MLB game roundup: Royals one win from World Series

[October 15, 2014]  The Sports Xchange
 
 KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Pinch runner Jarrod Dyson scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning, and Kansas City's shutdown bullpen held the Baltimore Orioles hitless the final four innings as the Royals earned a 2-1 victory Tuesday night to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.

The Royals earned their seventh consecutive postseason win, matching the Colorado Rockies' run to open the 2007 playoffs that thrust them to their only World Series appearance.

One more Kansas City win would seal the best-of-seven series and send the Royals to the World Series.

The Royals forged ahead in the sixth while chasing Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. Right fielder Nori Aoki led off the inning with a single, and Dyson ran for him. First baseman Eric Hosmer drilled a single to right with one out, advancing Dyson to third and finished Chen's evening.

Rookie Kevin Gausman, who made 20 starts during the regular season, was summoned from the bullpen. Royals designated hitter Billy Butler got Dyson home with a sacrifice fly to left.
 

Kansas City right-hander Jason Frasor retired the Orioles in order in the sixth and picked up the victory. Kelvin Herrera, pumping fastballs from 96 to 99 mph, worked a perfect seventh. Wade Davis struck out one in a spotless eighth, and Greg Holland, who logged 46 saves during the regular season, picked up his fifth in the postseason, working a perfect ninth.

The Royals' bullpen has not allowed a run in the past 12 1/3 innings after giving up a run in the sixth inning Friday.

The Orioles did not manage a hit after right fielder Nick Markakis led off the third with a single.

Giants 5, Cardinals 4 (10 innings)

SAN FRANCISCO - Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford raced home from second base on a throwing error by reliever Randy Choate on Gregor Blanco's bunt in the 10th inning to give San Francisco the win and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

The Giants scored four runs in the first inning, but the Cardinals chipped away against right-hander Tim Hudson and eventually tied it on right fielder Randal Grichuk's solo home run off the left field foul pole with one out in the seventh.

Crawford started the 10th off Choate with a walk. Left fielder Juan Perez lined a single to left to put runners at first and second with no outs.

Blanco then fouled off one bunt attempt before getting the next one down to Choate's right. The left-hander fielded the ball, spun and threw wildly past second baseman Kolten Wong, who was covering first base, allowing Crawford to score from second without a throw.

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