ALDS Game 5: Johnny Cueto’s gem against Astros puts Royals in ALCS
The #Yostseason is happening all over again. The Kansas City Royals are heading to the ALCS for the second straight season after defeating the Houston Astros 7-2.
The Royals took the game in a familiar fashion. After a big comeback inning helped the club overtake the Astros in Game 4, they did it again in Game 5. This time, the Royals struck in the fifth inning.
Alex Rios played a key role, driving in two runs on a double down the third base line during the frame. Ned Yost’s decision to bunt with Alcides Escobar would pay off, as Ben Zobrist would drive in Rios on a sac fly.
When the inning had finished, the Astros suddenly found themselves down by two runs. The Royals had delivered yet another punch to the gut.
• Johnny Cueto came into the game with some questions, but quieted every single doubter. Cueto made one mistake, giving up a two-run shot against Luis Valbuena, but was otherwise awesome. The right-hander set down the final 19 hitters he faced. He gave up just two runs on two hits over eight innings, striking out eight. It was a huge start for the man who was supposed to be the Royals ace when he was acquired at the deadline.
• Rios again got the job done. He started the team’s rally in Game 4, so it was fitting that he came through with the big hit in Game 5. Rios’ double in the fifth inning put the Royals ahead for good. Looks like he’s making up for lost time after not making the postseason during his first 11 years in the majors. Rios also had a single earlier in the game. He finished 2-for-3, with one run scored and two RBI.
• Kendrys Morales put the nail in the Astros coffin in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two men on, his three-run homer off Dallas Keuchel officially put the game out of reach. It was Morales only hit of the game, but it was a huge one.
• Collin McHugh had a tough start. He looked solid early, but was able to get by despite the Royals making some strong contact. In the fifth, they finally got to him. McHugh hit Salvador Perez and then gave up a double to Alex Gordon to put two men in scoring position. Though he was removed for Mike Fiers at that point, he put the eventual go-ahead run in scoring position.
• Mike Fiers came on in relief of McHugh and couldn’t get the job done. He was pitching on 15 days rest, but that didn’t stop him from giving up the go-ahead double against Rios. He later allowed the Zobrist sac fly, which gave the Royals a bigger lead.
• Colby Rasmus played the hero so many times during this series, but faltered in Game 5. The 29-year-old went 0-for-3 at the plate, striking out three times. He hit .429 during the series, so it’s tough to blame him for having one bad game.
• Dallas Keuchel’s first relief appearance of the season didn’t go so well. The Cy Young contender gave up two hits, including a three-run bomb to Morales that put the game out of reach for Houston.
Every single Cueto strikeout, or really any single Cueto pitch after the second inning works here. Still, we have to go with the Rios double. Rios didn’t have particularly strong numbers in the regular season, but he’s come through twice in key moments during the postseason. Wednesday’s hit down the third base line was just barely fair, and put the Royals ahead for good. Not bad for the No. 9 hitter.
Johnny Cueto finally coming through. When he was acquired in July, this is what every Royals fan dreamed about. Cueto had his issues in the second half, and didn’t have a particularly great start in Game 2, but he was undoubtedly an ace with the season on the line. If Cueto is fixed, the Royals are going to be tough to beat in the ALCS.
The Royals are heading to the ALCS. Game 1 will take place Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET. It will be broadcast on FOX. The Royals will take on the Blue Jays in Kansas City. The pitchers are currently listed as TBD. It’s expected David Price will be available for Toronto. It’s unclear who will go for the Royals, though Edinson Volquez would be in line for the start.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
