Johnny Cueto pitched a two-hitter, Eric Hosmer drove in two more runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the New York Mets 7-1 in Kansas City Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the World Series. Cueto struck out four, walked three, and reinforced why the Royals got the dreadlocked ace from Cincinnati in late July. The crowd at Kauffman Stadium fed off the excitable righty, standing and chanting his name. Just 19 hours after his sacrifice fly won a 14-inning thriller, Hosmer hit a tiebreaking two-run single off Jacob deGrom in a four-run fifth. He has 15 RBIs in 13 games this postseason.
Following the final out, several hundred fans remained in Kauffman Stadium, wanting one more look at the Royals. The next time they see Hosmer and his teammates may be in a parade. The team can capture their first title since 1985 when play resumes at New York's Citi Field this weekend, starting with Game 3 on Friday night. Mets rookie Noah Syndergaard will face Yordano Ventura in a matchup of young aces who throw 100mph heat. (More World Series stories.)