Royals' speed helps them earn a wild walk-off win against White Sox

Mike Oz

This was one of those wins that playoff-caliber teams have to eke out. And as weird as it may seem still, when we're talking about the Kansas City Royals, we're talking about a team that has every intention of playing in the postseason.

If that happens, Monday night's win may be one of those signature moments that makes the postseason DVD. The Royals beat the White Sox 4-3, earning a walk-off win after scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth. The Royals had lost five of seven and slipped out of first place in the AL Central. They're owners of the second AL wild card and 1 1/2 back in the division, keeping pace with the Detroit Tigers who also won in the ninth inning Monday night.

One win doesn't get a team back on track, but it sure can help. Especially after Royals manager Ned Yost bumbled away the game Sunday by not using his best pitchers in the game's biggest moments. The managerial call this time around was simpler and less controversial — put fast guys on the bases and have them run.

(USA TODAY Sports)
(USA TODAY Sports)

Down 3-2 in the ninth, Mike Moustakas doubled with one out. Yost sent Jarrod Dyson out to run for Moustakas then had Dyson steal third. When the White Sox pitcher Jake Petricka let fly a wild pitch, Dyson just kept running. He scored from second and tied the game.

Nori Aoki doubled later in the inning and that's when Yost called on another pinch runner, Terrance Gore. Lorenzo Cain came up to bat and hit a grounder up the middle that was going to be a close play at first base. Gore kept running from second and came across to score as the White Sox bobbled Cain's grounder.

Fun fact: According to Fox Sports KC, these runnin' Royals have scored from second on a single 114 times this season, the fourth-highest total in MLB.

Maybe walk-off isn't the phasing for this one. It was more like a sprint-off. Shields was happy to see that, because it wiped away a tough outing from him. He gave up 10 hits in seven innings to the White Sox.

The postseason accepts all sorts, even those who race around the bases for wild wins when their ace isn't at his best. Especially those teams, actually.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

- - - - - - -

Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!