Billy Butler appeared to hit the walk-off home run that wasn't on Wednesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, but the call was reversed to give Butler and the Royals a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. For Butler it was his first home run since April 30th, and fourth this year.
Jeff Francoeur singled for the Royals in the ninth inning that brought Butler up to the plate. He hit a fly ball off reliever Scott Downs that appeared to a be a home run but the ball came back onto the field and initially was ruled just a base hit, however after the umpires reviewed the replay, and two minutes and thirty-eight seconds later it was ruled that the baseball went beyond the small green wall that sits above and beyond the regular green padded outfield wall in left center. All in all it was maybe a foot above the outfield wall, but it still counts as a game winner.
The Royals (and Angels for that matter) got solid pitching all day. The newest Royals acquisition, Felipe Paulino went five innings, allowing just four hits. He walked none and struck out four in his first start. In 9.1 innings since joining the Royals he has yet to yield a run or a walk.
The biggest highlight for Paulino was getting out of a bases loaded with no out situation in the third inning.
Greg Holland came on in relief of Paulino and pitched brilliantly in 2.2 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out a career high six batters. Everett Teaford and Louis Coleman each pitched to a better in the eighth, before Tim Collins came on to get the Royals out of another bases loaded situation. The final out came on a spectacular dive and throw by shortstop Alcides Escobar and then a great scoop at first by Eric Hosmer to complete the play.
The Royals were lead by Hosmer, Francouer, and Butler at the plate, each picking up two hits each. The Royals had seven total hits on the day.
Collins picked up the win to improve to 3-2, while Downs fell to 3-2 with the loss.
Kansas City improves to 25-30, while the Angels lose the series and are now 29-29 overall. For Kansas City it was their eighth walkoff of the season, a major league high. The boxscore can be viewed here.
The Royals welcome the Minnesota Twins Thursday evening for the beginning of a four game series. Sean O`Sullivan (2-4 6.75 ERA) faces Anthony Swarzak (0-2 3.60). Gametime will be 7:10.