Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals

Samuel Basallo was determined that he wasn’t going to let the Orioles lose on Monday at Kauffman Stadium. After producing a two-out, two-strike RBI single that tied the game in the ninth, Basallo came through again with a go-ahead RBI single in the 12th that served as the springboard for Baltimore’s 7-5 victory over the Royals. The Orioles finally opened a big lead later in the 12th when Leody Taveras hit a grand slam off Royals reliever Alex Lange. Taveras’ slam is the second-latest grand slam in Orioles/Browns franchise history, behind only Pedro Alvarez's grand slam in the 14th inning on April 6, 2018. “I wasn’t trying to do too much or play the hero,” Basallo said through interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Our mentality is not to give up until the last out is made. We are going to go out there and fight. We aren’t going to give in.” The left-handed-hitting Basallo’s clutch singles in the ninth and 12th both went to the opposite field. He also had two walks and handled a Baltimore pitching staff that was constantly able to work out of trouble. “He’s dangerous in the box, no matter what,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of Basallo. “For him to take those hits the other way was huge. I told him after the game -- ‘That’s the standard you’ve set.’” With the Orioles down to their last strike in the ninth, they were a strike away from their sixth loss in seven games. But Basallo provided a major boost against Royals closer Lucas Erceg. “I’m just happy I was able to put the ball in play and make good things happen,” Basallo said.