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 The Royals advance to the AL Championship Series, where they will
meet the Toronto Blue Jays, who eliminated the Texas Rangers earlier
on Wednesday. The series begins on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.
Cueto, who was acquired in a July 26 trade with the Cincinnati Reds,
retired the final 19 batters he faced after third baseman Luis
Valbuena hit a two-run homer in the second inning. It was the only
mistake Cueto made.
The right-hander walked none and struck out eight, his high in 15
starts with the Royals, including two starts in the ALDS.
While Cueto was brought in to be the staff ace, he was disappointing
until Wednesday.
In one five-game stretch, all losses, Cueto had an earned-run
average higher than 9.00, and overall he was 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA in
13 regular-season starts for Kansas City.
However, when the Royals needed him the most -- win or go home --
Cueto came through. It was his first postseason victory. He was 0-2
with a 5.52 ERA in his four previous playoff starts.
Royals right fielder Alex Rios, who had only 32 RBIs in 105
regular-season games, provided the key hit, a two-run double in the
three-run fifth inning that gave Kansas City the lead.
Designated hitter Kendrys Morales put an exclamation point on the
game with a three-run homer off Astros 20-game winner Dallas Keuchel
with two outs in the eighth.
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Keuchel, who was brought in to keep Houston's deficit at a
manageable 4-2, yielded a leadoff double to Alcides Escobar and
intentionally walked Lorenzo Cain before Morales drilled a 2-2
slider over the left field fence.
Morales, who led the Royals with 106 RBIs in the regular season, hit
three home runs in the ALDS.
Kansas City closer Wade Davis worked a flawless ninth to set up a
thunderous roar before 40,566 fans.
(Compiled by Peter Rutherford)
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