Matt Harvey threw Alcides Escobar an ill-advised fastball over the middle of the plate to begin the bottom of the first, and the rest is history.

Escobar became the first player since 1903 to hit a leadoff inside-the-park home run in the World Series when the Kansas City Royals shortstop hit a deep fly between Mets outfielders Michael Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes on Harvey's first pitch of the game.

It's also just the first time since 1929 that a player has hit an inside-the-park homer in the World Series.

Escobar was perhaps the beneficiary of hometown scorekeeping after replays showed Cespedes make a nonchalant backhanded attempt at the catch.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The stunning start to Game 1 gave the Royals a 1-0 lead after Edinson Volquez retired Mets hitters in order in the top of the first. Escobar, who's now 8-for-11 on first pitches this postseason, earned MVP of the American League Championship Series after batting .386/.408/.545 with a league-leading 17 hits.