The Kansas City Royals came east and finished what they started. With a commanding 6–1 victory in Game 4, the Royals completed a four-game sweep of the Washington Senators and secured their fifth championship in franchise history.
Rheal Cormier was sensational on the mound, going the distance in a complete-game four-hitter. The lefty struck out seven and allowed just one run—a harmless RBI triple from Robert Rivera in the 8th inning—long after the outcome was no longer in doubt.
“We’ve had good teams before,” Cormier said as champagne flowed in the visiting clubhouse. “But this team? This team finished it.”
The Royals wasted no time getting on the board. John Olerud homered in the first off John Burkett, and added a two-run single in a four-run eighth that turned a tense 2–1 contest into a rout. Olerud finished with 3 RBI on the night and 9 for the postseason.
Jim Thome chipped in with a pair of hits and a two-out RBI, while Quilvio Veras tripled and scored in the decisive 8th. Every Royals rally seemed to come with two outs, and the Senators never found a way to stop the bleeding.
Burkett pitched well, allowing just two runs through seven innings, but Kansas City broke it open against Lee Smith, who gave up four runs in the 8th and saw his ERA balloon to 5.14.
Meanwhile, Washington’s offense never got going. Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-4. Albert Belle and Mickey Stanley each went hitless. The Senators managed just four hits, only one before the 8th inning.
“They earned it,” Washington manager Alexander Cumana said. “We got outplayed, outpitched, outhit. That’s what a championship team looks like.”
BOXSCORE HIGHLIGHTS
Kansas City Royals – 6 Runs, 9 Hits, 0 Errors
- John Olerud: 2-for-4, HR (2), 3 RBI
- Jim Thome: 2-for-4, RBI
- Rheal Cormier: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K (W, 2-1), Game Score: 81
- Royals win series 4–0
Washington Senators – 1 Run, 4 Hits, 0 Errors
- Robert Rivera: RBI triple (8th)
- Rheal Cormier retired 20 of the first 22 batters faced
- John Burkett: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 K (L, 3-2)
With the title secured, Kansas City will begin preparations for a championship parade back home. For Washington, it’s another October exit—and another offseason of what-ifs.