The Kansas City Royals defeated the New York Mets 3-2 in the 12th inning to claim their first World Series title in 30 seasons Sunday night. After being down two runs in the ninth inning, Eric Hosmer dove head first into home on a play that will go down as one of the greatest and most memorable in Royals’ history. The Royals won the series in five games and will come home to a parade that Kansas City has been waiting for, for three long decades.
Leading up to victory
Less than a week after receiving news that his father had passed away in his home country of the Dominican Republic, Edinson Volquez took the mound Sunday night and delivered six strong innings for the Royals that gave them the opportunity to work their magic in the later innings. Kelvin Herrera came in for relief of Volquez and was able to pitch three shutout innings that paved the way for the Royals to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning. After a single by Salvador Perez and a stolen base by pinch runner Jarrod Dyson, it eventually led to a Christian Colon plate appearance. After not even having an at bat since October 4th, Colon came through and gave the Royals their first lead of Game 5.
Alcides Escobar was able to produce in the clutch in the top of the 12th inning and gave the Royals a much needed insurance run, or so we thought. Lorenzo Cain cleared the bases in the next at bat which lead to a 7-2 lead. Wade Davis did what he does in the bottom of the 12th and shut down the Mets in what would cap off an incredible victory for the Kansas City Royals.
Never give up
The Royals had a never-say-die attitude all postseason and were able to force three blown saves out of the Mets’ closer Jeurys Familia throughout the World Series. The Royals were the best team in baseball throughout the postseason scoring 40 runs after the eighth inning, while all other teams combined to plate just five. After coming up just one run short of winning a championship a year ago, the Royals left no doubt as to who the best team in baseball was in 2015.
30 long years and the wait is no more. Congratulations Dayton Moore, Ned Yost, and Kansas City. The Royals are your 2015 World Champions!
