KC Royals: Ranking the 2015 Playoff Comebacks
By Scott Dillon
Number 7: ALDS Game 5
Final Score: Royals 7 – Astros 2
The KC Royals gave up the farm, kind of, for a pitcher who would give them the edge they lacked during the 2014 World Series. They’d gotten so close to completing an amazing story the year before, but simply lacked the fairy tale ending.
Outside of his first couple of starts, Johnny Cueto had been a letdown. He earned fan’s respect early with a complete game shutout in his first home start for the Royals, but put up numbers the rest of the way that gave Royals fan’s cause for concern. He pitched so badly in fact, that the Royals didn’t even use him as their ‘Ace’ in the playoffs.
When Johnny Cueto took the mound in game five of the ALDS, they needed the Ace they traded for.
When Johnny Cueto took the mound in game five of the ALDS, they needed the Ace they traded for. The Royals were coming off an unbelievable comeback in game 4, and needed to make sure focus was in full effect for game 5. Cueto didn’t disappoint.
Cueto gave up two hits and no walks, striking out eight over eight frames. His only hits came back to back on a swinging bunt by Evan Gattis, and a mistake pitch home-run to Luis Valbeuna. Johnny Cueto put to rest any notions of the Astros moving on as he retired his final 19 batters.
The Royals took the lead when Alex Rios wrapped a double down the left field line that would put the Royals up for good. Rios let out a display of emotion rarely seen by the veteran outfielder pumping his fist wildly and firing up his teammates. Dallas Keuchel, the Astros’ attempt at Madison Bumgarner, took the mound in the eighth. Dallas Keuchel has stymied the Royals only three days earlier. All series long there was talk of how the Royals may lose yet again to a workhorse lefty. This time the narrative turned out different as Kendrys Morales hit a three-run blast to eliminate any doubt.
Ned Yost didn’t take any chances in spite of a five-run lead, sending Wade Davis to the mound for the final three outs. George Springer tried to hit a five-run home run that was caught at the wall, and the Royals’ celebration began.
Next: Did Anyone in KC Care About Halloween?