2015 World Series Game 5: Once again, Royals bullpen plays big role
The Royals won the World Series in the 12th inning on Sunday after receiving six critical scoreless innings from relievers, putting an exclamation point on an outstanding bullpen contribution.
By
Mike Axisa
•
2 min read
NEW YORK -- Thanks to a miraculous ninth-inning comeback and one of their classic never-say-die rallies in the 12th, the Royals are 2015 World Series champions. They beat the Mets in Game 5 Sunday night at Citi Field (KC 7, NY 2).
A lot of players had a major impact in Game 5. There was Matt Harvey dominating for eight innings. Eric Hosmer's mad dash. Christian Colon's go-ahead single. Lorenzo Cain's bases-clearing double. A game like this has a lot of heroes -- and a few goats as well.
The Kansas City bullpen made a major difference in Game 5, as it seemingly does in every game, really. Three relievers combined to hold the Mets to two singles and a walk in six scoreless innings while striking out six.
"You look at our performances, (Edinson Volquez) was unbelievable. Herrera with a three-inning stint; he hadn't had one of those all year," said manager Ned Yost after Game 5. "And Hoch coming back on his third day for two innings to get the win. And Wade to close it out, our pitching was absolutely unbelievably good."
The Royals bullpen allowed six runs (five earned) in 24 innings in the World Series, and Franklin Morales was charged with four of those runs in one-third of an inning in Game 3. That was the one black mark on the team's bullpen in the series.
"We build our pitching staff back-to-front," said pitching coach Dave Eiland to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Wade Davis struck out eight in four scoreless innings in the World Series. Kelvin Herrera allowed one unearned run in five innings. Luke Hochevar? He threw four scoreless innings in the Fall Classic and 10 2/3 scoreless innings in the postseason when all was said and done.
"I doesn't matter who's up there to hit, who's up there to pitch. Everyone has total faith," said Ryan Madson, who struck out five in three scoreless innings in the World Series.
A great bullpen alone won't win a championship. Teams need to be well-rounded, and the Royals certainly are. Their relief crew stands out as a team strength though, and their six masterful innings were an exclamation point in the series in Game 5.
"We feel like our bullpen is going to be able to hold the fort until we can find a way to score," said Yost. "It's just a team that never quits, never panics. They just find ways to win baseball games."
