Kansas City Royals: Ten Biggest Plays Of 2015

5. October 12, 2015: Drew Butera‘s Walk Loads Bases For Alex Gordon

After losing Game 3 to Dallas Kuechel, the Kansas City Royals once again had their backs to the wall against Houston.

The KC Royals trailed  6-2 in the eighth inning, largely due to 21-year-old Houston shortstop Carlos Correa‘s two home runs.

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Call to the Pen

With the Minute Maid Park anticipating victory, the Kansas City Royals pinged four singles against Astros reliever Walt Harris. Lefty Tony Sipp took the mound and gave up another single, before Carlos Correa muffed a potential double play grounder that allowed the KC Royals to tie the game at 6-6.

However, the game still remained tied with runners on second and third after Mike Moustakas struck out. The Astros brought in closer Luke Gregerson in an attempt to escape the inning still even.

Enter Drew Butera.

The little used backup catcher, who came into the game after manager Ned Yost pinch ran for Salvador Perez in the 7th, now faced the Astros closer with the game on the line. If Gregerson managed to strike out the light-hitting Butera for the second out, the Astros could stave off disaster.

Despite falling behind 0-2, Butera fouled off four tough pitches to eek out a walk. With the bases now loaded, Alex Gordon’s grounder scored Eric Hosmer to put the Kansas City Royals ahead 7-6.

Drew Butera’s walk proved to be a key cog in keeping the line moving all the way to the World Series.

Next: October 17, 2015