KANSAS CITY — In a tense and dramatic World Series opener, the Kansas City Royals walked it off in the 10th inning as Jim Thome crushed a solo homer to lift the Royals to a 5–4 victory over the Washington Senators at Royals Stadium.
Kevin Brown delivered a World Series performance to remember, pitching 9 gritty innings and striking out 10. Though he lost a late lead in the eighth and ninth innings, Brown’s effort kept Kansas City in position for Thome’s game-winning blow.
“Kevin left it all out there,” said Kansas City manager. “And when Thome got hold of that one, we knew it was gone.”
Game Summary
Kansas City opened the scoring early with solo shots from Ray Lankford and a sac fly from John Olerud, staking Brown to a 2–0 lead that held until the eighth.
But the Senators roared back. With two outs and two runners aboard in the eighth, Alex Rodriguez laced a two-run double to tie it. Moments later, Albert Belle tripled to right-center to give Washington a 3–2 edge. The Senators added one more in the ninth on a solo homer from Willie Greene.
Down to their final three outs, Kansas City responded. Roberto Alomar doubled to start the bottom of the ninth, and back-to-back RBI knocks from Olerud and Veras tied the game at 4–4.
Then in the 10th, Thome sent a first-pitch fastball from reliever Greg McMichael into the right-field seats, delivering the Royals a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Box Score Highlights
Washington Senators
- Alex Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, SB
- Willie Greene: 1-for-4, HR (1)
- Marquis Grissom: 2-for-4
- Mark Morgan: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Kansas City Royals
- Jim Thome: 2-for-5, walk-off HR (4), 1 RBI
- Ray Lankford: 1-for-5, HR (2), 2 R
- Quilvio Veras: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
- Kevin Brown (W): 9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 10 K
Pitching Notes
- Kevin Brown threw 143 pitches and struck out 10 while walking three. His game score of 66 underscored his dominance despite the late blemishes.
- Greg McMichael, usually reliable, faltered with a blown save and the walk-off homer.
- Armando Benitez retired both batters he faced in the 10th, earning the win.
Up Next
Game 2 is set for Tuesday night, with Andy Pettitte taking the mound for the Senators and Denny Neagle starting for Kansas City. The Royals look to defend home turf again and extend their series lead, while the Senators aim to even things up before heading back to Washington.
Final Score: Royals 5, Senators 4 (10 innings)
Series: Kansas City leads 1–0
Player of the Game: Kevin Brown (9 IP, 10 K)
Walk-Off Hero: Jim Thome (solo HR, 10th inning)