Mike Moustakas had a rough year in Kansas City. A slow start led to a demotion to Triple-A. He also hadn't homered since the end of August. However, he is a star in October. Moustakas homered in the bottom of the 11th inning off of Angels reliever Fernando Salas, and the Kansas City won Game 1 of the Division Series, as they defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 3-2.
The game started as the Lorenzo Cain show, as the Royals centerfielder made a leaping catch at the wall in the first inning, and a diving catch in the outfield to end the second inning.
Kansas City got on the board in the third inning when Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar doubled deep to left, driving in the aforementioned Moustakas.
The Angels bounced back in the bottom of the third, when Chris Iannetta tagged Royals starter Jason Vargas with a long homer to left to tie the game.
The Royals were able to manufacture a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly off of the bat of Omar Infante. The RBI gave Kansas City a 2-1 lead. The runs came off of Angels starter Jered Weaver, who pitched brilliantly, allowing just two runs, on three hits in his seven innings of work.
Once again, the Angels had an answer for Kansas City, as 2012 World Series MVP David Freese socked his eighth career postseason bomb off of Vargas to tie the score. Vargas pitched well for Kansas City, allowing just the two runs in the sixth inning.
The game turned into a game of bullpens, as neither team could manufacture a run. The Angels tried to play small-ball and bunt runners over, but they could not push across a run.
In the 11th inning, Moustakas crushed what appeared to be a changeup from Salas into the right field seats to give the Royals the lead.
Greg Holland pitched a spotless ninth, as Josh Hamilton flied out harmlessly to left field to give Kansas City a Game One win.
The Royals lead the best-of-five series, 1-0. Game 2 will be played on Friday night as the late game of the playoff quadruple header. The Angels will send Matt Shoemaker to the hill while the Royals will counter with Yordana Ventura. Tune in for a live coverage of Game 2 here on VAVEL USA.