Right after Carlos Correa and Colby Rasmus launched seventh inning home runs, the fans at Minute Maid Park were in a frenzy – and who could blame them.
The Astros, who had averaged 104 losses over the past four seasons were suddenly up 6-2 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Just six defensive outs were left. The League Championship Series awaited.
Most inside and outside the stadium saw the end for the defending A.L. champs and the start of a celebration in Houston. Even those of high authority had written Kansas City off and were penciling the Astros into the next round.
Worst tweet ever by @govabbott. Does he know nothing of jinxes? pic.twitter.com/gcqqodjxat
— Kent Sterling (@KentSterling) October 13, 2015
How quickly they forget. Overcoming seemingly insurmountable deficits in the eighth inning are nothing new to the Royals.
In last year’s Wild Card Game versus Oakland, they rallied from four runs down to tie the A’s – eventually winning it in the bottom of the 12th. Monday was more of the same. Ned Yost’s club methodically strung together five consecutive hits – including RBI singles by Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer – to start the top of the eighth against Houston relievers Will Harris and Tony Sipp, making it 6-4.
The next batter, Kendrys Morales, smoked a ground ball that deflected off Sipp’s glove and hopped over the mitt of Correa at shortstop. As the ball rolled into center field, two more runs crossed the plate. In a flash, the game was knotted at six.
To quote the immortal words of the great Yogi Berra, it was “déjà vu all over again.”
For the second time in 377 days, I was convinced the Royals’ season was over, and they proved me wrong. Sometimes being wrong is AWESOME.
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) October 12, 2015
But the Royals would make sure that extra innings would not be required this time. An Alex Gordon RBI groundout soon followed, putting Kansas City in front to stay. Hosmer came through again in the ninth with a long two-run homer.
The nearly unhittable Wade Davis was tasked with a two-inning save – and met the challenge fully. Houston never had a chance. Its bats went as silent as the once-raucous crowd. Kansas City had staved off elimination, evening the series and forcing a deciding Game 5 at Kauffman Stadium, all while showing that there’s still a big of magic left over from 2014.
This group of Royals still doesn’t have much in the way of postseason experience, but enough to prove to their opponents that no lead is ever too large.