Kansas City Royals beat New York Yankees 5-4 to avoid series sweep – MLB Update
The Kansas City Royals managed to save themselves from a series sweep defeating the New York Yankees 5-4 in the final outing of the three-game series at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, on Wednesday, August 17.
Royals played a vital fourth inning to create some room for their pitcher. Adam Gordon launched a stunning home-run to centre-field for three runs, followed by Billy Butler’s dazzling hit to left-centre for one run homer. These hits took the Royals to a
4-2 lead over the Yankees, who otherwise heading towards another series mark.
The hit Butler launched created some confusion as it touched the railing before coming back to field and Umpires reviewed the replay before confirming it a home-run. Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi made little conversation with the Umpires but agreed on a home-run.
"I guess from the angle some guy saw, they didn't think it was good," the designated hitter, who touched his 15th home-run of the season, said. "But (umpires) have the final call. That's why they make the judgment call."
In the fifth, Eric Hosmer added an RBI single to widen the lead to a 5-2 run.
Royals starter Bruce Chen gave two runs, after allowing two early runs, made little comeback and held the Yankees in the next two innings but had to leave the mound after Russell Martin launched him for a 377-feet long one run homer in the sixth inning.
The Japanese native pitcher still managed to get his eighth win, allowing three runs on seven hits and walking three batters over his 97 pitches of six innings.
"They have a very good eye and they don't swing at bad pitches," said Chen. "I felt like I was trying to make good pitches every single pitch. It is very exciting for us to play the Yankees. They're a very good team."
His win became evident when relievers Louis Coleman and Greg Holland tossed two scoreless innings to create huge pressure over the Yankees.
However, the situation became critical for the Royals when in the ninth inning, when closer Joakim Soria allowed a base stealing hit to Derek Jeter and then a lead reducing RBI single to Robinson Cano. The Royals’ camp had a sigh of relief, looking at Soria
rebound to get his 22nd save of the season.
Bartolo Colon lost his seventh game, working five innings for five runs on seven hits and two walks. Hector Noesi threw scoreless innings but remained helpless to take his team back into the game.
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