Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Alex Gordon hit a game-winning three-run
homer with two outs in the ninth, and the Kansas City Royals put together a
fierce rally to stun the Baltimore Orioles, 7-5, in the second of four games
at Kauffman Stadium.
Alfredo Simon (2-2) came on to protect Baltimore's one-run lead in the ninth,
but couldn't convert the save opportunity.
The first two Kansas City batters were quickly retired, but Rick Ankiel kept
the game alive with a walk. Wilson Betemit followed with a single through the
infield's right side to put runners on the corners, and Gordon ended the game
by belting a Simon offering well over the wall in right field.
"I've been feeling good at the plate. The numbers probably don't show it, but
I feel like I'm having good at-bats," Gordon said. "This is probably one of my
highlights for my career so far, so it felt good."
The homer made a winner of Blake Wood (1-2), who pitched a scoreless inning of
relief.
It was Gordon's first career game-ending home run. The once highly touted
third baseman was playing in just his seventh game since being recalled
earlier this month. He was converted to an outfielder in the minor leagues and
hit just his second home run of the season in 19 games.
Betemit finished with three hits and two RBI, while Ankiel reached base three
times, drove in a run and scored twice, as the Royals snapped a five-game
losing streak.
Ty Wigginton had three hits and drove in two for the Orioles, who have lost
six of seven. Nick Markakis added two hits and three runs scored in defeat.
"You've got to tip your hat to the bullpen," Wigginton said. "They're coming
in and picking up innings. When they're doing their job like that, they're
the sole reason why we got back in that game tonight. It's just unfortunate
the way it had to end."
The Royals grabbed the early lead, scoring three runs in the first with two
away.
With runners on second and third following a Jose Guillen fly out, Ankiel
plated one with a double, and Betemit brought in two more with a base hit to
right.
The Orioles managed to tie the game with single runs in three separate
innings.
Felix Pie's sacrifice fly in the second got Baltimore on the board, and
Markakis singled with two down in the third and scored on Wigginton's double
for a one-run game.
In the sixth, Markakis led off with a walk, moved to third on Wigginton's
single and scored on Luke Scott's sacrifice fly for a 3-3 score.
Yuniesky Betancourt led off the home half of the inning against Jason Berken
and singled to right. Mitch Maier stepped up and doubled in the runner for a
4-3 KC lead, although the hosts couldn't push Maier across to increase the
advantage.
The Orioles went ahead with two runs in the eighth.
With Kyle Farnsworth on the mound, Markakis led off with a single and quickly
came around to score on Wigginton's double. Luke Scott followed with another
base hit to send Wigginton to third, and Wigginton scored on the next play
when Betemit committed a fielding error.