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 The Royals, who opened their first postseason appearance in 29
years with a record eight consecutive wins, are now one loss away
from elimination in the best-of-seven championship against the San
Francisco Giants.
But Tuesday's Game Six and, if necessary, Wednesday's Game Seven,
will be at Kauffman Stadium in front of success-starved Royals fans
with designated hitter (DH) Billy Butler back in the lineup to beef
up the attack.
Since taking a 4-1 lead in the third inning of Saturday's Game Four,
the Royals have been outscored 15-0 over the next 15 innings and are
in dire need of an offensive spark.
Butler had only one at-bat, as a pinch hitter, in the three games
played under National League rules, which prohibit the use of a DH,
in San Francisco.
"Any time you can get Billy back in the lineup it's huge for us,"
said Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas. "He's a great
hitter and brings a lot to the table for us."
First baseman Eric Hosmer said the home effect he believed had
helped the Giants win the last two games of the series would now
swing to the Royals' favor.
"They give us a lot of energy," Hosmer said about the Royals fans.
"We feed off of them back home."
Beyond the masterful Madison Bumgarner, who has won two games in
this series, San Francisco has been sparked by two of their most
dynamic hitters and personalities.
Hunter Pence has batted a blistering .474 with six runs scored and
five RBIs.
Pablo Sandoval, who required an IV before Game Four after being hit
with nausea from a stomach flu, had a key hit in that win, a
two-out, two-run single that put the Giants ahead for good.
"He’s right up there with some of the great players I’ve had, the
great talents," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of the beefy third
baseman, who is nicknamed "Panda."
"I think good players, great players have a way of rising to the
occasion, and he’s one of those players.
Pence has been an all-round threat, making outstanding plays in the
field as well as in the batter's box.
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"Once we got him, he was every bit what I thought he was, a guy
that came out to play every day, 100 percent in everything he does,"
Bochy said. "That’s why we call him 'Full Throttle.'"
Despite only one really tight game following a postseason full of
nailbiters, this series has been entertaining for its likeable
personalities, emphasis on fundamental baseball and outstanding
glove work.
"Our two teams have grinded the whole year, we’ve battled," said
Hosmer. "It’s always fun when you’re competing against guys who have
proven themselves and have multiple championships.
"So it’s a blast coming into this park and coming into this
environment with the fans, and how much energy they have here and
seeing all the orange out there. It’s the same way in Kansas City.
So it’s been a fun experience."
The Royals, like the Giants, come through as a close-knit team. Many
of the players have come up together through the minor leagues.
"It’s a tough grind to get to this level," Hosmer said. "I remember
when (All Star catcher) Salvador Perez got sent down to rookie ball
and we were in low-A, and it seems like a blink of an eye, and we’re
in the World Series together."
"It’s really special. Our families have gotten really close with
each other. It’s one giant family now."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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