The Royals defeat Orioles in the AL Wild Card Series to reach ALDS

BALTIMORE – Bobby Witt Jr. hit an infield single to lead off the run and send the Kansas City Royals to the American League Division Series with a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, taking them two games AL Wild Card Series.

With two outs and runners on the corners in the sixth inning, Witt hit a grounder to the edge of the dirt behind second base, where Jordan Westburg made a diving stop and threw to first base. Witt was already there, having reached 90 feet in 4.14 seconds, allowing Kyle Isbel to score from third place.

It was the second game in a row in which the AL batting champions scored the game-winning goal. Witt's RBI single Tuesday in Game 1 scored the only run in a 1-0 win.

Kansas City, which suffered two seven-game losses in the final month of the season, faces the AL East champion New York Yankees. Game 1 takes place on Saturday in the Bronx.

Second baseman Michael Massey, who led the game with a double and scored on a hit by Vinnie Pasquantino, said the inclusion of seasoned veterans with previous playoff experience in the front office such as Tommy Pham, Yuli Gurriel, Michael Wacha and Will Smith made this possible.

“They've been there before, they've done it, so I think it helped a lot of people,” Massey said. “It definitely helped us being around these guys and just watching them, more than anything, and seeing how they go about their business. I think that helped us stay balanced.”

The Royals left 12 runners on base and survived another close game with a razor-thin margin of error thanks to masterful management from Matt Quatraro, a postseason rookie himself like Witt, Game 1 winner Cole Ragans and so many others.

Quatraro allowed starter Seth Lugo to get one out after loading the bases in the fifth before turning the bullpen roulette, starting with winning pitcher Angel Zerpa, who got KC out of that jam and got the first out of the sixth. John Schreiber got three more outs, Sam Long two, Kris Bubic three and Lucas Erceg the final three, completing his second save of the series.

The Orioles were defeated for the second straight time in their only playoff series, this time 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position and 5 for 32 combined. They face numerous offseason questions, from the future of manager Brandon Hyde to the possibility of losing impending free-agent starter Corbin Burnes.

TRAINING ROOM

Orioles: Left fielder Colton Cowser struck out despite being hit in the left hand by a pitch in the fifth. He stayed in until the sixth time before he left with pain in his hand.

NEXT

The Royals face Yankees ace Gerrit Cole in the opening game of the ALDS, with all starters except Ragans and Lugo rested and ready to go. Wacha started Game 3 against Baltimore.