Cueto Throws Complete Game as Royals Grab 2-0 Series Lead

Johnny Cueto threw a complete game, and was backed by a four-run 5th inning, as the Royals jumped out to a 2-0 series lead at Kauffman Stadium Wednesday night.

Both starting pitchers came out firing, as Cueto and Jacob deGrom both threw three no-hit innings to begin the game.

Lucas Duda broke up the no-hitter, while driving in Curtis Granderson, who led off the inning with a walk, to put the Mets up 1-0.

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However, the Royals jumped all over deGrom in the bottom of the 5th, with the first four Royals batter reaching, ending with an Alcides Escobar RBI single, driving in Alex Gordon, and tying the game at 1-1.

After Ben Zobrist grounded out to first and advanced the Royals runners to 2nd and 3rd, and Lorenzo Cain lined out, Eric Hosmer singled up the middle to drive in Alex Rios and Escobar, putting the Royals up 3-1.

Kendrys Morales followed with a single, and was trailed by a Mike Moustakas single, driving in Hosmer, and padding the Royals lead at 4-1.

For the second consecutive night, the Royals stifled the Mets swing-and-miss pitching,  whiffing just three times against deGrom, tied for a season low.

Tonight was also the first game of deGrom’s career in which he did not produce a swing and miss on his fastball.

Cueto, meanwhile, cruised through his nine innings of work, giving up just the one run on only two hits and three walks, while striking out four Mets.

With his performance, Cueto became just the third pitcher ever with two 8+ inning, two-hit starts in their postseason careers.

The other two being Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.

The Royals offense also wasn’t done scoring, tacking on three more runs in the bottom of the 8th on an RBI double by Gordon and a sacrifice fly from Paulo Orlando to put the Royals up 6-1.

Escobar followed with an RBI double to deep center field, making it a 7-1 lead.

Cueto walked Daniel Murphy with two outs in the 9th, but got Yoenis Cespedes to fly out to right field to complete the first complete game of his postseason career.

Next: Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets, Game Three of the 2015 World Series, Friday, October 30, 7:00 PM CT, Citi Field; RHP Yordano Ventura (0-1, 5.09 ERA) vs. Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 2.77 ERA)

Next: Sal Perez Shin Guard Could Force Rule Change