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2011 World Series Game 7 - Texas Rangers v St Louis Cardinals

Source: Jamie Squire / Getty

The Kansas City Royals defeated the New York Mets 7-2 to win the World Series early Monday. This is the team’s first World Series title since 1985.

Game 5 was another example of “death by Royals” for the Mets, and this one was by far the most painful for the team and their fans.

With their “Dark Knight” Matt Harvey working on an absolute gem through eight innings and a two-run lead, it appeared New York was on its way to forcing a Game 6. But, as it was in Games 1 and 4, things fell apart in the late innings.

Manager Terry Collins decided to let Matt Harvey start the ninth inning after the pitcher, despite having thrown well over 100 pitches, was persistent on staying in.

That decision ended up backfiring as Harvey walked Lorenzo Cain to leadoff. After Cain stole second, Eric Hosmer doubled him in. Collins then replaced Harvey for Jeurys Familia.

It could be argued that Collins went to his closer one batter too late for the second straight night.

Hosmer was eventually able to score on a ground ball by Salvador Perez. Even with the drawn in infield, the Royals’ first baseman decided to make a mad dash for home plate as soon as David Wright made his throw to first base. First baseman Lucas Duda’s throw to the plate was off-line, and the crowd’s energy at Citi Field deflated as they saw another late-inning lead slip away.

2011 World Series Game 7 - Texas Rangers v St Louis Cardinals

Source: Rob Carr / Getty

The Royals ended up scoring five runs in the 12th to shut the door on the 2015 MLB season.

Catcher Salvador Perez was awarded the World Series MVP after the game.

Although the Mets will be kicking themselves for lost opportunities, the Royals were just too resilient and too pesky at the plate and on the basepaths for New York when it came down to crunch time.

While Mets players and their fans will be thinking about what could have been, the Royals and their fans will be celebrating the team’s first World Series title in 30 years.

source:  huffingtonpost.com