Royals sweep Orioles to advance to ALDS

Bring on the Yankees!

For the second-straight day, the Royals and Orioles battled in a pitcher’s duel. Fortunately for Kansas City, it was the same outcome — putting the Royals in the ALDS for the first time since 2015.

The offense got off to a much better start on Wednesday afternoon. After Michael Massey led off the game with a double, Vinnie Pasquantino drove him in on an RBI-single to right field.

With that slim lead, Seth Lugo began to settle in. Though, it was largely due to great defense behind him.

The Orioles, however, eventually snapped their 11-inning scoreless drought in the bottom of the fifth.

Cedric Mullins led off the frame with a bomb to right-center to tie the game and send Camden Yards into a frenzy. Not long after, Baltimore loaded the bases with nobody out. After Lugo got a pop up, Quatraro went to his bullpen.

In came Angel Zerpa and out went Baltimore’s chances of taking the lead. He got the final two outs on a strikeout that hit Colton Cowser and a ground out to Bobby Witt Jr.

In the ensuing inning, the Royals made them pay. With two outs and two on, Witt Jr legged out an infield single to reclaim the lead at 2-1.

In similar fashion to Tuesday, the bullpen shoved. With a combination of Zerpa, Sam Long, John Schreiber and Kris Bubic, the Royals bridged the gap to Lucas Erceg in the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, Erceg slammed the door in Baltimore’s face — eliminating them from the postseason.

The Royals move on to the ALDS and will greet the New York Yankees on Saturday in Yankee Stadium. First pitch is set for 5:38 p.m. CT.