Royals overcome impossible odds with 7-run ninth
Never count out the defending World Series champs.
Entering the bottom of the ninth inning down 7-1 to the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals' night appeared to be over, especially after starting catcher Salvador Perez was helped off the field just a half-inning earlier.
Then it happened: The Royals rallied in traditional Kansas City small-ball fashion, setting the stage for designated hitter Brett Eibner's walk-off single:
Player | At-bat result | Score |
---|---|---|
Paulo Orlando | Strikeout | 7-1 |
Cheslor Cuthbert | Single | 7-1 |
Brett Eibner | Double | 7-1 |
Omar Infante | Walk | 7-1 |
Alcides Escobar | Walk | 7-2 |
Whit Merrifield | Single | 7-4 |
Lorenzo Cain | Groundout | 7-5 |
Eric Hosmer | Double | 7-6 |
Drew Butera | Double | 7-7 |
Orlando | Walk | 7-7 |
Jarrod Dyson | Walk | 7-7 |
Eibner | Single | 8-7 |
Just how unlikely was Kansas City's comeback? Since 1910, MLB teams are only 5-2810 when entering the bottom of the ninth down by six runs. It was also the Royals' largest-ninth inning comeback in franchise history.
The loss also knocked Chicago out of first place, as the White Sox have now lost five in a row and 13 of their last 17.
(Video courtesy: MLB.com)