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KC 9, OAK 8: Perez's 12th-inning walkoff lifts Royals to improbable comeback in AL wild-card game

Ed Zurga / Getty

The Kansas City Royals erased a late four-run deficit to force extra innings before Salvador Perez delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th to secure a 9-8 victory over the Oakland Athletics in the American League wild-card game Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

The Athletics appeared destined for their third consecutive trip to the American League Division Series as they took a 7-3 lead into the eighth inning. The Royals, however, chased left-hander Jon Lester from the game in the bottom of the eighth, ultimately reducing their deficit to one run on a series of run-scoring singles and a wild pitch from reliever Luke Gregerson.

The Royals proceeded to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, when Norichika Aoki plated pinch-runner Jarrod Dyson with a sacrifice fly just moments after the speedster swiped third base off closer Sean Doolittle, consequently sending the contest to extra innings.

Royals manager Ned Yost promptly summoned rookie Brandon Finnegan out of the bullpen and the left-hander responded with aplomb, tossing two scoreless innings before issuing a leadoff walk to Josh Reddick in the 12th inning. Finnegan was removed from the game one batter later after Reddick advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Jed Lowrie, yielding to veteran right-hander Jason Frasor.

Frasor, however, immediately uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Reddick to advance to third, and shortly therafter surrendered a single to pinch-hitter Alberto Callaspo that allowed the go-ahead run to score.

The Royals refused to relent, though, as Eric Hosmer crushed a one-out triple off reliever Dan Otero off the wall in left field and scored on Christian Colon's infield single in the subsequent at-bat, tying the game at 8-8. Athletics manager Bob Melvin then summoned Fernando Abad from the bullpen, and the left-hander quickly induced a foul popout from Alex Gordon before yielding to right-hander Jason Hammel.

With two outs in the bottom of the 12th, Colon swiped second base to put the winning run in scoring position with Perez at the plate, eager to redeem himself after going hitless in his previous five at-bats. The 24-year-old indeed delivered, ripping a ground ball past the outstretched glove of a diving Josh Donaldson to score Colon and send the Royals to the American League Division Series.

X-factor

The Royals became just the second team since 1920 to record seven stolen bases in a postseason game, as Alcides Escobar, Norichika Aoki, Lorenzo Cain, Terrance Gore, Alex Gordon, Jarrod Dyson, and Christian Colon each pilfered a bag Tuesday night. Ned Yost, a decidedly traditional manager, also called for four sacrifice bunts, employing a host of small-ball tactics in the winning effort.

Starting pitchers' lines

Pitcher IP H R ER BB K
Jon Lester 7.1 8 6 6 2 5
James Shields 5 5 4 4 2 6

Highlights

Brandon Moss promptly vindicated his manager's decision to leave him in the lineup Tuesday, crushing a two-run shot off right-hander James Shields in the first inning.

Lorenzo Cain's third-inning double off starter Jon Lester afforded the Royals a brief 3-2 lead.

Moss welcomed rookie Yordano Ventura into the game with a mammoth three-run homer to center field in the top of the sixth inning.

Eric Hosmer hastily scampered home when Luke Gregerson unleashed a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning, reducing Kansas City's deficit to one run.

Jarrod Dyson swiped third base to bring the tying run within 90 feet in the bottom of the ninth, narrowly beating the throw from catcher Derek Norris before celebrating with swagger.

After going hitless in his first five at-bats, Salvador Perez ripped a hot shot past the glove of third baseman Josh Donaldson to plate the winning run and send the Royals to the ALDS.

[Courtesy: MLB.com]

Quote of the Night

Up Next

The Royals will open a best-of-five showdown with the Los Angeles Angeles on Thursday, where they will square off against right-hander Jered Weaver in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

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