My name is Josh Eastern. See you next season and thank you for following VAVEL USA's coverage of the MLB all season long
Thank you for following along tonight as we all witnessed history with the Royals won their first World Series since 1985
THE KANSAS CITY ROYALS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS
Bottom 12th (3 outs): Wilmer Flores strikes out swinging
Bottom 12th (2 outs): Michael Conforto singles to left and the Mets still have a little bit of life
Bottom 12th (2 outs): d'Arnaud strikes out and the Mets are down to their last out
Bottom 12th (1 out): Lucas Duda strikes out swinging
Wade Davis is coming on for the final 3 outs
After a five run top of the 12th, the Mets are down to their final 3 outs down 7-2
Top 12th (3 outs): Mike Moustakas flies out to left to end the inning
Top 12th (2 outs): Eric Hosmer grounds out 4-3
Top 12th (1 out): LORENZO CAIN!!! A bases clearing double into the left center field gap and the Royals have taken a 7-2 lead!
Addison Reed's night is done as Bartolo Colon will take over in relief
Top 12th (1 out): The Mets elect to intentionally walk Ben Zobrist as Lorenzo Cain will come to the plate with the bases loaded
Top 12th (1 out): ALCIDES ESCOBAR!! He doubles down the left field line to score Colon from second and the Royals now have a 4-2 lead! Runners at second and third and still 1 out
Top 12th (1 out): It's another error at second base off of the bat of Paulo Orlando by Daniel Murphy! The E-4 puts runners on first and second
Top 12th (1 out): CHRISTIAN COLON!!! An RBI single to left scores Dyson from third and the Royals have taken the lead, 3-2!
Christian Colon will pinch hit in the pitcher's spot
Top 12th (1 out): Alex Gordon grounds out to first for the first out, but Dyson moves up to third base with 1 out
Dyson steals second and the Royals have the go-ahead runner in scoring position
Top 12th (0 outs): Salvador Perez bloops a single that is fair by about a foot down the right field line. Jarrod Dyson pinch runs
This marks the second World Series ever, joining 1924 (Games 1 and 7), to feature multiple games of at least 12 innings.
Addison Reed coming on in relief for the Mets
End of the 11th: Mets 3, Royals 3
Bottom 11th (3 outs): Lagares grounds out to Hosmer who steps on first and we head to the 12th
Bottom 11th (2 outs): Daniel Murphy works a walk
Bottom 11th (2 outs): David Wright lines out to right
Bottom 11th (1 out): Curtis Granderson flies out to short center as Alcides Escobar makes the play
Middle of the 11th: Mets 2, Royals 2
Top 11th (3 outs): Moustakas flies out to left and to the bottom of the 11th we go
Hosmer swipes second on a pitch in the dirt. 2-2 count to Moustakas
Top 11th (2 outs): Eric Hosmer with his second hit of the night as he shoots one to right for a single
Top 11th (2 outs): Lorenzo Cain flies out to right for the second out
Jon Niese started the inning for the Mets in relief
Top 11th (1 out): Ben Zobrist grounds out 5-3
If the Royals win tonight, they will be 1st team EVER with 3 or more wins in World Series after trailing in 8th or later.
End of the 10th: Mets 2, Royals 2
Bottom 10th (3 outs): Johnson pops up to second and we head to the 11th
Kelly Johnson will pinch hit in the pitcher's spot
Bottom 10th (2 outs): Wilmer Flores grounds out 6-3 for the second out
Bottom 10th (1 out): Michael Conforto hits a high fly ball to right for the first out. Nearly got it
Middle of the 10th: Mets 2, Royals 2
Top 10th (3 outs): Alcides Escobar strikes out swinging to end the inning. Luke Hochevar coming in for the Royals on the mound
Top 10th (2 outs): Paulo Orlando grounds out to the pitcher for the second out of the inning
This is the first World Series with 2 extra inning games since 2001
Top 10th (1 out): Jeurys Familia get Morales to strikeout swinging to start the 10th
Kendrys Morales pinch hits for the pitcher to leadoff the 10th
End of the 9th: Mets 2, Royals 2
Bottom 9th (3 outs): d'Arnaud flies out to Gordon in left and we are headed to extras
Bottom 9th (2 outs): Lucas Duda flies out to the warning track in left as Alex Gordon tracks it down
Bottom 9th (1 out): Alcides Escobar snags a liner off of the bat of Lagares for the first out
It'll be Lagares, Duda, and d'Arnaud facing Kelvin Herrera
After the Royals plate 2, we head to the bottom of the ninth tied up at 2
Top 9th (3 outs): Alex Gordon grounds out to Familia to end the inning
It was scored a ground out 5-3 RBI. No error given to Duda on the bad throw
