Royals Finish off O’s 2-1, Advance To World Series

The Kansas City Royals are American League royalty.

The amazing wild card team won it's eighth straight 2014 postseason game, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 at Kaufman Stadium, triggering a wild celebration as the franchise heads to the World Series for the first time since 1985.

The Royals did it the same way they've done it throughout the postseason:  Starting pitching, relief pitching, impeccable defense and an uncanny ability to manufacture runs.

Wednesday, the Royals got everything they would need in the first inning.  Alcides Escobar led off with a single and went to second when Norichika Aoki was hit by a pitch.  Lorenzo Cain then laid down the first sacrifice of his entire career and the unusual move paid dividends  Eric Hosmer hit a ground ball to first and the throw home was late.  On the slide, the ball got away from catcher Caleb Joseph, allowing Aoki to score what would prove to be the deciding run.

Jason Vargas got the win, pitching the first 5.1 innings and allowing just two hits.  Three Kansas CIty relievers pitched 3.2 innings of shutout ball as they continued their post season mastery.  Greg Holland got his fourth save of the post season.

Kansas City will now play either the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.  The Royals will have home field advantage for the series, by virtue of the American League's win in the All-Star game.