KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Leading off the third inning, Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis popped a 2-2 pitch from Jeremy Guthrie down the left field line that evaded a sprinting Alex Gordon. That blooper was the last hit the Baltimore Orioles would collect, and they only managed one more baserunner with a walk in the fourth inning before Royals retired the next 16 batters in a row in a 2-1 ALCS game 3 win.
The Royals plated their only runs on a bases loaded fielder’s choice in the fourth that scored Lorenzo Cain and a Billy Butler sacrifice fly in the sixth that scored pinch runner Jarrod Dyson. Both bullpens were dominant on Tuesday night, neither allowed a hit, but the sacrifice fly allowed by Kevin Gausman scored the deciding run.
The other story in game 3 was the defense by Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, who made a diving catch on a line drive in the fourth, but that wasn’t his best highlight. In the sixth he made an acrobatic catch where he went over the railing separating the dugout suite from the field, falling into the arms of cheering fans. Each standout defensive play retired a dangerous Orioles hitter, Steve Pearce was robbed in the fourth and Adam Jones watched in disbelief in the sixth.
The Royals look to clinch the club’s first American League championship and World Series appearance since 1985 with a win in game 4 on Wednesday. The Royals send Jason Vargas to the mound who will be opposed by Baltimore’s Miguel Gonzalez. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 p.m and the game airs on TBS.
