KC Royals: Ten Most Dominant Starts In Royals Playoff History

Oct 28, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) celebrates with shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) after retiring the New York Mets in the 8th inning in game two of the 2015 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

1. 2015 World Series, Game 2

Johnny Cueto: 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K

Game Score: 80

Game Result: Royals 7, Mets 1

Yes, KC Royals fans. Johnny Cueto’s Game 2 win over the New York Mets is the most dominant playoff start in franchise history.

Given that Cueto pitched the Kansas City Royals to victory in two pivotal games on the way to the 2015 World Series title, I guess that means he was worth the three prospects general manager Dayton Moore gave up to get him at the trade deadline.

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In Kansas City’s only “easy” win in the World Series, Johnny Cueto again held a playoff opponent to two hits. However, like in his Game 5 win over the Astros, Johnny Cueto gave up the game’s first run.

After trading scoreless innings with Jacob deGrom for three innings, Johnny Cueto issued a leadoff walk to right fielder Curtis Granderson to open the fourth inning. After getting Mets third baseman David Wright on a popup, Cueto walked second baseman David Murphy. Cueto looked like he’d escape without damage after he retired left fielder Yoenis Cespedes on the grounder to third, but Lucas Duda stroked a single to left to score Murphy.

At that point, the run looked like a big deal. The KC Royals had stolen an extra inning victory in Game 1 after trailing in the eighth inning, and the Mets were looking to draw even.

The Kansas City Royals got to deGrom in the bottom of the fifth, using a walk and five singles to plate four runs. Kansas City put the game away with three runs in the eighth, highlighted by an Alex Gordon double and an RBI triple from Alcides Escobar.

Meanwhile, Johnny Cueto retired 15 straight batters after Duda’s hit. The Mets didn’t get a base-runner until Cueto walked Daniel Murphy with two out in the ninth. But, Cueto finished off Cespedes with a fly to right.

Kansas City’s second win in a row put the Royals in firm control of the series two games to none. KC Royals fans know the rest: Kansas City pulled off two more late inning miracles in New York to finish off the Mets in five games.

Next: The Curious Case Of Charlie Leibrandt

1. 2015 World Series, Game 2

Schedule