Royals let Yankees walk away with win in AL Division Series opener

NEW YORK (AP) — Given a lead, the Kansas City Royals' pitching staff let the New York Yankees walk away with a playoff win.

Facing the team that led the major leagues in walks during the regular season, the Royals held the lead three times, only to see it erased when their pitchers struggled to find the strike zone during a 6-5 loss to the Yankees in their AL Division Series opener Saturday night.

Kansas City tied a season high by issuing eight walks for the third time. It was the first time the Royals handed out that many free passes since July 4 against Tampa Bay, though they also walked seven batters during a 10-4 loss at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 9.

“That’s really uncharacteristic for us,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s something you don’t want to try to fight back from against a team like that. So that was uncharacteristic and unfortunate because that’s not really who we are as a staff.”

Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber in particular struggled with their command, issuing bases-loaded walks to Austin Wells and Anthony Volpe in the fifth inning that allowed the Yankees to take a 5-4 lead. Zerpa also walked Aaron Judge on a slider before walking Wells on a sinker that was high and inside.

“They looked at a lot of pitches,” Zerpa said through a translator. “We were close, but not good enough pitches to make them count."

Schreiber got two quick outs but fell behind Volpe and walked the shortstop on a sinker that was outside.

“They’re a great team,” Schreiber said. “We've just got to go out there and keep trying to execute pitches and get them out, and that’s the biggest thing."

It was the first time the Yankees drew a pair of bases-loaded walks in a postseason game since Bullet Joe Bush and Joe Dugan against the New York Giants’ Rosy Ryan in Game 6 of the 1923 World Series.

Zerpa and Schreiber combined to walk three of the seven hitters they faced after starter Michael Wacha walked three in four-plus innings and was pulled following a walk to Gleyber Torres to open the fifth. Wacha threw 44 of 70 pitches for strikes and issued at least three walks for the sixth time this year.

“You try to stay on the attack and make good, quality pitches," Wacha said. “I was able to do that at times and then not at times as well.”

After Zerpa and Schreiber walked Wells and Volpe, Sam Long opened the sixth by walking No. 9 hitter Alex Verdugo, who later scored on a tying single by Wells.

“I think you've got to treat everybody the same,” Long said about pitching to the Yankees. “They’re a good lineup, no doubt about it. There’s a little bit more emphasis on making quality pitches. So just come in and execute better next time.”

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From left, Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11), pitcher Michael Wacha (52) and catcher Salvador Perez (13) talk on the mound during the fourth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) argues with home plate umpire Adam Hamari (78) after being called out on strikes during the ninth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) walks off the mound after being relieved during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa (61) delivers against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) walks off the field during the seventh inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) is relieved by Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Sam Long (73) hands the ball to Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro (33) as he leaves the game during the sixth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series against the New York Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Kansas City Royals pitcher John Schreiber reacts after walking in a run with the bases loaded against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa walks off the field after walking home a run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of Game 1 of the American League baseball division series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

ATLANTA (AP) — Haynes King threw a go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Jamal Haynes early in the fourth quarter and Georgia Tech overcame two touchdown passes by Maalik Murphy to beat Duke 24-14 on Saturday night, handing the Blue Devils their first loss.

Sahmir Hagans gave Duke a 14-10 lead on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Murphy late in the third quarter.

Haynes, who ran for 128 yards on 19 carries, capped a 14-play drive which covered 85 yards by catching the soft pass in the right side of the end zone for a 17-14 lead. King padded the lead with a 9-yard scoring pass to Eric Singleton Jr. with 6:36 remaining.

Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) dominated the first half and then recovered after blowing a 10-0 lead.

Duke (5-1, 1-1) failed to extend its best start to a season since winning its first seven games in 1994.

Haynes matched his career high on his 22nd birthday and led the Yellow Jackets' dominance on the ground.

Haynes was presented a birthday cake on the field after the game and gave credit to his offensive line for his big night.

“We came out and did what we have to do,” Haynes said. “We have a great mentality in our running back room and I have trust in all our backs. ... A big shoutout to the offensive line.”

Georgia Tech outrushed Duke 245-74 and claimed a 412-279 advantage in total yards. Chad Alexander added 59 yards.

“The tailbacks going for as many yards as they did was ultimately the telling stat,” said Duke coach Manny Diaz.

Diaz said the Blue Devils faded after surging to a 14-10 lead.

“Once we got going we looked like we were going to be hard to stop the rest of the day,” Diaz said. “We just could not keep the momentum going.”

King was busy as a runner and passer, often taking off on keepers. He had 12 carries for 30 yards while completing 23 of 31 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Backup quarterback Zach Pyron added a 2-yard scoring run to cap the Yellow Jackets' opening drive.

Murphy passed for more than 200 yards for the sixth consecutive game, completing 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Ahmari Harvey ended Duke's last possession with an interception with 11 seconds remaining.

Duke's Todd Pelino was wide right on a 43-yard field goal attempt with 3:58 remaining.

Duke: Murphy suffered his first loss after posting a 7-0 record, including two wins at Texas before his transfer. Murphy had too little help from the Blue Devils' running game. Star Thomas had 14 carries for only 48 yards.

Georgia Tech: King's quick and mostly accurate passes were effective when paired with Haynes' strong runs. Jordan van den Berg had a third-down sack of Murphy late in the first half to take the Blue Devils out of field goal position and added another tackle for loss. The Yellow Jackets improved to 11-1 following a loss under coach Brent Key.

Duke: Hosts Florida State on Oct. 18. Clemson defeated Florida State 29-13 on Saturday.

Georgia Tech: Visits North Carolina on Oct. 12. The Tar Heels fell to 3-3 and 0-2 in the ACC with a 34-24 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) stiff arms Duke Blue Devils linebacker Cameron Bergeron (4) in the first quarter of a football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Zach Pyron (5) celebrates in the end zone after a rushing touchdown in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) runs down the sidelines after a punt return in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) runs the ball after a catch in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) drops back to pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) drops back to pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) breaks a tackle in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. (2) stretches out for a pass in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) runs the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (11) runs the ball in the first quarter of a football game against the Duke BlueDevils, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)