Five key moments from the Royals’ 7-1 win in World Series Game 2
The Kansas City Royals held serve at Kauffman Stadium, defeating the New York Mets 7-1 in Game 2 of the World Series to take a 2-0 series lead.
The star of the game for Kansas City was Johnny Cueto, who pitched the first World Series complete game by an American League pitcher since 1991, when Jack Morris went the distance in Game 7.
The impending free agent has been hit or miss (mostly miss) since joining the Royals, but this makes two strong postseasons starts at home in big spots. He allowed just one run on two hits.
[World Series Journal: The A-Rodification of Kauffman Stadium]
Offensively, it was the same formula that always works so well for Kansas City. They were relentless against Mets’ starter Jacob deGrom, forcing him to throw 94 pitches over five innings. Usually a strikeout artist, deGrom coaxed only three swings and misses in Game 2, while the Royals fouled off 23 of his pitches.
The Royals kept the pressure on, and finally broke through with a four-run fifth inning thanks to run-scoring hits from Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas.
Now, here’s a look at five key moments from the contest, beginning with Cueto’s turn around in the middle innings.
Aside from briefly losing control of the strike zone in the fourth inning, Cueto was outstanding in Game 2. He really settled in though in the fifth and sixth innings, as he retired all six batters in quick succession. That not only allowed him to work deeper in the game, but it allowed Kansas City’s offense to get in rhythm against deGrom and gain control of the game. Cueto finished the game retiring 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.
ESCOBAR BOTCHES THE BUNT, SINGLES HOME TYING RUN
The Royals often live by the bunt, and sometimes die by the bunt. In Game 2, it was the bunt that didn’t work that helped their offense break out. With the Royals down 1-0 in the fifth and two runners on, Escobar twice tried to sacrifice the runners into scoring position. After both bunts ended up foul, Escobar swung away with two strikes and singled home the tying run. The relentless Royals would go on to score four runs in the inning to take control of the game and series.
ERIC HOSMER LOSES TOUCH WITH FIRST BASE
After walking two batters, Cueto looked like he was about to escape a major fourth-inning jam when Yoenis Cespedes hit a sharp grounder to third base. Mike Moustakas came up with the ball, took it to third for the first out and then fired across the diamond to complete the play. However, first-base umpire Mike Winters ruled Hosmer’s foot came off the bag, allowing the inning to continue. It was very close. Had they gone to replay, it likely would have been ruled inconclusive. The play loomed large as the Mets were able to cash in a run, but it didn’t loom for long.
HOSMER’S REDEMPTION, PART TWO
Just like in Game 1, Hosmer was able to make up for his defensive miscue with some critical production at the plate. With two outs and two runners in scoring position in the fifth inning, Hosmer ripped a go-ahead two-run single off deGrom that turned the game completely around in Kansas City’s favor. Redemption was Hosmer’s once again, and the Royals never looked back.
ESCOBAR APPLIES THE FINISHING TOUCHES
The Royals already had more offense than they needed when Escobar stepped up again in the eighth inning, but he wasn’t done adding to his huge postseason. With a runner on third and two runs already in, Escobar laced an RBI triple to center field to officially close the door on Game 2. Escobar finished with two hits, giving him 20 overall in the postseason. He’s hit safely in 12 straight dating back to ALDS Game 2. Perhaps he’s not just satisfied with the ALCS MVP award.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
