Kansas City Royals vs New York Yankees Match Player Stats On May 22, 2017

The Sports Xchange
May 22, 2017

NEW YORK -- Chris Carter made a run-saving defensive play in the top of the seventh and hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning as the New York Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday night.

The Yankees appeared to lose a 3-2 lead with two outs in the seventh when Alcides Escobar hit a groundball against Adam Warren up the middle and slightly to the left of second base. The grounder forced second baseman Starlin Castro to make an off-balance throw to Carter.

The throw bounced, and the ball hit glove of first baseman Carter just as Escobar reached the bag and Jorge Soler slid head-first into home plate.

Initially first base umpire Marvin Hudson called Escobar safe, and the game was tied. The Yankees immediately challenged, and less than a minute later, the call was overturned.

Moments later, Carter slugged an 0-1 pitch from Seth Maness over the left-center-field wall. Carter's third home run ended an 0-for-14 skid.

Before Carter's key plays, Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius homered off Kansas City left-hander Jason Vargas (5-3).

Michael Pineda (5-2) allowed two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings to get the win. Warren recorded the final two outs of the seventh, Tyler Clippard pitched a perfect eighth, and Dellin Betances recorded his third save.

Jorge Bonifacio homered and Escobar hit an RBI double for the Royals, who were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Vargas allowed three runs and four hits in six innings. He fell to 0-7 in his career against the Yankees.

The Royals took a 2-0 lead when Bonifacio opened the third inning by hitting an 0-1 fastball into the left field seats and Escobar doubled down the left field line past a diving attempt by third baseman Chase Headley.

The Yankees made it 2-1 when Gardner slugged a 2-2 pitch into the right field seats with one out in the third.

New York took a 3-2 lead when Gregorius drove a 1-1 pitch halfway up the second deck in right field.

NOTES: Kansas City OF Alex Gordon's wife gave birth to the couple's third child Monday. Gordon is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday. ... Yankees 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) began some baseball activities by taking dry swings. He could progress to batting practice by this weekend and rehab games next week. ... Kansas City manager Ned Yost said RHP Nate Karns (forearm stiffness) is feeling better but the team has not decided if he will make his next scheduled start. ... New York OF/1B Tyler Austin (fractured left ankle) went 1-for-3 in his third rehab game with Double-A Trenton.