Top 9th (2 outs): Perez grounds out to third, but Hosmer broke for home once David Wright threw across the infield and Duda made a bad throw home and Hosmer scored safely
Top 9th (1 out): Moustakas grounds out to first, but moves the runner to third base. Infield in for Perez
Jeurys Familia into the game with Hosmer on second and Moustakas at the plate. 0 outs
Harvey's final line: 8+ IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K, 2 BB, 111 pitches
Top 9th (0 outs): Eric Hosmer doubles to the wall to score Cain from second and Harvey's night is done
Lorenzo Cain swipes second base for his second stolen base of the night
Top 9th (0 outs): Lorenzo Cain leads off the inning with a walk. Worked a 3-2 walk. Harvey will remain in the game
Harvey will face Cain, Hosmer, and Moustakas
Matt Harvey is coming back out for the ninth and the Citi Field crowd is going nuts. Buckle up people, this is about to be a fun 9th inning
To the 9th we go! End of the 8th: Mets 2, Royals 0
Bottom 8th (3 outs): Daniel Murphy goes down swinging. We'll see if Harvey is coming back out for the 9th
Bottom 8th (2 outs): David Wright strikes out swinging
The FOX telecast shows Matt Harvey in the dugout talking with Terry Collins about coming out for the 9th
Bottom 8th (1 out): Curtis Granderson strikes out swinging for the first out
Kelvin Herrera still on the mound for the Royals to start the eighth
That should be it for Harvey as Jeurys Familia is warming up in the bullpen. Great outing for Harvey: 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 9 K, 1 BB, 102 pitches
Middle of the 8th: Mets 2, Royals 0
Top 8th (3 outs): Harvey gets Ben Zobrist to fly out to center to end the inning
Top 8th (2 outs): Alcides Escobar flies out to shortstop for the second out of the inning
Top 8th (1 out): Paulo Orlando flies out to right to lead off the inning
End of the 7th: Mets 2, Royals 0
Bottom 7th (3 outs): Matt Harvey grounds out 5-3 to end the inning. To the 8th inning we go!
Bottom 7th (2 outs): Wilmer Flores grounds into a 6-4-3 double play
Paulo Orlando takes over in right field in a double switch. Orlando will hit in the 9-hole
Bottom 7th (0 outs): Michael Conforto leads off the inning with a single to right field
Kelvin Herrera takes over in relief
Edinson Volquez is done for the night: 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 SO
Stretch time in New York! Middle of the 7th: Mets 2, Royals 0
Top 7th (3 outs): Alex Rios grounds out 5-3 to end the inning. Big time from Harvey after giving up the leadoff single
Big spot in this game with Rios at the plate
Top 7th (2 outs): Alex Gordon flies out to center for the second out of the inning
Top 7th (1 out): Salvador Perez pops up to third base for the first out of the inning
Also, Juan Lagares has replaced Yoenis Cespedes in center field
Top 7th (0 outs): Mike Moustakas singles to right to leadoff the inning
End of the 6th: Mets 2, Royals 0
Bottom 6th (3 outs): d'Arnaud grounds out 5-3 to end the inning
Bottom 6th (2 outs): Lucas Duda hits a sac fly to center to score Granderson from 3rd. 2-0 Mets
Bottom 6th (1 out): Cespedes skies it up in the infield for an infield fly
Cespedes will stay in the game. Bases loaded, 1 out, 0-2 count
Cespedes is standing and is trying to walk off the injury. He looks to be in a good amount of pain
He is currently getting attention from the trainer and is sitting up
Yoenis Cespedes fouled a ball off of his knee and is down
Bottom 6th (0 outs): Eric Hosmer boots a ground ball at first hit by Daniel Murphy and the Mets have the bases loaded. Yoenis Cespedes at the plate
Kelvin Herrera getting warm in the Royals bullpen
Bottom 6th (0 outs): David Wright signles to left as the Mets are starting to get to Volquez
Bottom 6th (o outs): Curtis Granderson walks to lead off the inning. Volquez seems displeased with home plate umpire Alfonzo Marquez
Middle of the 6th: Mets 1, Royals 0
Top 6th (3 outs): Eric Hosmer grounds out 4-3 to end the inning
Top 6th (2 outs): Lorenzo Cain chases a breaking ball in the dirt as he strikes out
This is the third time through the order for Matt Harvey, we'll see how he responds as it's been an issue for other pitchers
Top 6th (1 out): Ben Zobrist hits a hard liner to right for a single
Top 6th (1 out): Alcides Escobar grounds out 5-3
Harvey has thrown 67 pitches while striking out eight and walking 1 while giving up 2 hits. Volquez has thrown 69 while striking out five and walking four while giving up 1 run on 1 hit.
