BALTIMORE (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit an infield single to drive in the go-ahead run and send the Kansas City Royals into an American League Division Series with a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday for a two-game series. sweep of his wild card series.
With two outs and runners on the corners in the sixth inning, Witt hit a grounder to the edge behind second base, where Jordan Westburg made a diving stop and threw to first. Witt was already there after going 90 feet in 4.14 seconds, allowing Kyle Isbel to score from third.
It was the second consecutive game in which the American League batting champion gave the decisive blow. Witt’s RBI single Tuesday in Game 1 scored the only run in a 1-0 victory.
Kansas City, which suffered two seven-game losing streaks during the final month of the season, advances to face the American League East champion New York Yankees. The first game is Saturday in the Bronx.
Second baseman Michael Massey, who led off the game with a double and scored on Vinnie Pasquantino’s hit, said the front office that brought in seasoned veterans with previous playoff experience like Tommy Pham, Yuli Gurriel, Michael Wacha and Will Smith did this possible.
“They’ve been there before, they’ve done that, so I think it’s helped a lot of guys,” Massey said. “It’s helped us, me, to be around those guys and just watch them, more than anything, and see how they go about their business. I think that’s helped us stay calm.”
The Royals left 12 runners on base and overcame another close game with a razor-thin margin of error thanks to masterful management by Matt Quatraro, himself a postseason rookie like Witt, Game 1 winner Cole Ragans, and so many others. .
Quatraro let starter Seth Lugo out after loading the bases in the fifth before spinning the bullpen wheel, starting with winning pitcher Angel Zerpa, who got KC out of that jam and got the first out of the sixth. John Schreiber got three more outs, Sam Long two, Kris Bubic three and Lucas Erceg the last three to close out the game and earn his second save of the series.
The Orioles were swept in their only playoff series for the second straight year, this time going 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and 5 for 32 combined. They face numerous questions this offseason, from the future of manager Brandon Hyde to the possibility of losing. pending free agent starter Corbin Burnes.
COACH ROOM
Orioles: Left fielder Colton Cowser struck out despite a pitch hitting his left hand in the fifth. He stayed until the sixth before leaving with a sore hand.
UP NEXT
The Royals face off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the ALDS opener, with any starter except Ragans or Lugo rested and ready to play. Wacha had been in line to start Game 3 against Baltimore.