Eric Hosmer, take a bow. When the Kansas City Royals needed their slugger most on Wednesday night, he came through. He flipped a potential loss into a victory with one swing of the bat, a particularly important victory considering his team's status in the American League playoff chase. It was likely even sweeter coming off of a former teammate, but the first baseman was just happy to get the win in such dramatic fashion.
Hosmer sends happy fans home
Kauffman Stadium played host to a moment that would've been the highlight of the day on any other day.
But even the bizarre Rich Hill outing couldn't completely block out Hosmer's heroic moment. With two outs in the ninth and two runners on base, the Royals star came to the plate needing to at least get a hit to bring a runner home, or draw a walk to keep the game alive. Instead, he did one better by mashing a three-run walk-off home run off former teammate Greg Holland.
For Holland, it continued a malaise that has lasted throughout the month of August. He has blown three saves and incurred two losses in his past six appearances, giving up 12 runs in the process. If he keeps performing like that, the Colorado Rockies may have to remove him from the closer's role. For Hosmer, it was a moment that could prove to be the definitive highlight of the season for Kansas City if the team completes their surprising run to the playoffs.
Wild card implications for Royals, Rockies
The 6-4 loss is not going to prove to be too costly for the Rockies. The Arizona Diamondbacks lost on Wednesday night as well (to the New York Mets), so Colorado remains a half game out of the spot to host the National League Wild Card game. The Milwaukee Brewers are creeping up on the two NL West teams, but they remain three games back after a loss on Wednesday to the San Francisco Giants.
Kansas City is positioning themselves well for two races. They are still within striking distance of the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central, though it will be challenging to make up five games over the last few weeks of the season. The AL Wild Card is within much closer reach. Depending on the result of the late night game on Wednesday night, the Royals could be as close as a half game out of the second wild card spot, which will likely travel to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees. If that happens, Hosmer will be glad to take on Aaron Judge or Gary Sanchez in a winner-takes-all home run derby in the playoffs.
