NEW YORK (AP) — Given a lead, the Kansas City Royals' pitching staff let the New York Yankees walk away with a playoff win. Facing the team that led the major leagues in walks during the regular season, the Royals held the lead three times, only to see it erased when their pitchers struggled to find the strike zone during a 6-5 loss to the Yankees in their AL Division Series opener Saturday night. Kansas City tied a season high by issuing eight walks for the third time.
It was the first time the Royals handed out that many free passes since July 4 against Tampa Bay, though they also walked seven batters during a 10-4 loss at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 9. “That’s really uncharacteristic for us,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said.
“It’s something you don’t want to try to fight back from against a team like that. So that was uncharacteristic and unfortunate because that’s not really who we are as a staff.” Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber in particular struggled with their command, issuing bases-loaded walks to Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe in the fifth inning that allowed the Yankees to take a 5-4 lead.
Zerpa also walked Aaron Judge on a slider before walking Wells on a sinker that was high and inside. “They looked at a lot of pitches,” Zerpa said through a translator. “We were close, but not good enough pitches to make them count.
" Schreiber got two quick outs but fell behind Volpe and walked the shortstop on a sinker that was outside. “They’re a g.