Alex Gordon flourishes deep in Royals’ lineup

It’s a strange sight to see Alex Gordon batting eighth in the Royals’ lineup.

He’s been a staple in the leadoff spot or the middle of the order since returning from a sojourn to Class AAA Omaha in 2010 to learn the outfield craft.

Gordon, 31, batted lower than sixth in Ned Yost’s lineup three times from 2011-14, but he’s been locked into the No. 8 hole in all 13 games during the 2015 postseason.

He missed nearly two months after suffering a July 8 groin injury and scuffled a bit after returning to the lineup in September, prompting him to slide down the batting order.

The Royals, who are the first team in playoff history to trot out the same lineup in the first 13 games, are making the most of it with Gordon producing six extra-base hits, five RBIs and a .367 on-base percentage from the penultimate slot.

Gordon’s presence lengthens the batting order, giving opposing pitchers no quarter from top to bottom.

Mets closer Jeurys Familia found out the hard away about Gordon when he ambushed a ninth-inning quick pitch in Game 1 of the World Series to force extra innings.

Gordon was at it again Wednesday in Game 2, sparking a four-run rally against Mets ace Jacob deGrom in the fifth inning.

This time, it was his patience that did the damage.

Gordon is one of the few Royals who isn’t always on the attack and eschews the free-swinging approach the club’s become known for the last few seasons.

Instead, Gordon works counts, as he did in the third inning when he coaxed a walk from deGrom, the only base-runner the Royals managed through the first three innings.

Gordon worked another free pass against deGrom leading off the fifth.

Four runs and five hits later, the Royals were cruising comfortably behind starter Johnny Cueto toward a 7-1 victory and 2-0 series lead as the World Series shifts to Citi Field in Queens, N.Y., for the weekend.

Gordon added an RBI double in the eighth on a ball that scooted under Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores’ glove and trickled 40 feet into left field.

Much like Alcides Escobar seems horribly miscast as a leadoff hitter, Gordon isn’t a prototypical No. 8 hitter, but the unconventional Royals — now two wins from the first World Series title in 30 years — just keep rolling.

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 10:41 PM with the headline "Alex Gordon flourishes deep in Royals’ lineup."