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Royals erupt for five runs in sixth inning on way to 7-2 victory in Game 2

Royals erupt for five runs in sixth inning on way to 7-2 victory in Game 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jake Peavy was cruising, having retired 10 straight batters and looking like he would save the San Francisco Giants from needing to use their bullpen until the seventh inning. But the sixth inning has been a danger zone for him — Peavy never had made it past the sixth in seven career postseason starts.

The Kansas City Royals helped to continue Peavy's unfortunate streak Wednesday night in Game 2 of the World Series, knocking out Peavy in the bottom of the sixth during a five-run outburst that keyed a 7-2 victory against the San Francisco Giants. It was Kansas City's first World Series victory since 1985.

Omar Infante's two-run homer capped the scoring in the sixth, and it also prompted a strange moment when players from both teams left their respective bench areas because of an argument between Strickland and Salvador Perez of the Royals. Regardless, the big inning put the Royals in position to tie the Series at a game apiece heading back San Francisco for three games at AT&T Park starting Friday night.

With the score tied 2-all, Lorenzo Cain led off the sixth with a bloop single to center. Peavy seemed to avoid throwing much in the zone to Eric Hosmer, walking him to put runners at first and second. That ended Peavy's night, with manager Bruce Bochy going to reliever Jean Machi to face Billy Butler, who lined an RBI single to left to give Kansas City a 3-2 lead.

One out and another pitching change later, right-hander Hunter Strickland threw a wild pitch to move Hosmer to third base and Terrance Gore — who pinch ran for Butler — to second. With the infield playing in and the outfield positioned shallow, Perez lined a two run double to the gap in left-center, scoring two more.

(AP)
(AP)

 

Peavy allowed four earned runs and six hits with two walks over five-plus innings. His career postseason ERA is 7.05 in 37 innings.

 

 

Infante followed with a two-run homer to left — his first long ball in 159 career plate appearances and 40 postseason games — making it 7-2.

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David Brown is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at rdbrown@yahoo-inc.com and follow him on Twitter!

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