Maikel Garcia Shines in Royals‘ ALDS Game 2 Victory
Soon after the Kansas City Royals’ 4-2 win over the New York Yankees on Monday night, Maikel Garcia emphasized the importance of postseason moments in defining a baseball player. In his first postseason run with the Royals, Garcia has been making the most of every opportunity to leave his mark.
Garcia’s standout performance came as he became only the fourth player in Royals history to record four hits in a postseason game. His impressive display helped Kansas City even the American League Division Series at 1-1.
The third baseman’s recent success is a stark contrast to his struggles earlier this season, which resulted in reduced playing time and a drop down the batting order. However, Garcia has since experienced a breakout during the playoffs.
Manager Matt Quatraro praised Garcia for rising to the challenge and delivering an exceptional all-around performance. The 24-year-old infielder’s four-hit game makes him part of an exclusive group that includes Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, and Hall of Famer George Brett.
Reflecting on his achievement, Garcia expressed gratitude for being included on that list and credited teammate Salvador Perez for providing him with confidence throughout their playoff journey together.
Garcia’s resurgence comes after he batted just .161 in September and lost his starting role. However, Quatraro recognized his potential and trusted him enough to bat leadoff against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón in Game 2 of the ALDS.
Although Garcia struck out looking at a fastball during his first at-bat, he remained focused and went on to deliver four singles while driving in a crucial run during Kansas City’s four-run fourth inning rally.
Garcia has thrived at Yankee Stadium throughout his career with an impressive slash line of .362/.354/.404 along with two runs scored, two doubles, five RBIs, and one stolen base. He attributes part of his success to gaining experience from playing at Camden Yards during their Wild Card Series win against Baltimore.
Looking ahead to playing at Kauffman Stadium for Game 3 of the series against New York, Garcia is excited about showcasing his postseason play in front of home fans who have been described as creating an electric atmosphere.