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Princeton University Athletics
Young Solid in Postseason Start to Help Kansas City Royals Past Blue Jays
October 20, 2015 | Baseball
YOUNG NAMED GAME 4 STARTER
TIGERS IN THE POSTSEASON
PRINCETON, N.J. – The first Princeton player to ever start a League Championship Series, former Tiger Chris Young turned in 4.2 solid innings to help the Kansas City Royals to a 14-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Spotted a 4-0 lead, Young made quick work of the Blue Jays in the first couple of innings. Striking out leadoff hitter Ben Revere, Young walked Josh Donaldson on four pitches. Battling back, Young fanned Jose Bautista before getting Edwin Encarnacion swinging to end the first. In the second, Young got Chris Colabello to ground out to short before retiring Troy Tulowitzki and Russell Martin with a pair of fly balls to right.
Getting Kevin Pillar out on a pop-up to shallow center to open the third, Young had to pitch out of a jam. Surrendering his first hit to Ryan Goins on a bloop single to left, Young walked Revere. Donaldson followed with a ground-rule double to left that scored the Blue Jays' first run. With Toronto pushing another run across the plate on a Bautista groundout to second, Young got Encarnacion to fly out to right to limit the damage.
Settling back in the following inning, Young retired the side in order. With Colabello lining out to third to start the frame, Young induced Tulowitzki to ground out to short. Young then got Russell Martin to ground out to third to end the inning.
Getting the first two outs of the fifth, Young struck out Pillar before Goins flied out to left. Allowing a single to Revere, Young closed out his day, giving way to Luke Hochevar. Pitching 4.2 innings, Young finished with four strikeouts, allowing two runs on three hits.
Earlier this postseason, Young helped the Royals to a game one ALDS win over the Houston Astros. Taking over for starter Yordano Ventura following a lengthy rain delay, Young tossed 4.0 innings of shutout baseball. Fanning six of the first seven batters he faced, Young set a new Royals postseason record with seven strikeouts by a relief pitcher.
As a member of the San Diego Padres on Oct. 7, 2006, Young became the only Princeton player to win a postseason game, tossing 6.2 shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing four hits while striking out nine in a 3-1 game three win in the National League Division Series.
Now holding a 3-1 lead in the ALCS, Young and the Royals will get their first chance to close out the series on Wednesday, Oct. 21. First pitch is set for 4:07 p.m.