ALDS Game 2: Kansas City Royals edge Houston Astros 5-4 to tie series

By Tim Haberin |

For nearly six innings it appeared that the Houston Astros might follow the lead of their Texas co-residents and take a commanding 2-0 lead in their Division Series battle. The Kansas City Royals had other ideas.

The Royals knew the prognosis wasn’t good if they dropped this game. They would then need to travel to Houston and face Cy Young frontrunner Dallas Keuchel in an attempt to stave off elimination. The same Dallas Keuchel that still hasn’t taken a loss at home in the year 2015.

Fortunately for Kansas City, they won’t have to experience that horrifying scenario.

The Astros wasted little time getting to Royals starter Johnny Cueto, who struggled in his first playoff start with KC much like he struggled after being traded there during the regular season. Colby Rasmus, who has been a one-man wrecking crew for Houston in the early days of this postseason, got the ‘Stros on the board with an RBI double in the top of the first.

George Springer added a two-run single with the bases load in the second to give Houston a quick 3-0 lead.

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Royals catcher Salvador Perez hit a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning off Scott Kazmir to get his team on the board, but Rasmus struck again in the top of the third, belting a home run (his third of the postseason) to push the score to 4-1.

KC got a run back in the bottom of third as right fielder Alex Rios scored on a double-play grounder off the bat of second baseman Ben Zobrist.

The tide really began to turn for the Royals in the sixth inning. After a one-out double from Lorenzo Cain, the Astros pulled Kazmir in favor of Oliver Perez. Eric Hosmer poked a bloop single out to left field off the veteran southpaw, scoring Cain and bringing Kansas City to within one run.

After a Kendrys Morales single and a walk to Mike Moustakas, Houston went to the bullpen again, this time calling on Josh Fields. The 30-year-old right-hander walked Salvador Perez on a pitch well outside of the zone, allowing the tying run to cross the plate.

The Royals continued to ride their momentum in the bottom of the seventh, as Alcides Escobar led off with a triple against Astros reliever Will Harris. Ben Zobrist followed with a single through the left side of the infield, giving Houston a hard-fought 5-4 advantage that would hold up with the help of scoreless innings from Ryan Madson and Wade Davis.

With the victory, the Royals actually became the first home team to win a game this postseason. Both clubs now look ahead to Game 3, a Sunday afternoon date that will feature Edinson Volquez and Dallas Keuchel on the mound.

Next: ALDS Game 2: Rangers top Jays in 14

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