Game one of the 2015 Fall Classic was the longest opening act in the Fall Classic ever. In terms of innings. All 14 of them. Well, one out when the winning run scored in the bottom of the fourteenth. But it was one wild game!
Usually, game one of the World Series is the game where both teams sort of feel their way into the action, resulting in a snore-fest that is quickly forgotten. But the Kansas City Royals won a most unforgettable game one. It
The New York Mets knew they didn't have home-field advantage, and probably thought they'd catch 'em royally napping. It did not prove to be the case. Kansas was just as determined as New York. The Toronto Blue Jays had given them all they could handle in the ALCS, while New York had a sweep over Chicago. Did the rest hurt the Mets?
The score was tied 3-3 after seven, but the visiting New Yorkers untied it with a breakthrough in the top of the eighth. Two were down, when suddenly the Mets made their move. Juan Lagares, who'd come into the game as a defensive replacement in centre in the bottom of the sixth, singled to keep the inning alive. Now, he had to get into scoring position to put the pressure one. He stole second to take care of that. Wimer Flores grounded to first, just like Mookie Wilson of the Mets had in 1986. And like 1986, an error on the play resulted in the Mets scoring a run. 4-3.
So, bottom of the ninth, Jeurys Familia on to nail it down, and a Royal comeback ensued. Familia got one out, but then Alex Gordon tied the game with a dramatic solo home run! 4-4! Familia got the next two batters out, however, and extra innings would be needed.
Wade Davis pitched the top of the eleventh for the Royals, and had a 1-2-3 inning. He struck out the side on 18 pitches, with each batter lasting six pitches. Jon Niese also had a 1-2-3 inning for the Mets in the 10th, but could only fan two. The Mets put two one with two down in the top of the eleventh, but could not get a run off new pitcher Ryan Madson. Niese gave up a single himself in the bottom of the frame, but got out of there and picked up his third strikeout.
Chris Young had a 1-2-3 inning of his own for Kansas in the top of the twelve. Bartolo Colon came in to pitch for New York, and Kansas looked like they had it. A single, a bunt, an intentional walk. Two on, one out. A grounder moved the tying run ninety feet away, but now there were two down. Eric Hosmer batted, and Colon walked him intentionally, too. Jarrod Dyson, who had entered the game earlier as a pinch runner, flied out to centre to end that stress for the Mets.
But Chris Young was in the zone for the Royals. He got through the top of the thirteenth and fourteenth with no damage. In fact, he gave up no hits and just one walk. The game stayed tied at four, as Colon matched him in the bottom of the thirteenth by facing just four batters. Colon came undone in the bottom of the fourteenth, as this masterpiece game came to an end.
Alcides Escobar reached on an error. Ben Zobrist singled him to third. Colon was in trouble. Winning run on third, and only a force at second. So Lorenzo Cain, with first occupied by Zobrist, was walked intentionally to load the bases. The batter was now Hosmer.
The bases were loaded and there were no outs. All Eric had to do was get the ball to the outfield. Which is what he did on the fifth pitch of the at bat, Hosmer lofted one to right. Curtis Granderson made the catch, of course, but it was Escobar who motored home with the game winning run.
The Royals, as of this writing, were inspired. Kansas City took game two, before heading to New York and getting a split to go up three games to one. Tonight, it will be the Royals looking to put the nail in the Mets' coffin. While it's only been four games (And might possibly only go five), the 2015 Fall Classic has kept up with the October (But now November at this point) tradition of keeping the fans on the edge of their seats. And in 2015, it was as early as game one.
References
Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/. Web. (1 Nov. 2015).
Berg, Ted. "10 Crazy Facts about the Royals and Mets' 14-inning Game 1 Marathon." For The Win. Usa Today Sports, 28 Oct. 2015. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/10/world-series-game-1-14-innings-facts-mlb-mets-royals Web. (1 Nov. 2015).
Usually, game one of the World Series is the game where both teams sort of feel their way into the action, resulting in a snore-fest that is quickly forgotten. But the Kansas City Royals won a most unforgettable game one. It
The New York Mets knew they didn't have home-field advantage, and probably thought they'd catch 'em royally napping. It did not prove to be the case. Kansas was just as determined as New York. The Toronto Blue Jays had given them all they could handle in the ALCS, while New York had a sweep over Chicago. Did the rest hurt the Mets?
The score was tied 3-3 after seven, but the visiting New Yorkers untied it with a breakthrough in the top of the eighth. Two were down, when suddenly the Mets made their move. Juan Lagares, who'd come into the game as a defensive replacement in centre in the bottom of the sixth, singled to keep the inning alive. Now, he had to get into scoring position to put the pressure one. He stole second to take care of that. Wimer Flores grounded to first, just like Mookie Wilson of the Mets had in 1986. And like 1986, an error on the play resulted in the Mets scoring a run. 4-3.
So, bottom of the ninth, Jeurys Familia on to nail it down, and a Royal comeback ensued. Familia got one out, but then Alex Gordon tied the game with a dramatic solo home run! 4-4! Familia got the next two batters out, however, and extra innings would be needed.
Wade Davis pitched the top of the eleventh for the Royals, and had a 1-2-3 inning. He struck out the side on 18 pitches, with each batter lasting six pitches. Jon Niese also had a 1-2-3 inning for the Mets in the 10th, but could only fan two. The Mets put two one with two down in the top of the eleventh, but could not get a run off new pitcher Ryan Madson. Niese gave up a single himself in the bottom of the frame, but got out of there and picked up his third strikeout.
Chris Young had a 1-2-3 inning of his own for Kansas in the top of the twelve. Bartolo Colon came in to pitch for New York, and Kansas looked like they had it. A single, a bunt, an intentional walk. Two on, one out. A grounder moved the tying run ninety feet away, but now there were two down. Eric Hosmer batted, and Colon walked him intentionally, too. Jarrod Dyson, who had entered the game earlier as a pinch runner, flied out to centre to end that stress for the Mets.
But Chris Young was in the zone for the Royals. He got through the top of the thirteenth and fourteenth with no damage. In fact, he gave up no hits and just one walk. The game stayed tied at four, as Colon matched him in the bottom of the thirteenth by facing just four batters. Colon came undone in the bottom of the fourteenth, as this masterpiece game came to an end.
Alcides Escobar reached on an error. Ben Zobrist singled him to third. Colon was in trouble. Winning run on third, and only a force at second. So Lorenzo Cain, with first occupied by Zobrist, was walked intentionally to load the bases. The batter was now Hosmer.
The bases were loaded and there were no outs. All Eric had to do was get the ball to the outfield. Which is what he did on the fifth pitch of the at bat, Hosmer lofted one to right. Curtis Granderson made the catch, of course, but it was Escobar who motored home with the game winning run.
The Royals, as of this writing, were inspired. Kansas City took game two, before heading to New York and getting a split to go up three games to one. Tonight, it will be the Royals looking to put the nail in the Mets' coffin. While it's only been four games (And might possibly only go five), the 2015 Fall Classic has kept up with the October (But now November at this point) tradition of keeping the fans on the edge of their seats. And in 2015, it was as early as game one.
References
Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com - Major
League Statistics and Information. http://www.baseball-reference.com/.
Web. (1 Nov. 2015).
Berg, Ted. "10 Crazy Facts about the Royals and Mets' 14-inning Game 1 Marathon." For The Win. Usa Today Sports, 28 Oct. 2015. http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/10/world-series-game-1-14-innings-facts-mlb-mets-royals Web. (1 Nov. 2015).
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