New York – One day last year, royal family Manager Matt Quatraro pulled into the parking lot of the team’s home at Kauffman Stadium and decided to meet some of his new neighbors. Quatraro was still new to Kansas City, which meant he was new to the Truman Sports Complex – the massive home of both the Royals and Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium, as well as the latter’s practice facility. Closeness is rare in the world of professional sports. But even more unusual was one of the first questions patrick mahomesThe Chiefs’ starting quarterback and three-time Super Bowl winner.
He wanted to learn about the club’s bullpen.
The quarterback is more than a casual observer. He also owns a small minority stake in the Royals. What’s more, he’s the son of a former major-league pitcher who understands the importance of lockdown relief crews. And even Mahomes could have known that the 2023 Royals – owners of the second-worst bullpen ERA in baseball – were in no position to succeed.
“Everyone is interested,” Quatraro said.
Well, Mahomes was a little too busy to watch the Royals’ 4-2 win Yankees on Monday in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. He was booked to lead the Chiefs to a 26–13 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Kansas City.
But one can assume he was thrilled when he scanned the box score.
Four Kansas City relievers combined to allow only one run in five innings as the bullpen neutralized the Yankees’ offensive attack. salvador perez As soon as the crime came alive, he was sent home. And the Royals sent a message to the rest of the American League by tying the series 1-1.
106 Forget defeat. They can do this.
Kansas City’s Game 2 starter Cole Ragans held New York to one run in four innings. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagen Images)
Royals expected to send starter Seth LugoAn All-Star this season, in Game 3 on Wednesday night. cole ragans Potentially set to return for Game 5. The Royals are returning home to play their first postseason game at Kauffman Stadium in nine years, and thanks to Monday’s win, it won’t be just one.
Shortstop, “We’ve definitely got two games to go in Kauffman now.” bobby wit jr Said. “So (we’re) going back home, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Fix the boys.”
The Royals are in this position despite Witt scoring 0 off 10 to start the series. He’s here despite issuing eight walks during a 6-5 loss in Game 1. He did not play his best baseball in New York. But they gained home-field advantage over their opponents and can now win the series without the hassle of a return trip to Yankee Stadium.
“If you had told us we were going to get one here and go 1-1 (in New York),” said Garrett Hampson“I think everybody’s going to be pretty happy with it,” said Joe, who started in center field on Monday.
It was exactly what they needed after Saturday night’s disappointment, a loss caused by self-inflicted injuries and the inconsistent nature of baseball’s replay review system. With a day off in New York, the club tried to reduce the losses. Witt watched football in the afternoon and then attended mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan at 5:30 p.m. A club employee attended the “Back to the Future” musical. Game 2 starter Ragans spent the morning playing catch with relievers in Central Park Sam Long,
The idea came when the team decided to stay away from Yankee Stadium on Sunday. Ragans needed a patch of grass to play catch from 75 feet for about 10 minutes. They found a suitable hotel not far from the team hotel.
“Nobody recognized us,” Ragans said.
Maybe they will be on Tuesday morning.
The Ravens held the Yankees to one run in four innings despite an irregular order. This performance gave Kansas City’s offensive line time to dominate and outplay New York’s starters. carlos rodonWhose premature celebration after striking out the team in the first inning appeared to irritate the spectators in the third-base dugout. Rodon looked dominant in the top half of the first half. but when he fanned vinny pasquantino He turned toward the Royals dugout to end the frame.
“Everybody saw it there,” Witt said. “As I said, we play nine innings. We can’t be too excited about one inning. For me, I went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. I can’t be too upset about this. We won the game. Now we move forward.”
Don’t celebrate too early💀 https://t.co/T4GyFapOFO
– Maikel Garcia (@maikeljose06) 8 October 2024
The Royals drew blood on Pérez’s solo shot in the top of the fourth. He took control of the game with a frenzy of four singles coupled with aggressive base running. At the end of the innings, the Royals were leading 4-1.
“Sometimes when things aren’t going well for you individually, the team picks you up,” Witt said.
From there the only thing the bullpen needed was Mahomes’ curiosities. was the first angel jerpaWho redeemed himself after his shaky performance in Game 1. came again John Schreiber, chris bubic And lucas ercegWho allowed the only blemish, a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth.
“What they’re doing is incredible,” Witt said. “They are keeping us in games. They are dominating there.”
As Witt spoke, the Chiefs were being shown on “Monday Night Football” on television in the visitors’ clubhouse. If you listened carefully, you could hear the ESPN broadcaster mentioning the Royals’ win. outfielder tommy pham shouted travis kels Name.
But why manager? #royals And #Chief Playing at the same time and shared respect between clubs. #KCRoyals #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/kwmt03WMGF
– Rob Collins (@RobCollinsTV) 7 October 2024
Back home in Kansas City, the presence of a Super Bowl-winning team and support of its star quarterback isn’t entirely superficial. This is also aspirational.
A few years ago, the second baseman michael massey Attended a Chiefs playoff game, listened to the crowd and imagined what it would feel like to hear that sound in the parking lot at Kauffman Stadium. Only Pérez, the veteran catcher, had experienced a baseball playoff game in Kansas City. Others can only imagine it.
“We always hear stories about how loud it was,” Massey said.
On Wednesday these stories will become reality again. Playoff baseball is returning to Kansas City. The Royals have two wins from the ALCS. The neighbors will also be there.
“That’s the plan,” Mahomes said.
And that bullpen? It is more than ready.
, athleticNate Taylor contributed to this story.
(Top photo of Salvador Pérez hitting a home run against the Yankees: Vincent Carchietta/Amazon Images)
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