Two-out Tuesday: Royals rock in clutch spots

April 19th, 2016

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals' offense has many characteristics.
It has loads of speed and athleticism. It constantly puts the ball in play to pressure the defense. And it never quits, even when there are two outs.
The Royals plated all eight runs on Tuesday night after two were out in their 8-6 win over the Tigers.
That certainly isn't anything new. The Royals led the Major Leagues in two-out hitting last season at .277. They were third in two-out RBIs with 286. 
This year has been more of the same. They entered the game second in the American League in two-out hitting at .285. And they entered third in two-out RBIs with 18 (now 26).

Royals manager Ned Yost has been asked numerous times why his team is so clutch with two outs.
"They're just good hitters," Yost said. "They don't panic in two-out situations. They don't put too much pressure on themselves during the at-bat."
The Royals have just come to expect it.
Outfielder Jarrod Dyson, just off the disabled list, delivered a two-out RBI in the second inning to open the scoring.
"We never give up," Dyson said. "And we never give in."
Catcher Salvador Perez was the big story Tuesday, delivering a career-high five RBIs -- all with two out.

"We play hard to the end, every inning, every game," Perez said.
The Royals are especially aggressive on the basepaths with two outs as well.
Third-base coach Mike Jirschele, who has been instructed by Yost to take risks, took some early. He sent slow-running Kendrys Morales with two out in the second on Dyson's single to left. Tigers left fielder Justin Uptson made a perfect one-hop throw to home that somehow eluded catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
In the third inning, with Morales on second and Alex Gordon on first, Perez shot a two-out double down the left-field line. Jirschele didn't hesitate and waved in Gordon. A good throw might have had him, but the throw was off-line and Gordon scored.

"Those were some great sends," Yost said. "That's how we play."