Royals silence Blue Jays to grab early series lead
Coming off an emotionally draining series win in the ALDS, the Toronto Blue Jays looked decidedly flat in Game 1 of the ALCS.
Kansas City Royals starter Edinson Volquez tossed six shutout innings and Salvador Perez homered to help the home side draw first blood with their 5-0 win over the Blue Jays on Friday.
Toronto's high-octane offense was held to just three hits and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, while Kansas City improved to 3-1 this postseason at Kauffman Stadium.
Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion departed in the eighth inning for precautionary X-rays on his ailing middle finger on his left hand. He would later be diagnosed with a ligament sprain and is considered day to day.
Top performer: Alcides Escobar continued his torrid postseason going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Royals shortstop doubled to lead off the game and followed with another in the third inning, eventually coming around to score what would be the winning run.
Starting Pitchers: Volquez was the center of controversy during a bench-clearing skirmish between the two clubs in August, but the right-hander managed to keep his emotions, and the Blue Jays' offense, in check in Game 1. Volquez allowed just two hits, but did walk four, before handing the ball over to the bullpen to start the seventh. The 32-year-old's clean outing helped him become the first pitcher in franchise history to toss six shutout innings, while allowing no more than two hits.
"Eddie was superb today," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "On the attack from the 1st inning on."
| Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volquez | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
| Estrada | 5.1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
Marco Estrada allowed one run over 6 1/3 innings in the ALDS, but the Royals' aggressive approach chased the right-hander before he could finish the sixth. Kansas City forced the Blue Jays starter to throw 90 pitches over 5 1/3 innings, picking up three runs off six hits - including three for extra bases.
Key moment: After allowing back-to-back walks to start the sixth inning, Volquez emptied the tank to escape the inning unscathed. The Royals starter struck out Edwin Encarnacion, got Chris Colabello to fly out to right, and caught Troy Tulowitzki looking with a 95-mph fastball to end the 37-pitch inning.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Up Next: The teams won't have to wait long to get back at one another as Game 2 kicks off at 4:07 p.m. ET on Saturday. Left-hander David Price (1-1, 7.20 ERA) takes the mound for the Blue Jays, while the Royals counter with right-hander Yordano Ventura (0-1, 7.71 ERA).