Sweeney delivers series win

If you’re a Royals fan, you have to love what transpired at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday night. Allow us to set the scene: bottom of the ninth, tie game, two down with the winning run on second base. On the mound is one of the best young closers in the game, and up steps Mike Sweeney, in just his second game back after missing three months with another spinal problem.

Of course, you know the rest. Sweeney digs in and slams the first pitch he sees into left field, scoring Mark Grudzielanek for the game winner.

It was fantastic, and we can only imagine how emotional the moment was for Sweeney, who’s mired in the most trying season of his career. His teammates mobbed their captain at first base, and even though some managed to evade Sweeney’s head-blocking arm maneuver, he eventually emerged from the throng with a huge smile on his face (Editor’s note to Royals players: Don’t hit Sweeney in the head!).

On the night, Sweeney was 2-for-5 with a run scored and that big RBI, and the win guaranteed the Royals a series victory over the Red Sox. They’ll go for the sweep on Thursday, and although the pitching match-up – Runelvys Hernandez vs. Curt Schilling – doesn’t look too favorable on paper, hopefully the Royals can ride Wednesday’s emotional win to another upset.