Royals hurt by uncharacteristic mistakes in Game 3 loss to Mets
After two games at Kauffman Stadium, the World Series looked like the Kansas City Royals series to lose. Going in to Game 3, the feeling was the same feeling the Royals have consistently established all season, and especially in the postseason. They were the team setting the pace, meaning the New York Mets would have to play perfect baseball to overcome an 0-2 deficit to win the series.
Then Game 3 happened, and for one night anyway, that script was completely flipped in New York’s 9-3 victory.
[Five key moments from the Mets’ 9-3 win in World Series Game 3]
After struggling to match the Royals pitch-for-pitch and hit-for-hit in Games 1 and 2, New York had no such troubles back home at Citi Field. In fact, the Mets were the team setting the pace, beginning with Noah Syndergaard’s first-pitch message, and this time it was the Royals who uncharacteristically crumpled under the weight.
Credit the Mets first and foremost. With their backs against the wall, the offense responded by knocking around Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura early and often, and ultimately knocking him from the game in the fourth inning. Call it the comforts of playing at home, because we’re sure that factored in to some degree. But Ventura’s struggles played in as well, as he was unable to command the strike zone or keep batters off balance as Johnny Cueto did consistently in Game 2.
The Mets took full advantage, racking up five runs on seven hits — including two-run homers from David Wright and Curtis Granderson — in Ventura’s 3 1/3 innings.
It was clear the Mets show of offensive force had Ventura rattled by the fourth inning. After Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud reached to start the inning, Michael Conforto ripped a ground ball to first baseman Eric Hosmer that should have been the first out of the inning. However, Ventura got caught up in his own mind, deciding to back up home plate instead of covering the base. That cost the Royals an out, and the run scored anyway to extend the Mets lead.
Granted, Ventura is perhaps the most vulnerable of Kansas City’s pitchers in terms of keeping his focus. We’ve seen him involved in some dust ups this season that were born from very little, aside from his own frustration. On a larger scale though, these are the types of mistakes the Royals generally force or take advantage of, and certainly not the mistakes they commit or succumb to.
Game 3 was different, and it wasn’t just Ventura.
Two innings later, left-handed reliever Franklin Morales had his own moment on the hill. With one out, one in and runners on the corners, Morales fielded a comebacker off the bat of Curtis Granderson and had no idea where to go with the baseball. Morales looked to second, then he looked home, then he looked to third, before turning to second base and throwing the baseball away.
[From Tim Brown: Mets hope to rediscover their postseason magic at home]
Again, it was a lack of focus that led to a rare error Royals blunder. Rather than turning a potential inning-ending double play, the Mets had the bases loaded, and that was only because Ben Zobrist was able to keep Morales’ throw from reaching the outfield. But it wouldn’t matter. One batter later, David Wright dropped a two-run single into center field, and the Mets eventually put the game away with a four-run inning.
That’s also pretty rough, and perhaps a good indication Morales can be vulnerable as well in big spots.
Whatever the reason or reasons, Friday wasn’t the Royals night. Their formula for success was thrown back at them, and they flat out dropped it. Now we have a series, and a very intriguing Game 4 coming up on Saturday. Which team will set the pace, and perhaps more importantly, can the other team overcome that?
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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
