Royals punch ticket to American League Division Series

BALTIMORE, Md. (KMIZ)

The Kansas City Royals have won their first MLB playoff series since capturing the franchise's last World Series title in 2015. Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI single in the 6th inning lifted his team to a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles, sealing an American League Wild Card Series sweep.

After Kansas City took a 1-0 lead in the opening frame with an RBI single from Vinnie Pasquantino, Baltimore scored its first and only run of the series to tie the game four frames later, following a solo home run from Cedric Mullins. Before Mullins' first home run of the postseason, the Royals held the Orioles scoreless for 13 consecutive frames.

Witt Jr. responded one inning later, delivering the game-winning hit for a second straight contest. Baltimore's Jordan Westburg made a diving stop up the middle, but the Royals' shortstop was able to beat the throw to first base, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Witt Jr. finished the contest 2-for-5 with a pair of singles and one RBI.

From there, the Kansas City bullpen allowed just one hit over the next four frames to clinch a spot in the American League Division Series. Angel Zerpa, John Schreiber, Sam Long, Kris Bubic and Lucas Erceg combined to toss 4.2 scoreless innings in relief of Seth Lugo, giving up just one hit and striking out six batters. Zerpa earned the win, Erceg got his second save of the playoffs and Lugo was awarded a no-decision for his start on the mound, following a five-hit, six-strikeout performance in his 4.1 innings of work.

Collectively, the Royals outhit the Orioles 9-6, led by two-hit games from Michael Massey, Witt Jr. and Pasquantino.

Up next - Kansas City travels to New York to begin a best-of-five American League Division Series against the top-seeded Yankees. First pitch for game one is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5:38 p.m.