Visitor: Toronto Blue Jays

Home: Kansas City Royals

Date: October 12, 1985

ALCS Game 4

Scoring:

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

TOR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 7 0

KC 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0

Visitor playmakers:

CF Lloyd Moseby, 1B Al Oliver

Home playmakers:

DH Hal McRae

Network: NBC

Announcers: Bob Costas, Tony Kubek

Pregame:

Postgame:

Commercials:

Grade:

Notes: The Toronto Blue Jays prevailed, 3-1, in Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals needed a win to tie the series while Toronto still needed one more victory after Game 4 to clinch the first pennant for a team outside the United States.

The fourth game was a rematch of the pitchers who had started Game 1, with Stieb taking on Leibrandt. Entering the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Jays had only two hits and the Royals had only one. But a walk to Lonnie Smith and a single to Willie Wilson put runners at first and third with nobody out and the hot-hitting George Brett at the plate. Not wanting to take chances, Toronto manager Bobby Cox opted to walk Brett, loading the bases with nobody out. Another walk to Hal McRae gave the Royals a 1-0 lead. But Stieb, showing incredible resolve, got out of the inning by inducing a pop out by Sheridan and a double play grounder from Frank White.

Entering the ninth, it appeared the walk was going to be the difference between the winner and loser. For the second time in four games, Dick Howser sent Dan Quisenberry to close out the game. For the second time in four games, the Blue Jays came back to win. Leibrandt opened the ninth having surrendered only four hits. But a walk to Damaso Garcia and a double by Moseby tied the game. Quisenberry entered the game and gave up a single to George Bell and a double to Al Oliver that scored Moseby and Bell, giving the Jays a 3-1 lead. The Royals did get two on and two out in the ninth, but Henke got out of the jam unscathed and emerged a winner for the second time in three games.

Thanks Paul!

Running time: 2:33 (2 discs)