Kansas City Royals History: 1985 Team Wins First World Series Title

Jumping Out

After just two scoreless innings, during which Saberhagen allowed just one baserunner, the Kansas City Royals jumped out on St. Louis starter John Tudor. Following a one-out walk to Steve Balboni, Darryl Motley cranked a two-run homer just inside the left-field foul pole to give the home team the lead in the bottom of the second inning. It concluded an incredible plate appearance that included another blast down the left-field line that curled foul and a change of lumber.

Saberhagen followed with a 1-2-3 inning to keep the momentum going. That’s when the Royals took advantage of more control issues from the left-handed Tudor. Two walks and a single loaded the bases. Jim Sundberg, who scored the winning run in Game 6, walked to drive in one run before Balboni greeted reliever Billy Campbell with a clutch two-run single.

The Kansas City Royals held that 5-0 lead, while Saberhagen continued to mow down the Cardinals until a six-run fifth inning put the game completely out of reach.

Sundberg, Balboni and Motley hit consecutive singles to start the inning with Motley’s driving in Sundberg. After a pair of outs, Lonnie Smith hit a two-run double and Willie Wilson followed with an RBI-single. George Brett hit his fourth single of the night before Frank White drove in Kansas City’s 10th run. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed Brett to set the final margin at 11-0.