Kansas City: Kansas City reached the brink of the World Series with a 2-1 victory Tuesday over the Baltimore Orioles, keeping the Royals unbeaten in this year’s Major League Baseball playoffs. The Royals took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven American League championship series and can complete a sweep by winning game four Wednesday in Kansas City.
Reaching the playoffs this season for the first time in 29 years, the Royals have won seven post-season games in a row and could reach the World Series for the first time since winning the crown in 1985.
The American League champion will play the National League winner, either St. Louis or San Francisco, in the World Series starting next Tuesday.
Kansas City scored the winning run in the sixth inning in a flurry that began on Nori Aoki’s single, the Japanese standout then being removed for pinch-runner Jarrod Dyson.
Eric Hosmer singled to right to sent the speedy Dyson to third base, and Dyson scored on Billy Butler’s sacrifice fly out to left field.
Kansas City starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie surrendered only three hits in five innings while Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland each hurled hitless innings of relief to seal the triumph.
“They lock it down for us and we’re happy to have it,” said Royals infielder Mike Moustakas. “We’re going to come in tomorrow knowing we’ve still got a final game to win.”
The Orioles opened the scoring in the second inning when Steve Pearce doubled and scored on a double by J.J. Hardy.
But the Royals pulled level in the fourth after Lorenzo Cain and Hosmer singled and advanced when Butler walked to load the bases. Alex Gordon grounded out to second base but Cain scored the tying run on the play before Salavor Perez flew out to end the threat.
