Yankees Edge Royals in ALDS Opener
The New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in the American League Division Series (ALDS) opener on Saturday night. Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and made a spectacular sliding catch to help boost the Yankees to victory.
Back-and-Forth Game
The game saw five lead changes, making it the first postseason game with such a high number of lead changes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. New York’s Gleyber Torres and Kansas City’s MJ Melendez hit two-run home runs in a back-and-forth game.
Key Plays
Verdugo’s single scored Jazz Chisholm Jr., who singled leading off the seventh and stole second. The Yankees were just 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position before Verdugo’s hit.
Verdugo also made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fourth-inning fly ball just inside the left-field line to strand two runners.
Post-Game Reaction
"We did have a really good argument that that should have been overturned," Royals manager Matt Quatraro said about the play that gave Verdugo the chance to score.
"I think we did have a really good argument that that should have been overturned," Quatraro said.
Closer
Four Yankees relievers combined to allow only an unearned run over four innings after ace Gerrit Cole came out of the game. Clay Holmes, dropped from his closer’s job last month, worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win. Luke Weaver got four straight outs for the save in his postseason debut.
Lineup
Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, and Royals standout Bobby Witt Jr. was 0 for 5, barking at plate umpire Adam Hamari after a called third strike in the ninth.
Conclusion
The series between the AL-best Yankees and wild-card Royals will resume Monday night. Cole Ragans will start for the Royals in Game 2, facing off against the Yankees’ Carlos Rodón.
FAQs
Q: What was the score of the Yankees-Royals game in the ALDS opener?
A: The Yankees defeated the Royals 6-5.
Q: Who hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning?
A: Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning to score Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Q: What was the significance of Verdugo’s catch?
A: Verdugo made a sliding catch on Michael Massey’s fourth-inning fly ball just inside the left-field line to strand two runners.
Q: Who started for the Yankees in Game 1?
A: Gerrit Cole started for the Yankees in Game 1, allowing four runs – three earned – and seven hits in five-plus innings.
Q: Who will start for the Royals in Game 2?
A: Cole Ragans will start for the Royals in Game 2.
