MLB Rankings: Greatest Hits in Week-9
7. Whit Merrifield, 39 percent
Carrying a 17-34 record, the Royals didn’t figure to be much of a match for the high-flying Yankees Sunday, even at Royals Stadium.
But the Royals cuffed around Yankee starter Domingo German for seven runs in just five innings and led 7-1 before the visitors staged what seemed like an inevitable rally. Scoring three times in the sixth and three more in the top of the ninth – on a walk and four hits – New York sent the game into extra innings.
If the Royals have had one standout this season, it’s been Merrifield, who in splitting time between second base and the outfield enjoyed a 30-game hitting streak in April. A rare combination of speed and some power, he has as many triples this year as home runs…seven of both.
His .861 OPS made Merrifield the best – and maybe the only – Kansas City hope of taking down the Bronx Bombers.
But four batters preceded Merrifield in the Royals lineup as the bottom of the 10th began and the first of them, Martin Maldonado, whiffed. Billy Hamilton opened the window, drawing a base on balls off Jonathan Holder, and following up by stealing second. Holder retired Nicky Lopez on a ground ball, leaving the issue up to Merrifield.
For one of the few times in Kansas City this season, he sent the faithful home happy. On a 2-1 pitch, Merrifield grounded a single into left field. With Hamilton getting a two-out break off second, the outcome was a given; an 8-7 Royals walk-off.