End of the 5th: Mets 1, Royals 0
Bottom 5th (3 outs): Matt Harvey grounds out 6-3 on a nice play in the hole by Alcides Escobar to end the inning
Bottom 5th (2 outs): Wilmer Flores is intentionally walked as the Royals would rather pitch to Matt Harvey. 1st and 2nd, 2 outs
Bottom 5th (2 outs): Michael Conforto hits a grounder to first and Hosmer steps on first for the out. Runner on 2nd with 2 outs for Flores
Bottom 5th (1 out): d'Arnaud hits lines out to left field for the first out of the inning. Volquez came back from a 3-1 count
Bottom 5th (0 outs): Lucas Duda walks to lead off the inning. Volquez has walked three batters thus far
Middle of the 5th: Mets 1, Royals 0
Top 5th (3 outs): Volquez goes down swinging as Harvey has now struck out 8 Royals batters through five innings.
Top 5th (2 outs): Alex Rios goes down looking on a nice fastball by Harvey on the outside corner
Top 5th (1 out): Harvey just missed on a 2-2 fastball on the inside corner and then Alex Gordon works a walk
Top 5th (1 out): Salvador Perez goes down swinging as Harvey has struck out four in a row
Matt Harvey is just the second Mets pitcher to ever strike out the side in order in a World Series joining Tom Seaver in 1974
End of the 4th: Mets 1, Royals 0
Bottom 4th (3 outs): Cespedes grounds into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play to end the inning
Bottom 4th (1 out): Daniel Murphy walks on 4 pitches. 1 on, 1 out for Yoenis Cespedes
Bottom 4th (1 out): David Wright strikes out swinging for Volquez's 5th K of the night
Middle of the 4th: Mets 1, Royals 0
Top 4th (3 outs): Harvey strikes out the side as Moustakas goes down swinging
Top 4th (2 outs): Eric Hosmer goes down swinging. Harvey looking good with his 4th K and second consecutive
Top 4th (1 out): Lorenzo Cain goes down swinging. Harvey's third K of the night
End of the 3rd: Mets 1, Royals 0
We're cruising right along as Harvey and Volquez are on their games early on
Bottom 3rd (3 outs): Curtis Granderson strikes out to end the inning
Bottom 3rd (2 outs): Matt Harvey grounds out 4-3
Bottom 3rd (1 out): Wilmer Flores pops up to third baseman Mike Moustakas
Middle of the 3rd: Mets 1, Royals 0
Top 3rd (3 outs): Ben Zobrist flies out to right to end the inning. Matt Harvey has been great so far for the Mets
Top 3rd (2 outs): Alcides Escobar grounds into a nice 6-4-3 double play started by Daniel Murphy who made a great play at second.
Top 3rd (0 outs): Royals starter Edinson Volquez shoots one into right field for a leadoff single
End of the 2nd: Mets 1, Royals 0
Bottom 2nd (3 outs): Michael Conforto strikes out swinging as Volquez collects his 3rd strikeout of the game
Bottom 2nd (2 outs): d'Arnaud grounds into a 4-3 double play. Good play by second baseman Ben Zobrist who fielded the ball right at the bag
Bottom 2nd (0 outs): Lucas Duda leads off the inning with a walk
Middle of the 2nd: Mets 1, Royals 0
Top 2nd (3 outs): Alex Rios grounds out 6-3 to end the inning
Top 2nd (2 outs): Alex Gordon flies out to right for the second out of the inning
Top 2nd (1 out): 6-4 fielders' choice by Salvador Perez. Perez at first with one out. Murphy at second couldn't quite get the handle on the baseball
Top 2nd (0 outs): David Wright with an E-5 and Mike Moustakas is on at first to leadoff the second
Curtis Granderson is now tied with Donn Clendenon for most World Series home runs in Mets history with 3
End of the 1st: Mets 1, Royals 0
Bottom 1st (3 outs): Yoenis Cespedes grounds out 5-3 to end the inning.
Bottom 1st (2 outs): Great 2-seam fastball on the inside corner by Volquez to strike out Daniel Murphy
Bottom 1st (1 out): David Wright goes down swinging for the first out of the inning
Lenny Dykstra the last Met to hit a leadoff home run in the World Series. That was in 1986
IT'S GONE! The Grandy-man can! A solo home run for Curtis Granderson and the Mets lead 1-0.
