Dutchies in the MLB playoffs: ALCS game 3

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The runs didn’t come cheap in game three of the American League Championship Series. After game three was postponed on Monday, the team faced each other on Tuesday.

The O’s scored the opening run in the second inning when Steve Pearce scored on a double by J.J. Hardy.

The Royals came alongside in the bottom of the fourth. First Nori Aoki grouded out to Jonathan Schoop for the 4-3 out. But then two soft fly singles and a walk loaded the bases for Kansas City. A 4-3 ground out by Alex Gordon drove in  Lorenzo Cain from third for the game tying run.

A sac fly by Billy Butler drove in Jarrod Dyson from third in the bottom of the sixth inning. Dyson entered the game as a pinch running replacement for Nori Aoki. The Royals never looked back again.

Greg Holland finished what Jeremy Guthrie started. Holland earned the save, Guthrie got a no decision and Jason Frasor earned the win after  pitching a perfect sixth inning.

Wei-Yin Chen lasted 5.1  innings for the O’s and earned the loss.

Best hitter for the Royals was Eric Hosmer, who went 2 for 3. Billy Butler had the most impact. In his sole at bat he drove in the game winning run.

Jonathan Schoop went 0 for 3 with a strikeout and two runners left on base. He was part of a 4-6-3 double play though. Furthermore he nailed Alcides Escobar on second when Wei-Yin Chen made a throwing error to first base. Escobar tried to reach second base on the error but Schoop backed up and picked up the ball that bounced from the dugout screen en threw a laser towards shortstop J.J. Hardy for the out.

The Royals now have a 3-0 lead over the Orioles. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, except for the Red Sox. I can’t remember against which team that was….. 😉