Kansas City Royals take Game 5, win World Series

Following 29 seasons of failing to qualify the postseason, the Kansas City Royals barely fell short of a World Series championship in 2014. On Sunday night, the Royals took care of business.

After overcoming a 2-0 deficit in the top of the ninth inning, the Royals would storm back to tie the game at 2, and later piled on five runs in the 12th inning en route to a 7-2 Game 5 victory over the New York Mets, and a 4-1 series victory.

Game 5 set out to be a pitcher’s duel, as both starters pitched very well, keeping the game within range for both teams throughout. New York starter Matt Harvey went eight scoreless innings, yet after being sent out for the ninth, allowed two baserunners that would both score, putting Harvey on the hook for both of the Kansas City runs.

Kansas City’s bullpen continued to shut down the opposition, highlighted on Sunday by hard-throwing right-hander Kelvin Herrera, who went three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three, helping Ned Yost and the Royals conserve their bullpen.

The Royals were able to tie the game in the ninth on just one hit, an RBI double by Eric Hosmer. Kansas City would drive in the 2nd run of the inning on a groundout from Salvador Perez, as Eric Hosmer showcased outstanding baserunning to tie the game at two a piece.

The damage was later done in the 12th inning, with the series-winning RBI going to Christian Colon, who gave the Royals a lead with an RBI single. Alcides Escobar and Lorenzo Cain would both add on with RBI doubles, the latter being a three-run extra base hit, giving the Royals a comfortable 7-2 lead, one they wouldn’t relinquish.

The series win marks the second World Series championship in franchise history for the Royals, and their first since 1985, when Kansas City outlasted the cross-state rival St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game series.

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez was named the World Series MVP, hitting .364 in the series with eight hits and two RBI.