Visitor: Kansas City Royals

Home: Toronto Blue Jays

Date: October 9, 1985

ALCS Game 2

Scoring:

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E

KC 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 10 3

TOR 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 6 10 0

Visitor playmakers:

CF Willie Wilson, C Jim Sundberg, RF Pat Sheridan, 2B Frank White

Home playmakers:

1B Cliff Johnson, OF Jesse Barfield, CF Lloyd Moseby, 1B Al Oliver

Network: NBC (KTVY Oklahoma City)

Announcers: Bob Costas, Tony Kubek

Pregame:

Postgame:

Commercials:

Grade:

Notes: Game 2 had its share of both excitement and controversy before the Blue Jays prevailed, 6-5, in ten innings. This game matched the Royals' Bud Black against Toronto left-hander Jimmy Key. The Royals scored in the third when Buddy Biancalana singled and scored on a home run by the light-hitting Willie Wilson to make it 2-0. They extended their lead in the fourth when Darryl Motley singled and scored on a double by Jim Sundberg. The Jays, trailing 3-0, got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when George Bell reached on an error by George Brett and scored on Cliff Johnson's double to make it 3-1.

Similar to game one, rain interrupted the starting pitcher with the Blue Jays at bat, this time in the sixth inning with the Royals leading, 3-1. With two outs, Black hit Bell with a pitch. Cliff Johnson singled to left to put runners at first and second with two out. Black then threw a wild pitch, moving the runners up ninety feet. Seeing a chance to tie it, Blue Jays manager Bobby Cox pulled Johnson and sent in a faster pinch-runner, Lou Thornton. The move paid off when Barfield singled up the middle to score both runners and tie the game at three. Black retired Upshaw but now had a tie game.

In the bottom of the eighth, Royals manager Dick Howser sent in his closer, Dan Quisenberry, to keep the tie. With one out, Lloyd Moseby singled, stole second, and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Jim Sundberg. When Moseby then scored on George Bell's sacrifice fly, the Blue Jays were only three outs from a 2-0 series lead. But Kansas City would not go quietly. Reserve outfielder Pat Sheridan pinch-hit for Motley and drilled a game-tying solo shot off Tom Henke to lead off the ninth. Neither team scored and the game went into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, Willie Wilson singled to center. There was some controversy, however, as replays showed that Moseby clearly had caught the ball. Wilson stole second with two outs and scored on a single by Frank White. The Blue Jays came to bat with a potential tainted Royal win hanging in the balance.

The Blue Jays responded with a single by Tony Fernández. Fernandez moved to second on Damaso Garcia's infield fielder's choice and scored on Moseby's single. Quisenberry then tried to pick off Moseby. The pick-off was initially successful, but Steve Balboni threw the ball away and Moseby was safe at second. Al Oliver drove Moseby home with the winning run and the Blue Jays headed for Kansas City with a 2-0 series lead. Each closer was involved in the decision as Henke got the win and Quisenberry the loss.

Thanks Paul!

Running time: 2:57 (2 discs)