The Kansas City Royals moved one game away from their second straight World Series appearance with a 14-2 victory Tuesday over Toronto in Game 4 of the ALCS. The Royals now lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 set for 4:07 pm ET Wednesday.
The Royals took a page out of the Blue Jays' playbook by scoring early with a four-run first inning. Ben Zobrist got things going with a two-run homer, and Lorenzo Cain walked, stole 2nd, and scored on a passed ball to make it 3-0 before R.A. Dickey could record an out. An Alex Rios home run in the 2nd made it 5-0. The Blue Jays attempted to get back in it with two runs in the 3rd, but Royals starter Chris Young was able to limit the damage.
KC blew the game open with four in the 7th and three more in the 8th after the Royals' less-heralded bullpen duo of Luke Hochevar and Ryan Madson quelled Jays minor attempts at rallies in the 5th and 6th. The Blue Jays had to eventually go to infielder Cliff Pennington to record the final out of the 9th as a pitcher, but not after two more singles made it 14-2.
Alcides Escobar led the way for the Royals going 2-3 with four RBI, including a two-run single off Pennington in the 9th to cap the offensive onslaught. Cain was 2-3 with 3 RBI and extended his postseason hitting streak to 13, a franchise record. Young went 4.2 innings and gave up both Blue Jays runs on three hits. Dickey, however, lasted only 1.2 innings for Toronto, giving up five runs (four earned) on four hits. Ben Revere led the Toronto offense by going 2-3 with a run scored.
Game 5 will feature a rematch of Game 1 starting pitchers Edinson Volquez (KC) and Marco Estrada (TOR). Volquez was tremendous in the Game 1 victory.
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