American League Championship Series
Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals
Coming off of their Game 5 victories, the Toronto Blue Jays faced off against the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. The Royals would take Game 1, winning 5-0.
On the mound for the Royals would be Edinson Volquez. Coming into the game, Volquez was 0-1 in the playoffs, losing game 3 of the ALDS. Volquez was lights out today though, going 6 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits.
Marco Estrada would start the game for the Blue Jays. Estrada was 1-0 in the playoffs before the game, winning the Game 3 matchup against the Texas Rangers. Estrada would struggle today, going 5.1, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits.
The Royals would get pressure in the first inning when Alcides Escobar doubled to begin the inning. Estrada would get out of the inning, forcing the next three batters out.
In the third, the Royals would be the first to get runs on the board. Following an Alex Gordon double and Alex Rios strikeout, Escobar would get his second double of the game, scoring Gordon and giving the Royals the 1-0 lead. Escobar would score to give the Royals a 2 run lead after a Lorenzo Cain single.
In the next inning, the Royals would only expand their Game 1 lead. Following Kendrys Morales and Mike Moustakas strikeouts, Salvador Perez would homer to left center field, giving the Royals a 3 run lead.
In the top of the 6th inning, the Blue Jays would finally string some offense together and began to threaten to score. Following walks to Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista, the Blue Jays had a runner in scoring position with nobody out. Volquez would get out of the inning though, striking out two and a getting a line out.
In the bottom of the 8th, the Royals would put the final nails in the coffin. After LaTroy Hawkins hit Escobar, Ben Zobrist would reach on an infield single, moving Escobar into scoring position. Eric Hosmer would double on the next at bat, scoring Escobar and moving Zobrist to third. Morales would fly out to left on the next at bat, scoring Zobrist and giving the Royals a 5-0 lead.
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Luke Hochevar would come in with hopes of ending the game and giving the Royals a 1-0 lead in the ALCS. Hochevar would do exactly that, forcing Troy Tulowitzki, Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins out, ending the game and giving the Royals the lead.
Player of the game- Edinson Volquez
Volquez was lights out, pitching 6 innings, allowing only 2 hits. Volquez made the need for runs not as important for the Royals.
ALCS Game 2 (Royals Lead 1-0)
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After defeating the Blue Jays in Game 1, the Royals will turn to Yordano Ventura in Game 2. Ventura will go up against David Price for the Blue Jays. The game is set to place Sunday, October 17 with a 4:07 first pitch.