KANSAS CITY -- A six-run lead and an apparent cruise-control victory for the Royals on Sunday suddenly went awry when a rare error by shortstop
Merrifield's grounder did have some serious topspin on it before hitting a divot.\n\n\"Especially later during a day game, the sun is beating down all day, the ground gets pretty hard,\" Merrifield said. \"Shout out to \\[head groundskeeper\\] Trevor \\[Vance\\] for putting a clog of dirt there.\"\n\nIt was Merrifield's fourth career walk-off hit.\n\nRoyals manager Ned Yost noted the key plate appearance came from Hamilton, who drew a walk off Jonathan Holder.\n\n\"A key walk there and he didn't get too anxious,\" Yost said. \"Took a 3-1 strike as we had the take sign. Didn't get overanxious on the 3-2. And then he was in go mode after that.\"
\n\nThe Royals had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth, when they loaded the bases with two outs. But
But the Royals' 10th-inning rally saved what would have been an unsightly defeat.\n\n\"Ian has been solid for us all year,\" Merrifield said. \"For that to happen ... earlier in the year, we gave stuff up and found a way to lose. So it was nice to win one.\"\n\nMeanwhile, there apparently is something about Yankees rising star right-hander
\n\n\"There's a couple of guys that the league has pounded on and we can't do anything off them,\" Yost said. \"Then we get to German, who is one of the best pitchers in the league.\"\n\nLeft-hander
The Royals really flexed their muscles in the fifth. After a checked-swing double by Mondesi,
\n\nA minute later,