How KC Royals bullpen rebounded in pivotal Game 2 victory against New York Yankees

Kansas City Royals players react after the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during Game 2 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 7, 2024.

In Game 2 against the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro did not hesitate to use left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa.

Zerpa experienced a night he wishes he could forget. He didn’t execute in high-pressure situations, giving up one run and two walks.

One of those walks occurred with the bases loaded. It culminated in the Yankees tied Game 1 and ultimately winning 6-5 at home.

Quatraro could have changed up his bullpen rotation. However, he persevered with Zerpa and was rewarded with a stronger performance in Game 2.

Zerpa pitched a scoreless inning and earned the win, bringing the Royals even in the American League Division Series.

Final score: Royals 4, Yankees 2.

“We put Zerpa in that spot the other day because we believe in him,” he stated. “It did not work out that way. But today, you saw more of what we expected. He struck out Soto, which does not happen very frequently. We were hoping to get him out. The double play was huge. “The defence was outstanding all around.”

The Royals persevered with Zerpa and their other late-inning relievers. Quatraro used seasoned pitchers John Schreiber and Lucas Erceg on successive days. In Game 1, they drew two of the team’s eight walks.

The story was altered in Game 2. The Royals bullpen rallied and held onto a three-run lead down the stretch. The Yankees scored their second run in the ninth inning, when third baseman Jazz Chisholm hit a solo home run.

Zerpa replaced Royals starter Cole Ragans in the fifth inning. He made way for Schreiber and left-handed reliever Kris Bubic.

Bubic pitched two innings and allowed no runs. He struck out two hitters and recorded his third save of the postseason. After that, the Royals went to Erceg to finish the game.

On October 7, 2024, Kansas City Royals players react following the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium.
On October 7, 2024, Kansas City Royals players react following the ninth inning against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium.
Erceg surrendered Chisholm’s home run but recorded his third playoff save. The Yankees had four hits and three strikeouts against the Royals bullpen.

“All-around clean baseball game,” Erceg stated. “Everyone did their tasks, and everyone competed with their butts. And for us to be in that position moving back to Kansas City and reclaiming the divisional series will be a huge boost to our momentum and goals.”

The Royals bullpen has been thriving in recent weeks. Before Monday’s game, Kansas City relievers had a 1.95 ERA (20 earned runs in 92 ⅓ innings) in their previous 25 games. It was the second-best mark in the majors, trailing the Cleveland Guardians.

In late September, the Royals bullpen had a scoreless streak of 27 ⅔ innings. The accomplishment helped to clarify roles for several relievers. Quatraro has watched each reliever’s development and is proud of their efforts.

“You don’t ever expect you’re going to keep a team like that scoreless out of the bullpen,” Quatraro pointed out. “But to keep them in check, our guys — that was more representative of what our guys can do than what the other night was.”