The run that won the American League championship wasn’t produced by a blast or a series of base hits. No, the tie-breaker scored in the eighth inning of the Royals’ 4-3 triumph over the Blue Jays in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series originated in a notebook of observations collected by third-base coach Mike Jirschele.
Because Jirschele studies defensive positioning and strengths and weaknesses of outfielders, he knew the Royals could turn an improbable play.
Lorenzo Cain scoring from first base on a single was that play.
“It was a helluva send,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.