KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the Kansas City Royals, all hope seemed lost for the second consecutive night, until bottom of the ninth heroics propelled the club to another 4-3 walk off victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday night.
Tempers flared early in the ballgame, as both right fielder Jeff Francoeur and manager Ned Yost were ejected on separate occasions after arguing with the home plate umpire.
Luke Hochevar (3-7, 6.27 ERA) turned in a respectable start for Kansas City, giving up three runs on six hits in 7 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking one. Reliever Tim Collins (4-0, 2.03 ERA) got the win.
First baseman Eric Hosmer jacked a 450 foot two-run home run to center field to put the Royals (27-34, 11-20 home) up 2-1 in the sixth, but an RBI single by pinch-hitter Cody Ransom put the Brewers (28-35, 12-18 away) back on top 3-2 in the eighth.
In the ninth, right fielder Mitch Maier struck out, but reached first base on a wild pitch by Brewers closer John Axford (1-3, 5.55 ERA), who blew his second save in as many games. With one on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, center fielder Jarrod Dyson drew a clutch walk.
Up next was pinch-hitter Brayan Pena, who proceeded to smash an RBI single to left to tie the game 3-3. On the same play, an ill-advised throw to second base allowed the speedy Dyson just enough time to slide across home plate for the game winner.
The Royals’ second consecutive walk off victory was also their second of the year, and it marks the first time this season that the Royals have swept a series at home.
Right-handed pitcher Vin Mazzaro (2-1, 3.60 ERA) takes the hill against St. Louis Cardinals RHP Kyle Lohse (6-1, 2.90 ERA) for game one of a three-game series in St. Louis on Friday.
