Mike Moustakas Sets Franchise Record In Royals Win

Mike Moustakas had a big night for the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, but it took him a little time to get going. Moustakas had done nothing in his first two at bats, but things were about to change in a big way. In the sixth inning he slipped a single into center field which scored two runs and tied the score at four. In the seventh he cracked a grand slam over the right field wall. Then the cherry on the sundae came in the ninth when Mike hit a three run line drive home run to give the Royals a 14-6 lead, which would be the final score of the ballgame.

After his franchise record nine RBI performance Moustakas shared his feelings with The Kansas City Star.

“It feels pretty good. It feels really good, actually. I went out there trying to what I can to help us win. Guys got on base today. Gave me opportunities to drive in some runs. And I was able to capitalize on that.”

The Royals needed a Moustakas pick-me-up as they have been in a bit of a funk lately, losing six of their last seven games. Nobody was hitting the panic button in Kansas City, as they have an 11 game lead in the American League Central division, but they do have to be concerned with the Toronto Blue Jays creeping up on them for the best record in the A.L. The Royals would like to keep the best record in the league because that would mean home field advantage in the A.L. Championship Series, if they make it that far.

It took a while, over three hours, for the game to even begin on Saturday because Mother Nature was busy soaking Baltimore. The teams were able to wait out the storm and then it was the runs that started raining down. Eric Hosmer, Kendrys Morales, and Moustakas all scored three runs. Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold each had a home run in the loss for the Orioles. Saturday was the eighth time this season that the Royals scored in double figures.

Mike Moustakas and his nine RBIs broke the previous franchise record of seven in a game by Billy Butler. Looking towards Sunday, Moustakas will need to knock in seven more runs to break the record of 15 RBI in back-to-back games which is held by Tony Lazzeri of the 1936 New York Yankees.

[Image by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images]