The story of the game, ALDS game three

1st

inning

Bad start, er, a GREAT start

Mike Trout got his first hit of the series, a solo shot with one out. Trout then got a nice view of Alex Gordon’s two-out, bases-loaded double into the left-center gap. Billy Butler showed some nice wheels scoring from first base. That ended Angels starter C.J. Wilson’s night after just six batters. In came Vinnie Pestano and he left Gordon stranded at third.

2nd

Keeping LA at bay

Erick Aybar led off the inning with a single for the Angels, and all 40,657 at Kauffman Stadium had the same thought: Don’t let LA back in the game. Shields didn’t as he retired the next three in order, including two via strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, the Angels made a second pitching change, going to Hector Santiago and he kept the score where it was.

3rd

Did that really just happen?

Nori Aoki walked and one out later, Eric Hosmer launched a two-run homer to left-center field. Kauffman Stadium was rocking, but it wasn’t ready for what was about to happen. Butler drew a walk and then stole second. No misprint there. It was his first stolen base since 2012. The Angels made another pitching change as Shawnee Mission South grad Mike Morin entered.

4th

Angels just can’t settle on a pitcher

Not to be outdone by Hosmer, Mike Moustakas hit a one-out home run to right. It, too, was struck very well. Alcides Escobar singled and took second on a wild pitch. Aoki also singled, pushing Escobar to third base. Lorenzo Cain hit a looooong fly to left field that brought home Escobar. It finished Morin’s night as the Angels brought on Fernando Salas and maintained the pitching-change-an-inning pace.

5th

The Lorenzo Cain fielding clinic

As a slight drizzle fell, the Angels threatened to rain on the Royals’ parade. Kole Calhoun had a one-out single and Mike Trout drew a walk. Uh-oh. Albert Pujols stepped to the plate. The lined a shot into shallow left-center field and Cain made a diving catch. Howie Kendrick followed with another liner, and Cain again dived to make the grab. Shields doffed his cap in appreciation.

6th

Something to yell about

Shields ran into trouble again as the Angels put two on with two out. The Royals’ bullpen was busy again, but Shields struck out Chris Iannetta and ended the threat. He punctuated the moment with a primal scream. In the bottom half, Kevin Jepsen came in to pitch for the Angels. Omar Infante walked and scored after singles by Escobar and Aoki. That prompted another new pitcher: Cory Rasmus.

7th

Who’ll stop the rain?

Kelvin Herrera came into the game, and any fears of a lingering arm injury were put to rest. Herrera left game one early because of a forearm injury. However, he struck out Kole Calhoun on a 101-mph pitch, then retired Trout and Pujols. The rain picked up, and a funny thing happened: No one left the game. A celebration was six outs away, and no one was going anywhere.

8th

A very rare occurrence

Wade Davis allowed a run. Yep. He gave up a double to Kendrick and a single to Aybar. After striking out Freese, Josh Hamilton grounded out to Hosmer. That allowed Aybar to score, which normally would be a concern. Davis had a 1.00 ERA during the regular season, but one run allowed when the team was leading by six? Not a huge deal. That’s because he got three outs that moved the Royals closer to victory.

9th

And that’s a sweep

Greg Holland came on in the ninth inning, but it was in a non-save situation. There will be no backlash for manager Ned Yost, because Holland was in to close out the game and the American League Division Series. That he did. Holland struck out Hank Conger. Infante then made a nifty one-handed grab on a ball that deflected off Holland’s glove. Infante threw out Kole Calhoun. Trout then struck out, and the Royals had won the series.

This story was originally published October 5, 2014 at 11:45 PM with the headline "The story of the game, ALDS game three."