Kansas City Royals: Revisiting the 2015 ALCS Game 6

Having gained the lead to start the game, the Royals knew they had to continue to push forward if they wanted to hold onto it.

In the top of the fourth, Ventura started to show some fatigue. With one out, he gave up a home run to Jose Bautista, allowing the Blue Jays to get on the board. Fortunately, he was able to get out of the inning, giving up a single to Chris Colabello with two outs, but quickly recording a needed strikeout. David Price pulled it together for the fourth, recording three strikeouts on three batters.

The fifth and sixth innings were quiet for both teams. In the top of the fifth, Ventura started with two walks, one to Russell Martin and the other to Kevin Pillar. He was able to prevent any damage, though, pitching the next three batters into outs. David Price again looked good, giving up a single to Alex Rios with one out, but recording the final two outs of the inning shortly after.

The Kansas City Royals kept Ventura on the mound to start the sixth. With one out, he gave up a double to Edwin Encarnacion. The Royals brought in Kelvin Herrera to replace Ventura at this time. Herrera quickly finished the inning with a strikeout and flyball. Price answered strongly again, going three up three down to close out the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, Herrera continued to pitch well, sitting all three Blue Jays batters he faced. In the bottom of the seventh, the Royals looked to get things started again. Moustakas led off with a single to center. Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon followed up with outs, but on Gordon’s groundout, Moustakas was able to advance to second.

Following Gordons out, Toronto brought in Aaron Sanchez to replace David Price. Getting to Sanchez early, Alex Rios singled to left, allowing Moustakas to score. Paulo Orlando was put in at this point to pinch run for Rios. Escobar reached on a single to left, but scoring was stopped short as Sanchez recorded the final out, leaving the seventh with the Royals up 3-1.