Royals’ four-extra inning home runs in the postseason is a baseball record
Extra-inning home runs are daggers, and the Royals have been the most lethal team in the postseason. In one regard, any postseason.
The 10th inning bombs by Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas that gave the Royals an 8-6 triumph over the Orioles in Friday’s opening game of the American League Championship Series were the third and fourth smashed by the club in extras in their last four games.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Inc., the Royals’ four extra-inning home runs in the postseason are the most of any club in baseball history. The 2011 Rangers, who lost to the Cardinals in the seven games of the World Series, hit three.
The Royals have accomplished this feat in 32 extra inning at-bats. During the regular season, they played 98 extra innings and hit one home run. Mike Moustakas’ solo shot against the Astros in the 10th inning paved the way to a 6-4 victory in Houston on April 16.
In five playoff games, the Royals have seven home runs. Moustakas has three. In Royals’ history, only George Brett (10) and Willie Mays Aikens (four) have hit more in a postseason career. Amos Otis also hit three.
This from a team that finished last in baseball in home runs with 95. Gordon led the team with 19.
Manager Ned Yost said the Royals were capable of distance.
“We knew we could hit home runs,” Yost said. “It wasn’t a big part of our game because we play in a big stadium half our games. But we knew that we got home run power. We’ve got guys that can hit home runs.
“But they’re turning it up, too, at the right time. They’re stepping up at the right time, putting great swings on the ball.”
2014 Royals postseason extra-inning HRs
Date | Player | Opponent | Inning | Score | Type | Pitcher | Final |
Oct. 2 | Mike Moustakas | at Angels | 11th | 2-2 | Solo | Fernando Salas | W, 3-2 |
Oct. 3 | Eric Hosmer | at Angels | 11th | 1-1 | 2-run | Kevin Jepsen | W, 4-1 |
Oct. 10 | Alex Gordon | at Orioles | 10th | 5-5 | Solo | Darren O’Day | W, 8-6 |
Oct. 10 | Mike Moustakas | at Orioles | 10th | 6-5 | 2-run | Brian Matusz | W, 8-6 |
2014 Royals regular-season extra-inning HRs
Date | Player | Opponent | Inning | Score | Type | Pitcher | Final |
April 16 | Moustakas | at Astros | 11th | 4-4 | solo | Jerome Williams | W, 6-4 |
2013 Royals regular-season extra-inning HRs
Date | Player | Opponent | Inning | Score | Type | Pitcher | Final |
April 25 | Gordon | at Tigers | 10th | 4-3 | grand slam | Darin Downs | W, 8-3 |
July 28 | Gordon | at White Sox | 12th | 2-2 | 2-run | Donnie Veal | W, 4-2 |
Aug. 3 | Justin Maxwell | at Mets | 12th | 3-3 | solo | David Aardsma | W, 4-3 |
Sept. 5 | Moustakas | Mariners | 13th | 6-6 | solo | Chance Ruffin | W, 4-3 |
Sept. 22 | Maxwell | Rangers | 10th | 0-0 | grand slam | Joakim Soria | W, 4-0 |
2012 Royals regular-season extra-inning HRs
Date | Player | Opponent | Inning | Score | Type | Pitcher | Final |
June 17 | Yuni Betancourt | at Cardinals | 15th | 3-3 | 2-run | Eduardo Sanchez | W, 5-3 |
This story was originally published October 11, 2014 at 2:42 PM with the headline "Royals’ four-extra inning home runs in the postseason is a baseball record."