Blue Jays 2 - 3 Royals
Final/11
  for this game

Hosmer lifts Royals over Blue Jays in extras

Jun 7, 2011 - 5:03 AM

Video

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Eric Hosmer drove in the game-winner in the 11th inning to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a four-game set.

Frank Francisco (1-3) started the inning on the mound for the Blue Jays and promptly gave up singles to Chris Getz and Brayan Pena. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up and Alex Gordon was intentionally walked, Melky Cabrera lined out to third for the second out.

Hosmer, though, dropped a single into center to help the Royals get the win after dropping all four games against Minnesota in their previous series.

"It feels awesome. Any time you win a ballgame, it feels great. We had a little rough stretch there. For us to get this win, hopefully it'll change around the momentum for us," Hosmer said about his game-winning hit.

The game made a winner of Jaokim Soria (4-3), who went two perfect innings while starter Felipe Paulino was charged with just two runs -- one earned -- on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings for Kansas City.

Brandon Morrow was equally effective in the start, but got no decision as he gave up just one unearned run and two hits with five strikeouts and three walks over six innings for Toronto, which has dropped four of six.

Toronto got on board in the fourth inning, when Yunel Escobar reached on a throwing error by third baseman Mike Aviles. Escobar moved to second on a wild pitch, then scored on consecutive groundouts by Corey Patterson and Jose Bautista.

But the Royals evened the game in the home half thanks to an error by the Jays. Hosmer reached on Escobar's error before crossing the plate on a two-out triple to center by Aviles.

The Blue Jays moved back in front in the seventh, which Juan Rivera and J.P. Arencibia began with base hits to put runners on the corners. Aaron Hill then grounded a ball to the gap on the left side of the infield, and while Aviles dove to stop the ball, he was able to get only a force out at second as Rivera came home.

Shawn Camp replaced Morrow to start the home seventh and gave up single to Matt Treanor while recording two outs. But he was lifted in favor of Marc Rzepczynski, who walked three consecutive batters to force in the game-tying run.

The Blue Jays had chances to score in the eighth and ninth, with two on and one out both times, but came up empty.

Game Notes

These teams split the six-game series last season...Toronto went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine while Kansas City was 1-for-9 and left 13.






Related News