Kansas City Royals pushed to brink of elimination with Game 3 loss to NY Yankees

Kansas City Royals fans waited nearly a decade for this moment.

It had been years since the Royals played a postseason game in Kansas City. Iconic images of Salvador Perez holding the World Series trophy were fading with each passing season.

Postseason October baseball returned to Kauffman Stadium at long last on Wednesday evening, but the outcome wasn’t what the Royals — or their fans — had hoped for: The Yankees won 3-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the American League Division Series.

Game 4 of the best-of-five ALDS is Thursday at Kauffman Stadium, with the Royals needing to win to stave off elimination.

Facing elimination from ALDS

Despite loud cheers from a sold-out crowd of 40,312 — the Royals’ first sellout since opening day — the Royals are in a precarious position after Wednesday’s loss.

Thursday’s fourth game of the ALDS is a win-or-go-home scenario. First pitch is set for 7:08 p.m. Central Time (TBS, Max).

Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton propelled New York to victory Wednesday night. He hit a solo home run in the eight inning to break a 2-2 tie.

The Royals fought from behind throughout the game. The Yankees scored early with an RBI from Stanton and Juan Soto’s sacrifice fly.

In the fifth inning, the Royals found some offensive rhythm. Adam Frazier led off with a single and Kyle Isbel drove him home with an RBI double.

KC was down 2-1 at that point, but Michael Massey followed with a RBI triple that got past the glove of a diving Soto.

The Royals had tied the game and The K was rocking. But the momentum shifted again with Stanton’s home run, and KC couldn’t pull even again in the ninth.

Yankees reliever Luke Weaver picked up the save, pitching the final five outs of the game.

Missed previous games of the series?

Game 1: Royals drop ALDS opener in 6-5 loss to Yankees

Game 2: Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia fuel Royals 4-2 win over Yankees

Here are more notable aspects of Wednesday’s ALDS Game 3:

Giancarlo Stanton torments Royals

The Yankees slugger had a good night at the office. Stanton, who entered hitting .125 in the series, was difficult to retire in Wednesday’s game.

Stanton finished 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.

In the fourth inning, Stanton hit an RBI double that scored Soto from first base. Later, he hit a go-ahead solo homer over the left-field wall to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.

Royals reliever Kris Bubic threw a 85.2-mph slider at the bottom of the strike zone. However, Stanton was able to make solid contact. The homer traveled 417 feet and gave the Yankees their second lead of the game.

Walks bite Royals pitchers again

The Royals continued to deal with excessive walks. In Wednesday’s game, the club issued nine walks against the Yankees.

Royals starter Seth Lugo walked four batters in five innings. He allowed two earned runs and scattered two hits in his outing.

In the fifth inning, Lugo worked out of potential trouble. He issued a single and two walks as Yankees flipped the lineup card back to the top of the order.

Lugo had to navigate Soto and AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge. He retired both, despite Soto’s sacrifice fly, to end the threat.

However, the Royals bullpen was further stricken by the additional free passes.

Bubic walked two batters after allowing Stanton’s home run. It gave the Yankees another opportunity to build their lead, but the club failed to cash in the scoring chance.

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule:

Kauffman Stadium will play host to Game 4 of the ALDS on Thursday night.

The Royals have a 2-1 lead in the series and will start right-hander Michael Wacha in the potential clinching game. Wacha started Game 1 and allowed three earned runs across four innings.

The Yankees start ace pitcher Gerrit Cole. He allowed four runs (three earned) in Game 1 at Yankee Stadium.