Edinson Volquez taking the mound for the first time since since the death of his father. He'll face Curtis Granderson to leadoff
Middle of the 1st: Royals 0, Mets 0
Top 1st (3 outs): Hosmer strikes out swining to end the inning. Harvey looking good to start
Top 1st (2 outs): Cain swipes second with Eric Hosmer at the plate
Top 1st (2 outs): Lorenzo Cain bloops a single into left for a two out base hit.
Top 1st (2 outs): Ben Zobrist flies out all the way to the track in center
Top 1st (1 out): Harvey strikes out Escobar
Matt Harvey first pitch fastball and Alcides Escobar fouls it off. We're underway!
Once again, I'm Josh Eastern. You can interact with me on Twitter at @JoshEastern while following this LIVE during Game 5 of the World Series. We're just about set to get underway as the players are on the field ready to go.
Tony Bennett just did a great rendition of America the Beautiful. Now Frank Pizarro of the NYPD for the National Anthem.
Matt Harvey has a 2.01 ERA in his career at Citi Field. He'll need more of the same if they want to keep this World Series going
History may play a factor in the rest of the series however long it may last. The Mets have never lost in November while the Royals have never won in November. That's why you play the game, ladies and gentlemen!
About an hour to first pitch from Citi Field in Flushing, NY for game 5 of the World Series.
New York Mets: Granderson RF, Wright 3B, Murphy 2B, Cespedes CF, Duda 1B, d’Arnaud C, Conforto LF, Flores SS, Harvey RHP
Kansas City Royals: Escobar SS, Zobrist 2B, Cain CF, Hosmer 1B, Moustakas 3B, Perez C, Gordon LF, Rios RF, Volquez RHP
LINEUPS
Of the 80 best-of-seven series’ where a team took a 3-1 lead, 39 of them ended in game five while just 17 teams that were trailing were able to come all the way back to win it. One of those 17 teams, and the last team to do so in a World Series, was the Kansas City Royals who did it back in 1985. Can the Mets give the Royals a dose of their own medicine?
Another thing to look for in this game will be how managers Terry Collins and Ned Yost manage this ballgame. They are in two totally different circumstances with Collins and the Mets needing to win out and having to have a sense of urgency, while Yost and the Royals do have some breathing room with a two game lead in the series. There would be an off day if necessary on Monday should the series shift back to Kansas City.
A year ago, it was the Royals in this situation where they had to comeback in the series. They had just one chance in their 2014 Fall Classic against the Giants coming in Game Seven which they couldn’t quite get done, but this year they will have to win just one game before the Mets win three. If they can get it done, it will be the franchise’s second championship and first since 1985 when Royals great George Brett led the team.
That error by Murphy scored one run on the play, but it extended the inning and the Royals took advantage of it scoring three runs in the inning and taking a 5-3 lead, which the Mets couldn’t overcome in the end. The Mets did threaten in the ninth inning putting runners on first and second with just one out, but Wade Davis forced Lucas Duda to line into a double play to end the game.
In Game Four, the Mets were paced by Michael Conforto who came up clutch with two solo home runs to keep his team in the game before the Royals took advantage of an error by Daniel Murphy in the eighth.
As for Harvey, he will need to pitch one of his best games. With the Mets having their backs up against the wall, getting a good outing from your starting pitcher is imperative and Harvey will have to answer the call in the final game of the season at Citi Field. For the Mets, they hope it won’t be their last game of the season.
It has been quite a week for Volquez who traveled back to the Dominican Republic following the news that his father passed away on Tuesday before Game One of the World Series (he was informed following the game). It will be interesting to see how Volquez responds to an obvious tough week for him and his family.
The two starting pitchers in this game will be making their second starts of this series after both starting game one. It’ll be Matt Harvey for the Mets going up against Edinson Volquez of the Royals. In the postseason, Harvey has been stellar with a record of 2-0 and an ERA of 3.38. Volquez has had his issues, but has been solid with a 1-2 record and a 4.37 ERA. In the 14-inning marathon that was game one on Tuesday, Harvey went six innings giving up three runs on three hits while striking out two and walking two. Volquez had a similar outing going six innings giving up three runs on six hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Mets are in a win or go home mentality, while the Royals are trying to wrap up the World Series in Game Five.
Hello and welcome all to VAVEL USA's exclusive play-by-play live commentary between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series. After a 5-3 Royals win in Game Four on Saturday night, Kansas City holds a 3-1 series lead and can clinch the World Series with a win. If the Royals do pull out the win, it will be their first title since 1985, but if they drop it, the series will shift back to Kansas City for game six and potentially game seven if the Royals can’t wrap it up tonight. My name is Josh Eastern and I will be here giving you updates along with play-by-play of all the action. You can follow me on Twitter at @JoshEastern.