Royals on to World Series
James Shields led fans in a celebratory chant. Lorenzo Cain pranced along the warning track, cradling his newborn son. Ned Yost finally allowed himself to smile.
After nearly three decades as one of the game’s biggest laughingstocks, the Kansas City Royals are once again baseball royalty. They are headed to their first World Series since 1985, finishing a four- game sweep in the American League Championship Series with a 2- 1 victory Wednesday over the visiting Baltimore Orioles.
In a perfect postseason, the Royals intend to relish every moment.
‘‘ It’s hard to explain,’’ said Cain, whose clutch hits and dramatic catches earned him the series MVP award. ‘‘ We’re clicking at the right moment right now.’’
The Royals will carry an 11- game playoff win streak — one shy of the record — into the World Series, which starts Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals beat the Oakland Athletics in a 12- inning wild- card thriller to start things off, then swept the Los Angeles Angels in the Divisional Series.
The Royals beat the Cardinals in 1985 for their only World Series title.
‘‘ It’s been an amazing run,’’ outfielder Alex Gordon said. ‘‘ It’s nothing better than when you win. Today, same old story: good pitching, good defense and scratch out a win.’’
Same old story for the Orioles, too: Solid pitching, good defense — and just not enough offense. They managed seven hits over the last two games, resulting in the first sweep for the franchise in 21 postseason series.
‘‘ You saw how close the games were,’’ Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. ‘‘ It’s more a testament to what they did. They were playing great defensively.’’
After holding the Orioles to three hits in Game 3, Jason Vargas and the bullpen held them to four hits. Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis got the game to Greg Holland, who matched Dennis Eckersley’s record with his fourth save of the series.
Cards throw another away
Buster Posey drove in three runs and the host Giants took advantage of back- to- back bad throws by Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams in the sixth, winning 6- 4 to move within one victory of the World Series.
Chasing their third title in five years, the Giants climbed out of an early threerun hole. The Cardinals were clinging to a 4- 3 lead when the Giants put runners at second and third. Playing in with one out, Adams backhanded Gregor Blanco’s bouncer and stumbled as he tried to set himself to throw home. His toss short- hopped catcher Tony Cruz as Juan Perez scored the tying run.
Joe Panik then hit a grounder right to Adams, who stepped on first before firing wildly to second in trying for a double play. Brandon Crawford was able to score easily when Adams threw wide of the bag.
Rangers: No to Rios option
The Texas Rangers have declined a $ 14 million option for ex- White Sox outfielder Alex Rios for 2015 and will pay him a $ 2 million buyout, though they still could work out a deal for him to return.