Ep 22. 2014 ALCS, Game 3: Orioles at Royals
- October 14, 2014
The Division and League Championship Series season 2014 episode 22 titled "2014 ALCS, Game 3: Orioles at Royals" is an exciting installment in the sports documentary series. This episode covers the third game of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals, which took place on October 14, 2014, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
The episode begins with an overview of the ALCS, which is a best-of-seven playoff series between the winner of the AL East division (the Orioles) and the winner of the AL Central division (the Royals). The series is a highly anticipated matchup between two talented teams, both with strong pitching and solid lineups.
As the game gets underway, the episode focuses on the starting pitchers for each team. For the Orioles, it's Wei-Yin Chen, a left-handed pitcher from Taiwan who has been with the team since 2012. Chen has been a consistent performer for the O's, with a 16-6 record and a 3.54 ERA during the regular season. His counterpart for the Royals is Jeremy Guthrie, a right-handed pitcher who spent three seasons with the Orioles earlier in his career. Guthrie had a solid season for the Royals, going 13-11 with a 4.13 ERA.
The first few innings of the game are tense, with both pitchers doing a good job of keeping the opposing team off the scoreboard. The Royals strike first in the bottom of the third inning, when outfielder Nori Aoki singles in a run to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. The Orioles respond in the top of the fourth inning, when designated hitter Nelson Cruz hits a home run to tie the game at 1-1.
The episode does an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of the game, with close-ups of the players and the crowd. The tension builds as the game progresses, with both teams having opportunities to take the lead but failing to do so. The episode also does a great job of highlighting the individual performances of the players, such as Orioles third baseman Ryan Flaherty's clutch defensive play in the bottom of the eighth inning that helps keep the game tied.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Orioles manage to load the bases with only one out. However, they are unable to capitalize on the opportunity, as Royals reliever Wade Davis strikes out two batters in a row to end the inning. The game remains tied going into the bottom of the ninth inning, and the tension is palpable.
The Royals manage to get a runner on base in the bottom of the ninth inning, and then outfielder Jarrod Dyson comes in as a pinch runner. Dyson, known for his speed, steals second base and then advances to third on a sacrifice bunt. With one out and the winning run just 90 feet away, the Orioles are forced to bring their infielders in to try and prevent a run from scoring.
The Royals' next batter, Mike Moustakas, hits a fly ball to left field that seems deep enough to score Dyson from third base. However, Orioles left fielder Alejandro De Aza makes a strong throw to home plate, and catcher Nick Hundley tags out Dyson in a close play at the plate. The game remains tied, and the episode does a great job of capturing the excitement and drama of the moment.
The game continues into extra innings, and the tension continues to build. Each team has opportunities to score, but solid pitching and strong defense keep the game tied. Finally, in the bottom of the 10th inning, the Royals manage to push across the winning run. Eric Hosmer hits a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Lorenzo Cain from third base and giving the Royals a 2-1 victory.
The episode ends with highlights of the game, as well as reactions from the players and coaches. It's a thrilling installment in the series, capturing the excitement and drama of playoff baseball. Overall, "2014 ALCS, Game 3: Orioles at Royals" is a must-watch for any fan of the sport.