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)