'Locked in' Maikel has signature playoff moment with 4-hit game

NEW YORK -- Soon after the final out of the Royals’ 4-2 win over the Yankees on Monday night, Maikel Garcia said, “Moments in the postseason are what can define a baseball player.” And in his first postseason run with Kansas City, he has been taking every opportunity to leave his own mark.

The third baseman joined the history books as the fourth Royals player with a four-hit performance in the postseason, which helped Kansas City even the American League Division Series, 1-1, with the win at Yankee Stadium.

Not long ago, Garcia’s struggles cost him his starting role, which resulted in diminished playing time in the second half. And when he did play, he was dropped lower in the order. That has all changed in more recent times, with a breakout postseason.

“He rose to the challenge,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “The first at-bat was not what we would have hoped for, but after that he was locked in. He stole a base and played really good defensively. He had a great game tonight all around. It was something that we were hoping for him and for us. He came through.”

The 24-year-old Garcia is the first Royals player with a four-hit postseason performance since his cousin, Alcides Escobar, did so in the 2015 AL Championship Series. The list also includes Lorenzo Cain and Hall of Famer George Brett, who did it twice.

“It’s very special that I’m on that list,” Garcia said in Spanish. “Honestly, I didn’t even know. I just try to take every turn and try to get on base as much as I can, so that there is a possibility of an RBI. I haven’t really talked to Alcides about the postseason. I mostly talk to Salvy [catcher Salvador Perez], because he’s there with me, and Salvy gives me a lot of confidence.”

Garcia recorded his second-lowest monthly batting average of the season in September (.161). He had lost his starting position during the slump, but Quatraro knew there was potential, especially with Garcia’s value on the bases.

The manager made the decision to bat Garcia ninth against the Orioles in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series last Tuesday. Garcia did not waste the opportunity and scored the lone run in the 1-0 victory.

Once again, Quatraro showed more trust in Garcia, this time by making the Venezuela native the leadoff hitter in Game 2 of the ALDS against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón.

“A lot of things went into consideration there,” Quatraro said pregame. “Maikel has been swinging the bat better. We feel like he raises his level of competition a little bit in these atmospheres, and we're hopeful that he can get on and create some havoc on the bases.”

At the top of the order, Garcia knows his job is to be a spark for the rest of the lineup. The first inning didn't go the way the Royals would have liked against Rodón, who struck out the side. That included Garcia, who was called out looking at a 96 mph fastball.

“[I] went out to compete,” Garcia said. “The first at-bat doesn't define the rest of the game, and to be able to go out, compete and have good at-bats the rest of the game is good.”

Garcia’s persistence resulted in four singles, and he drove in the fourth run in the Royals’ four-run fourth-inning rally to secure the win.

Garcia is slashing .362/.354/.404 with two runs, two doubles, five RBIs and one stolen base in 12 career games at Yankee Stadium. He said the environment at Camden Yards during the Wild Card Series win helped to prepare his expectations for the Bronx.

“I think those games helped us with staying calm and knowing what the postseason was going to feel like here in New York,” Garcia said. “It’s trying not to do too much and just be yourself and just continue to do what you are doing in the regular season, because it’s the same game.”

Now Garcia will get the opportunity to show his postseason play in front of Royals fans at Kauffman Stadium after doing so on the road.

“I can't wait to get there, prove to fans that we're playing for them,” Garcia said. “And I've heard and I've already been told that it's a very electric environment. Can't wait to get there.”