Royals edge out Blue Jays to reach MLB World Series

The Kansas City Royals advanced to the World Series for a second straight year after some daring base-running helped them beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 in Game Six of the American League Championship Series.

Lorenzo Cain scored from first base on a single down the right field line by Eric Hosmer with no outs in the bottom of the eighth to snap a 3-3 tie and set up a ‘Fall Classic’ against National League champions the New York Mets.

The best-of-seven Major League Baseball championship series will begin on Tuesday in Kansas City.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar was named most valuable player of the series after batting .478 (11-for 23), scoring six runs, driving in five and playing sterling defence.

Kansas City will be trying for their first World Series title in 30 years, while the Mets seek their first Fall Classic crown in 29 years after most recently losing to their cross-town rival Yankees in the Subway Series of 2000.

“Last year at this time we were so excited to be here,” said Royals manager Ned Yost.

“This year, from the first day of spring training we expected to be here.”