MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Headed over to O.co Coliseum for my first baseball game of the year for the matchup between the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Athletics.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Last night I was dreading the likelihood of rain delay due to the forecast calling for rain ALL day. But Mother Nature was very kind and after a teaser drizzle in the first quarter she held off all afternoon for a great day of baseball!
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
A's came up with the first run by Yoenis Cespedes. Only to be matched in the third by Billy Butler.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Johnny Gomes batted in himself and Yoenis Cespedes on a home run in the fourth.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
And Royals answered with a run in the seventh. And they held it tied at 3-3 as the game went into the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th innings. As both teams went through their available relief pitchers and the game time approached four hours, I was extra thankful for the lack of rain during the day.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Top of the twelfth, Eric Hosmer was able to score a run and I figured the game was over for the A's. I planned to leave after two outs by the A's so I could beat the players to the hallway and not have to wait for the field to clear before heading to the press box. First batter, out. Then Seth Smith came on as pinch hitter. As he ran for first, I saw the second out coming - but then an error by shortstop Alcides Escobar gave Smith a nice single.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Then with one out, Jemille Weeks was walked to first, sending Smith to second. Then Eric Sogard was walked. Leaving bases loaded Sogard on 1st, Weeks on 2nd and Smith on 3rd.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Then Coco Crisp grounded out to allow Smith to score.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Then Yoenis Cespedes was hit by a pitch. Putting him on 1st, Sogard on 2nd and Weeks on 3rd.
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Bases loaded with Johnny Gomes at bat and he was hit by a pitch and therefore walked to first... allowing Weeks to walk in for the game winning run!
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
That's not a finish you see at many baseball games!
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Tough day for Jonathan Broxton and the Royals
MLB: Kansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics
Full set: http://kelleylcox.com/action/baseball/mlb/20120411royalsatathletics
