Herro, zero, and a full pitch inside during the Yankees' 6-5 victory over the Royals in Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday.
hero
Before the series started, Alex Verdugo wasn't even guaranteed a starting spot, but when Aaron Boone put him in left field and became the No. 9 batter in the lineup, Verdugo hit a go-ahead single in the seventh inning, hitting a fielder. He responded at bat. .
zero
Kansas City's bullpen gave up three runs in four innings after Michael Wacha left the game in the fifth inning without retiring a batter.
The unsung hero
Clay Holmes was left for dead for much of the second half; After putting runners on base, the Yankees got five outs and pulled away from the game in the sixth inning.
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Main status
After a shaky start from Gerrit Cole, the Yankees' bullpen allowed two hits in the final four innings as Tim Hill, Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, and Luke Weaver shutout the Royals.
quote of the day
“We can make up a lot in the playoffs.”
— Alex Verdugo
