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Royals beat Chisox, but Tigers' win puts Royals into home wild-card game Tuesday at The K
CHICAGO -- Royals players and coaches all agreed: They would rather have had a game 163 on Monday and a shot at the AL Central Division title.
But when the Tigers beat the Twins on Sunday and sewed up the Central, the Royals turned their focus toward the wild-card game Tuesday at 7:07 p.m. against Oakland at Kauffman Stadium.
"Only the elite teams are left to play in this tournament," manager Ned Yost said. "And we feel fortunate to be one of those elite."
The Royals finished the regular season at 89-73 after winning Sunday.
"When the season started, I thought 90 wins would probably win the Central," Yost said. "And that's what it came down to. But this has been a very good season for us and we're anxious to keep it going."
The players found out during about the fifth inning of the Royals' 6-4 win over the White Sox that the Tigers had won.
"It was a little disappointing knowing Detroit won," first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "But hey, it's a new season now and we have to find any way we can to advance and survive. Just win."
Yost emptied his bench immediately, and got his starting players some needed rest. And that included Yordano Ventura, who went four innings.
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Yost said he could use Ventura on Tuesday for one inning or so if needed. Ventura agreed.
"Yes, I'll be ready for that," Ventura said through interpreter Jeremy Guthrie. "Whatever I can do to help."
3 UP
-- Billy's bat. Billy Butler seems to be seeing the ball very well, and that's a great sign for the Royals as they approach the postseason. Butler cracked a double down the right-field line in the second and scored. He also singled sharply in the third.
-- A confident Esky. I've mentioned this before, but seeing Alcides Escobar's confidence rise from the leadoff spot is a huge plus for the Royals. Esky yanked a double into the corner to lead off the game, and also singled.
-- Christian Colon is back. Colon was activated off the disabled list prior to the game, and he could be a factor in the playoffs. Surely, he will make the roster for his versatility. And the infielder also showed his fractured finger is OK when he doubled in two runs to tie the game in the sixth. He added another hit later.
3 DOWN
-- Nori bunting. The last time Nori Aoki bunted at Kauffman Stadium, the decision was roundly booed. It would have been booed again Sunday if the game was at The K as he tried to bunt after Escobar led off the game with a double. Aoki popped out. Aoki is one of the Royals' hottest hitters, and he shouldn't be sacrifice bunting.
-- Billy's baserunning. It was one of the strangest plays in a while. Butler led off the second inning and doubled down the right-field line. Alex Gordon followed with a rocket toward the seats in right field. The ball wound up crashing off the top of the wall. But Butler somehow managed to get only to third, as obviously he lost sight of the ball and thought it might have been caught. (Luckily, he scored later anyway.)
-- Yordano's command. For the second straight game, a Royals young gun didn't have his best stuff. Danny Duffy struggled mightily on Saturday night. And Ventura wobbled Sunday, giving up eight hits through four innings before the Tigers' win allowed Yost to pull him. "I felt OK," Ventura said. "I didn't throw as many strikes as I needed to." The Royals, if they advance past the wild-card round, will need them both.
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
