ALCS numbers didn't favor Jays

By Bob Elliott

KANSAS CITY _ The Kansas City Royals scored in seventh and the eighth while the Blue Jays scored a pair in the eighth inning and then threatened in ninth.

The Royals won 4-3 to edge the Jays, win the best-of-seven American League Championship Series and advance to the World Series for the second consecutive year.

Game 6 by the numbers:

One _ Hit in 11 at-bats by Jays catcher Russell Martin, who singled leading off the ninth against Wade Davis.

Two _ Outings in 32 regular season starts David Price allowed more than one homer. The St. Louis Cardinals (Matt Carpenter, Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta) and the Tampa Bay Rays (Curt Casali, two) tagged Price for more than one homer as a member of the Detroit Tigers. He allowed two homers in three post-season starts with the Jays: Rougned Odor and Robinson Chirinos of the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the ALDS, plus Mike Moustakas and Ben Zobrist in Game 6.

Three _ Players older than Jose Bautista, 35, who had more than one homer and knocked in three runs in a post season game. The oldest was Babe Ruth, 37, in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series when he homered twice against Charlie Root in a 7-5 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. 

Four _ Starters that the Jays have under contract for next season in Marcus Stroman, R.A. Dickey, Aaron Sanchez and Drew Hutchison. The Jays are expected to pick up the $12 million option on Dickey. Do they convert Robert Osuna to a starter? That’s only 484 innings and 35 wins for pitching coach Pete Walker to work with.

Seven _ Homers by Royals hitters (two each by Salvador Perez and Ben Zobrist, one apiece from Kendrys Morales, Mike Moustakas and Alex Rios) one more than the Jays (two from Jose Bautista, one each by Troy Tulowitzki, Ryan Goins, Josh Donaldson and Chris Colabello).

Nine _ More hits that the Royals had with men in scoring position (20-for-48, zero homers, 25 RBIs, .417) than the Jays (11-for-58, two homers, 19 RBIs, .190).

14 _ Of 17 K.C. hitters retired by Price after two solo homers put Toronto down 2-0.

15 _ Stops LaTroy Hawkins made before leaving the visiting clubhouse: 1) The umpire’s room for a final time, thanking them for their work over the years. Of the six umps only John Hirschbeck was in the game when Hawkins broke in with the 1995 Minnesota Twins; 2) Manager John Gibbons’ office, 3) Hugged Jays president Paul Beeston and the rest were players lockers on his way out. 

20% _ Chance the Jays had of winning with Dalton Pompey on third after two stolen bases and Kevin Pillar on second after a walk and a stolen base, with Donaldson at the plate.

20 _ Players scored from first on a single during the 2015 season. Lorenzo Cain did it twice in the post season including the winning run in the eighth.

21 _ Less strikeouts by K.C. hitters (35) compared to Toronto batters (56).

30 _ Years since the Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win their only World Series and on the 30th anniversary of Dick Howser’s Royals beating Whitey Herzog’s Cards, the New York Mets visit Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night to open the World Series.

32.150 _ Million US dollars in pitching coming off the books for 2016 in the free-agent departures (for now) of Mark Buehrle, Marco Estrada, Mark Lowe, Jeff Francis and Price. Buehrle’s future is uncertain. He might pitch next year, but he won’t be like Brett Farve or Roger Clemens, announce his retirement and then change his mind. He arrived in the spring of 2013 and had the clubhouse laughing within minutes. As he threw a duffle bag over his shoulder he yelled “See you in spring training.”

45 _ Per cent chance the Jays had of winning with Pompey on third and Pillar on second.

54 _ Days between Rogers Communications naming Mark Shapiro as their new president to replace Beeston. Still GM Alex Anthopoulos has still not been told his duties for next season. Is he back? Is he back under a reduced role similar to the Boston Red Sox situation with Ben Cherington when Dave Dombrowksi took over. Cherington left the day Dombrowksi took over. 

55 _ Per cent chance the Jays had of winning with Pompey on third and Kevin Pillar on first with pinch hitter Dioner Navarro at the plate.

60 _ Points the Royals outhit the Jays by, as K.C. hitters batted .294 (59-for-201) with nine doubles, one triple, seven homers, 35 RBIs and a .786 OPS) compared to Toronto who hit .234 (12 doubles, six homers, 26 RBIs and a .709 OPS).