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KC 2, BAL 1: Royals advance to World Series with sweep of Orioles

Denny Medley / USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals are returning to the World Series for the first time in 29 years.

Royals starter Jason Vargas allowed one run off two hits in 5 1/3 innings, while closer Greg Holland shut the door in the ninth, as Kansas City swept the Baltimore Orioles with a 2-1 win in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday.

Holland was uncharacteristically shaky facing the heart of the Orioles order in the ninth, but retired J.J. Hardy with the tying run on first base to preserve the win.

The Royals, who became the first team in postseason history to win eight straight games, opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the first inning without hitting a ball out of the infield.

Eric Hosmer hit a ground ball to Orioles first baseman Steve Pearce, who fired home to get Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar who was hustling home from third. However, catcher Caleb Joseph lost the ball on the tag, allowing two runners to score on the play.

Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis tossed 2 2/3 of shutout ball in relief of Vargas before handing the ball over to Holland for the ninth.

Making his first start of the postseason, Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez gave the Orioles a valiant effort at avoiding elimination after allowing two runs (one earned) off four hits, four walks and four strike outs in 5 2/3 innings.

Orioles third baseman Ryan Flaherty cut the lead in half with a lead-off home run to left field in the third inning.

Starting pitchers' lines

Pitcher IP H R ER BB K
Miguel Gonzalez 5.2 4 2 1 4 4
Jason Vargas 5.1 2 1 1 3 6

X-Factor

Pearce's throw home in the first inning was in time to get Escobar, but Joseph's inability to make the tag with two hands resulted in a pair of Royals to score. The catcher initially caught the ball, but lost it as he moved his glove across to apply the tag. As Escobar slid, the loose ball bounced off his leg and ricocheted away, allowing Royals right fielder Norichika Aoki to come around to score the eventual winning run.

Highlight

Holland gets Hardy to ground out to end the game, securing the sweep:

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Alex Gordon makes an outstanding grab to rob Hardy of a hit. 

(Courtney: MLB.com)

Joseph's error allows a pair of runners to score. 

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Quote of the Night

Up Next

Kansas City will open Game 1 of the World Series at home on Tuesday against either the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals.

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