The Kansas City Royals have always been a team that has embraced small ball offensively. They did so in dramatic fashion in Thursday’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox with a walk-off bunt attempt that worked to perfection.
The Royals were able to get runners on first and third base in the bottom of the ninth inning with only one out. Kansas City Catcher Freddy Fermín then came to the plate with a chance to win the game.
A double play would have ended the Royals’ chances and sent the game to extra innings. Instead, Royals manager Matt Quatraro made the bold decision to have Fermín lay down a bunt and send the runner from third home on a squeeze play.
Fermín laid down a beautiful bunt that caused White Sox pitcher Reynaldo Lopez to bobble the ball as he went to pick it up. Third-base runner Nick Pratto would score easily without a throw and the Royals would win the game on this gutsy bunt attempt.
It is certainly an unconventional decision by the Royals to attempt this. They received a ton of praise from the MLB world for the decision.
Fermín received a Gatorade bath following his clutch walk-off bunt. He was asked about it after the game where he said that he just wanted to do whatever the team needed to win.
“This is my first walk-off bunt,” said Fermín via Bally Sports Kansas City on Twitter. “I am excited. Whatever we need to do for the team to win. That’s why we are here.”
It has not been a great season for the Royals thus far, sitting just 12-27 after Thursday’s win. Things clearly haven’t been clicking, so this innovative decision to generate a game-winning run may become the new norm in Kansas City.
[MLB on Twitter] Photo Credit: Bally Sports
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.