Whit Merrifield got a lucky hop on an RBI single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 8-7 Sunday despite blowing a six-run lead.
Merrifield hit a sharp, two-out grounder toward third baseman Gio Urshela with speedster Billy Hamilton at second. The ball skipped over the head of Urshela — considered a strong defender at the hot corner — giving Hamilton time to race home. Hamilton had walked against Josh Holder (3-2) and stolen second to set up the play.
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Whit Merrifield got a lucky hop on an RBI single in the 10th inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Yankees 8-7 Sunday despite blowing a six-run lead.
New York's Aaron Hicks tied it in the ninth with a two-run single off Ian Kennedy as the Yankees scored three runs, all with two outs, to make it 7-7.
In 11 innings pitched against Kansas City this season, Germán has given up 10 runs and six homers, taking losses in both games. The 26-year-old has allowed 16 runs and three homers in 49 1/3 innings in his 10 other appearances, nine starts.
Nestor Cortes Jr. threw four shutout innings in relief of Germán.
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Hunter Dozier and Jorge Soler homered on back-to-back pitches in the fifth inning and Martin Maldonado and Ryan O'Hearn also went long as Kansas City hit four home runs in a game for the first time this season. All four had multihit games, with Dozier matching a career high with four hits.
Kansas City Royals' Billy Hamilton, left, and Whit Merrifield celebrate a 10th inning 8-7 win over the New York Yankees in a baseball game Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)
New York's Aaron Hicks tied it in the ninth with a two-run single off Ian Kennedy as the Yankees scored three runs, all with two outs, to make it 7-7.
Kevin McCarthy (2-1) threw a scoreless 10th to earn the win.
Kansas City once again hit around Domingo Germán, who leads the majors with nine wins. Germán gave up a career-high seven runs on nine hits in five innings.
Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield, back left, is congratulated by Jorge Soler (12) and Salvador Perez after hitting a game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning against the New York Yankees during a baseball game Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 8-7. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)
In 11 innings pitched against Kansas City this season, Germán has given up 10 runs and six homers, taking losses in both games. The 26-year-old has allowed 16 runs and three homers in 49 1/3 innings in his 10 other appearances, nine starts.
Danny Duffy pitched six innings, allowing four runs, one earned, and five hits. A throwing error by shortstop Adalberto Mondesi extended the Yankees' sixth inning, and Gleyber Torres hit a three-run shot to center two batters later.
After the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the second, Maldonado belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning. O'Hearn added a solo shot in the fourth.
Fans try to catch a home run ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Hunter Dozier in the fifth inning during a baseball against the New York Yankees game Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)
Nestor Cortes Jr. threw four shutout innings in relief of Germán.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Yankees: LHP James Paxton (left knee inflammation) took pitcher's fielding practice and threw long toss Sunday and is likely to return to the rotation this week. ... SS Didi Gregorius was the designated hitter for Class A Tampa, getting two hits, including a homer. ... Dellin Betances (right shoulder impingement) will resume throwing bullpens either Monday or Tuesday. ... OF Aaron Judge (left oblique) told the YES Network he hopes to begin swinging a bat this week. ... RHP Jake Barrett was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 23, with right elbow inflammation.
New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German, left, looks at the scoreboard after giving up a home run to Kansas City Royals' Ryan O'Hearn in the fourth inning during a baseball game Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)
UP NEXT
Royals: Kansas City heads to Chicago for a three-game set with the White Sox. RHP Homer Bailey (4-5) starts Monday for the Royals against RHP Ivan Nova (3-4).
Yankees: New York returns home as the Padres travel to the Bronx. The Yankees haven't announced a starter for the opener while LHP Matt Strahm (2-3) gets the ball for San Diego.
Kansas City Royals' Hunter Dozier watches his two-run home run in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)
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CORRECTS THE YEAR TO 2019, NOT 2018 AS ORIGINALLY SENT - New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German throws in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals during a baseball game Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoEd Zurga)