BALTIMORE -- With Game 1 of the American League Championship Series threatening to get away from the Orioles on Friday, the O's delivered a monster fifth inning to cut a four-run hole into a one-run deficit.
James Shields returned to the mound for a fifth frame with the top of the Orioles' order waiting. It would be his third time through the Baltimore lineup.
Things started the way the Orioles needed. Nick Markakis laced a single to left. Alejandro De Aza followed with one to right. Royals manager Ned Yost left his ace in the game to handle things himself, and the starting pitcher got Adam Jones to ground into a fielder's choice for the first out.
Still, Nelson Cruz stepped to the plate with a chance to deliver -- and the Orioles slugger did. The outfielder launched a double to the left-field wall, scoring Markakis. Cruz's career slugging percentage in the postseason jumped to .716 -- a number that trails only Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among hitters with at least 100 plate appearances.
After a Steve Pearce walk, Yost trekked to the mound, but still opted to let his starter dance his way out of the jam.
Shields struck out J.J. Hardy and allowed a two-run single to the left-handed-hitting Ryan Flaherty as lefty reliever Brandon Finnegan threw in the bullpen. A 5-1 lead shrunk to 5-4 for Kansas City before Shields got Nick Hundley to line out sharply to second, ending the frame.
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