Once again, Mike Moustakas hit a clutch postseason home run
Moose goes yard again, now has four postseason HRs
In the top of the fourth inning of ALCS Game 2, Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas launched a solo shot off Orioles starter Bud Norris, extending his team's lead to 4-3:
That homer was Moustakas' fourth career postseason dinger -- which is particuarly impressive when you remember that this is Moustakas' first postseason.
Beyond that, he's knocked those four blasts in just 23 postseason at-bats. During the regular season, Moose hit just 15 homers -- averaging a homer every 35.2 at-bats.
His first postseason long ball came in Game 1 of the ALDS in Los Angeles, when he put the Royals on top for good in the top of the 11th inning:
He followed that up by going yard once more in Game 3:
And then, on Friday, Moose came through in extra innings yet again, knocking a two-run homer at Camden Yards in Game 1 of the ALCS to give the Royals an 8-6 win:
All of this is particularly ironic when you remember that these Royals are famous for their speedy baserunning, incredible defense and aggressive small-ball tactics. Which may explain why Ned Yost had the third baseman lay down a sacrifice bunt with the eventual winning run on base in the top of the ninth inning.
That said, it helps when you can clear the bases every once in a while.