Alex Gordon did it all to help the Royals get an upper hand in the American League Championship Series. The 30-year-old outfielder put together a monster performance in his first career ALCS contest, using both his bat and his glove to lead the Royals to an 8-6 Game 1 win over the Orioles in 10 innings. Gordon went 3-for-4 with a bases-loaded double, a 10th-inning homer and four RBIs, while adding a diving catch in the third. Kansas City manager Ned Yost was thrilled to see Gordon come...

Tommy Hunter warmed up in the third inning last night and pitched in the fifth. Not the usual routine for the Orioles reliever, who tends to make later entrances. Welcome to October baseball. Routines go out the window. Hunter replaced starter Chris Tillman with one out in the fifth, the first time he pitched in that inning since September 2012. Billy Butler lifted a sacrifice fly and Alex Gordon singled before Hunter picked him off first base. Kevin Gausman replaced Hunter in the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed tonight that Bud Norris will start Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday at Camden Yards. Showalter chose Norris over left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. He actually made the decision before an 8-6, 10-inning loss to the Royals in Game 1. Chen is expected to start Game 3, followed by Miguel Gonzalez in Game 4, but everything is subject to change. "We kept (Norris) around like we might need him," Showalter said. "He was trying to beat the...

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day gave up just three homers in his first 77 2/3 innings this season. Then he allowed three homers in September. Tonight he gave up a tiebreaking homer to Alex Gordon leading off the 10th inning as Kansas City posted an 8-6 win over the Oriolesto take Game 1 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series. O'Day got a double play to end the ninth and keep the game tied at 5-5, but Gordon untied it for Kansas City. "It's tough, that's a hard-fought...

In a game that featured some strange plays, ineffective outings by both starters, a blown four-run lead and an amazing escape act in the top of the ninth, Alex Gordon hit a go-ahead homer in the 10th inning as Kansas City took the opener of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series 8-6 over the Orioles. Gordon's homer to right, on a 1-1 pitch from Darren O'Day, helped the Royals improved to 4-0 in extra innings in five postseason games. It was the first homer of the playoffs for...

The rain has picked up in intensity tonight at Camden Yards. So has the scoring. The Orioles battled back from a 5-1 deficit to tie Game 1 of the American League Championship Series 5-5 as we head to the top of the seventh inning. The Royals are known for their bullpen and defense, but they were let down. Rookie Brandon Finnegan, the 17th overall pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of TCU, didn't retire any of the three batters he faced after replacing starter James Shields in...

The ballpark is as loud as expected tonight for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Manager Buck Showalter always draws the loudest and most prolonged ovation. The place also erupted for J.J. Hardy, who signed his three-year, $40 million extension yesterday. Players not on the ALCS roster - Matt Wieters, Steve Clevenger, Quintin Berry and Ryan Webb - were introduced before the game. Wieters tried to catch the ceremonial first pitch from former Orioles first baseman Boog...

The tarp is off the field. Lines are being drawn in chalk. Infield dirt is being raked. It appears that Game 1 of the American League Championship Series will start on time. Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today whether he'd rather play three hours in a light rain or five days in a row. "Yes," he replied. A classic response from Showalter. Just give him a starting time and his team will be ready. "We're pretty excited to be playing," he said. "The big thing is in...

Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz said he learned of his inclusion on the American League Championship Series roster following yesterday's workout at Camden Yards. He never took it for granted. Matusz was left off the Division Series roster because the Orioles didn't need more than two left-handed relievers against the Tigers. He didn't know whether he'd make the ALCS cut until notified by manager Buck Showalter. "Buck pulled me into his office and said I'm going to be on the roster,"...

Two possible choices for the Orioles' Game 2 starter in the American League Championship Series meant two players and one interpreter in the interview room a little earlier here at Camden Yards. Both Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen were interviewed and Louis Chao was there to translate for Chen. Norris was the Game 3 winner against Detroit when he went 6 1/3 scoreless innings on two hits, while Chen got a no-decision in Game 2 when he gave up five runs over 3 2/3 innings against the Tigers. Both...