NEW YORK — The most anticipated first pitch in the history of Citi Field instantly became one of the most unforgettable first pitches in the history of Citi Field, and it kicked off one of the most exciting first innings in Citi Field history.
Royals leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar swings at the first pitch of every game. Everybody knows that, but for some reason, opposing pitchers have continued to give him pitches he can drive, and he’s taken full advantage. Remember the inside-the-park homer in Game 1?
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Well, Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard wasn’t going to play Escobar’s game. His first offering came in at 98 mph, a little bit in and a lot bit up. Escobar hit the deck and the pitch sailed to the backstop and the crowd at Citi Field went crazy.
It wasn't completely unexpected. Syndergaard was asked about the first pitch during the off day media press conference. "It's something else being able to watch Escobar walk up there and swing at the first pitch almost every single game," he said. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I'll be able to break out tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it."
The Royals went a bit crazy, too, but in another way. Fox TV cameras caught Mike Moustakas yelling at Syndergaard from the dugout, and he was saying a few pointed words that the FCC would not approve. Syndergaard’s second pitch was a nasty breaking ball for a strike on the outside corner, and after a foul straight back, he struck out Escobar.
The crowd roared its approval.
The Royals continued to do what they do, though. Ben Zobrist followed that Escobar strikeout with a double to the base of the wall in center field, and Lorenzo Cain followed with an infield single that put Zobrist on third.
Zobrist scored on an odd-looking failed double play attempt. Eric Hosmer hit a chopper that first baseman Lucas Duda snagged. He threw to second base for the forceout, but was out of position for the return throw, and Syndergaard wasn’t in a good spot, either, coming over from the mound. The pitcher grabbed Wilmer Flores’ return throw and tried a sweep tag, but only managed to knock Duda over on the play.
Hosmer was safe easily, and Zobrist scored to give KC the 1-0 lead.
The Mets needed just two batters to grab the lead in the bottom half of the inning, though. Curtis Granderson reached on an infield single, and longtime New York star David Wright gave the capacity crowd at Citi Field what it wanted to see.
He pulverized a 96 mph fastball from Yordano Ventura deep over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer that put New York ahead, 2-1.
So, basically, World Series baseball at Citi Field has been pretty darn exciting.
