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Royals Sweep Orioles in AL Wild Card Series, Advance to ALDS Against Yankees
04
Oct
Oct
Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a critical infield single that drove in the go-ahead run, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series. This win completed a two-game sweep and propelled the Royals into the AL Division Series, where they will face the New York Yankees.
With two outs and runners at the corners in the sixth inning, Witt made a crucial play. He hit a grounder just beyond second base, which Orioles shortstop Jordan Westburg managed to stop with a diving effort. However, Witt’s speed—covering 90 feet in just 4.14 seconds—ensured that he reached first base safely, allowing Kyle Isbel to score from third.
This was Witt’s second consecutive game providing the decisive hit in his postseason debut; his RBI single in Game 1 secured a 1-0 victory for the Royals.
Kansas City, which faced challenges throughout the season, including two seven-game losing streaks in the final month, is set to take on the AL East champion Yankees, with Game 1 scheduled for Saturday in the Bronx.
Second baseman Michael Massey, who started the game with a double and scored on a hit from Vinnie Pasquantino, credited the front office’s decision to bring in experienced veterans like Tommy Pham, Yuli Gurriel, Michael Wacha, and Will Smith. “They’ve been there before, and their experience has been invaluable for us,” Massey said. “Just watching how they handle themselves has really helped us maintain our composure.”
Despite leaving 12 runners on base, the Royals managed to pull through another tightly contested game thanks to the strategic management of Matt Quatraro. Like Witt, Quatraro is also a postseason rookie, but he effectively navigated the challenges of the game.
After starter Seth Lugo loaded the bases in the fifth inning, Quatraro made quick decisions with his bullpen. Winning pitcher Angel Zerpa came in to escape the jam, followed by John Schreiber, Sam Long, Kris Bubic, and Lucas Erceg, who recorded the final three outs for his second save of the series.
On the other hand, the Orioles faced disappointment, suffering a sweep in their only playoff series for the second consecutive year. They struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1 for 13 in this series and 5 for 32 overall. As they head into the offseason, they face critical questions, including the future of manager Brandon Hyde and the potential loss of free-agent starter Corbin Burnes.
