In a thrilling matchup, the Kansas City Royals secured a crucial 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees, leveling their American League Division Series at one game apiece. The Royals’ offense came alive in the fourth inning, sparked by Salvador Perez’s leadoff homer off Carlos Rodón. This marked the ninth-time All-Star’s fourth career postseason home run.
The Royals’ bats continued to sizzle, with Tommy Pham, Garrett Hampson, and Maikel Garcia each driving in runs. Garcia, promoted to the top of the batting order, had a standout performance with four hits. The Royals’ bullpen proved equally impressive, with four relievers combining to hold the Yankees in check.
Cole Ragans, despite an inconsistent outing, managed to contain the Yankees to just one run over four innings. The Royals’ pitching staff, including winning pitcher Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber, Kris Bubic, and Lucas Erceg, limited the Yankees to just two runs.
The Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton gave his team an early lead with an RBI single in the third, but the Royals’ rally in the fourth proved decisive. Aaron Judge, a strong contender for AL MVP, struggled at the plate, going 1-for-3 with an infield single.
The series now shifts to Kansas City, where the Royals will host their first postseason game since the 2015 World Series. As Cole Ragans noted, “It’s basically like a brand-new series when we get to the K.” With the series tied at one game apiece, the stage is set for an electrifying Game 3 at Kauffman Stadium.
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