Cueto returns to dominant form in series-clinching win

Kansas City Royals right-hander Johnny Cueto saved his best bullets for when it mattered the most.

Taking the mound in the single-elimination showdown against the Houston Astros in Game 5 of the ALDS, Cueto was the pitcher the Royals hoped they were getting when they traded a trio of prospects to the Cincinnati Reds at the non-waiver trade deadline for the 29-year-old.

The pending free agent allowed two runs off two hits over eight innings while striking out eight, as the Royals advanced to the ALCS for a second straight season with the 7-2 win.

''Johnny Cueto was unbelievable,'' Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters. ''He knew the magnitude of this game. I think we all did. And he came out from the first pitch and had everything going.''

Cueto's stellar outing didn't come without adversity. Astros third baseman Luis Valbuena tagged him for a two-run home run in the second inning to open the scoring. Cueto, however, was unfazed, and proceeded to retire 19 straight before Yost brought in closer Wade Davis to finish the series.

Cueto became the first AL pitcher to retire the final 19 batters faced in a postseason game since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

''I woke up today on the right foot,'' Cueto said after the game. ''As soon as I woke up, I felt something magic, that this was Game 5 and I had to show up for everybody, for this team and the fans.''

(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)

It hasn't been an easy two-and-a-half months for Cueto in Kansas City. Over 13 starts in the regular season, he went 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA while posting a career-worst 1.45 WHIP. He carried his disappointing run into Game 2 of the ALDS, allowing four runs off seven hits across six innings.

Kansas City will open Game 1 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays at home on Friday.