitchers, including Danny Duffy who got the win, and Greg Holland who got the save.
Jered Weaver pitched a solid 7 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 6, and walking 2. Weaver's first blemish came in the 3rd, surrendering an RBI double to Alcides Escobar. That lead would last just a half inning before Chris Iannetta tied the game with a solo shot.
Omar Infante would give the Royals the lead back in the 5th with a sacrifice fly, but again that lead wouldn't last long. Just a half inning later, former postseason hero David Freese would tie the game with another solo shot. That tie would last until the 11th, with the Royals outfield making spectacular plays to rob the Anaheim. Lorenzo Cain had a leaping catch at the wall in center in the 1st, and Nori Aoki ran down some tough balls at the track in right.
Those plays would hold the Angels in check long enough for the Royals to win it in dramatic fashion. Also with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Mike Trout going a combined 0-13, it was tough for the Angels to come away with runs. These 2 teams will face off in game 2 tonight at 9:37, as Yordano Ventura will toe the slab for the Royals. The Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker, who is still rehabbing from a left oblique strain.
