With the exception of the most optimistic, everyone knew that the magical run that the Royals were on had an expiration date. We all knew that at some point in this playoffs one of the cogs in the perfect machine that was the Royals would fail for a game and we would know how it felt to finally lose a playoff game after 29 years.
Before the Giants defense could even take the field they had a 3-0 lead. That kind of lead is usually pretty insurmountable against a regular playoff pitcher, much less an ace like Madison Bumgarner. That was all that Bumgarner would need. He scattered three hits and one run over seven innings, in another dynamic start for a pitcher who is now pitching in his third world series.
It didn't hurt that the rest of Bumgarners teammates chipped in with timely hitting and power. They combined for four extra base hits including a two run HR, and were 5-12 with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile Big Game James Shields and the rest of the Blue Crew seemed to revert back to their mid-September selves. Shields didn't make it through 4 innings giving up 7 hits and 5 earned runs. Command clearly off, Shileds got hit hard from the beginning, giving up a double and a homer in the first. But Shields wasn't the only part of the team not in best form. In the bottom of the third Infante reached on an error and Moustakas putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Escabar and Aoki struck out, and Cain walked to load the bases. With one of the post season heros up to the plate in Hosmer, the Royals had a chance to do some damage to Bumgarner. That's when he swung on the first pitch and grounded out to First stranding the tying run at first.
Invincibility
Despite the loss the city still has an overwhelming feeling of invincibility. Few are crying panic. Instead there is a call for calm in the midst of a storm and to stick with the team. In fact Kansas Cities Power and Light District was still packed full of crazed Royals fans till the last pitch, albeit the interest was more in the drinks than the screen. As weaved the crowd last night and asked people what their feelings were after the loss the general consensus was "we will get them next time" and "it's not over yet" There was some doubt, however, in teams ace. One person said "I'm glad we only had him for 2 years. He seems to be fading" and another said, "maybe we should start Duffy in Game 5"
"It takes a team"one man said. "And as a team we didn't win tonight. But look at this season. They have been up and down. And I'm sure we will bounce back"
(Ace) Ventura takes the mound today, and it seems as though all the hopes of the city rest on this 23 year old rookie. With the city still behind the team this is a chance to recapture some of the confidence the team lost in Game 1. As one Radio caller put it his morning "We waited 29 years for this. We aren't giving up till the last out in the last game"
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