The 2014 MLB Playoffs opened with a bang last night when the Kansas City Royals, in their first playoff berth in 28 years, rallied from a 7-3 deficit to defeat the Oakland Athletics 9-8 and advance to the American League Division Series. Several Baseball Factory alumni were in the Wild Card mix including Kansas City’s 12th-inning hero Eric Hosmer. The Royals will look to continue their postseason run against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.

Baseball Factory alumni represented both squads in the AL Wild Card matchup, including Oakland’s Josh Donaldson (Premium Video Program), who went 2-for-5 with a walk and a run scored. Fellow alumnus Stephen Vogt (Exclusive College Recruiting Program) went 0-for-3 but reached base on a walk. And although he took the loss, Danny Otero (Exclusive College Recruiting Program) had a great season and gave it his all in 1 & 1/3 innings pitched with one strikeout.

For the victorious Royals, former Factory standout Eric Hosmer (Premium Video Program, All-America Pre-Season Tournament) was the spark Kansas City’s offense needed to rally. He finished the game 3-for-4, with two runs scored, one RBI and two walks. His lead off triple in the 12th inning would become the tying run when fellow Factory alumnus Christian Colon (Baseball Factory’s Team One National) came through with an infield single. Colon went on steal second before scoring the winning run on a Perez walk-off hit.

Eric Hosmer at Baseball Factory’s All-America Pre-Season Tournament

If this Wild Card game is any indication of the 2014 MLB Playoffs, baseball fans are in for a wild ride!

See below for a complete list of Baseball Factory alumni in the Postseason:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Angels

Brennan Boesch

Tony Campana

CJ Cron

Josh Hamilton

Chris Iannetta

Kevin Jepsen

Cory Rasmus

Michael Roth

Huston Street

Joe Thatcher

Athletics

Josh Donaldson

Brandon Moss

Jed Lowrie

Eric Sogard

Sam Fuld

Stephen Vogt

Sean Doolittle

Dan Otero

Orioles

Steve Clevenger

Kevin Gausman

JJ Hardy

Steve Johnson

Steve Lombardozzi

Bud Norris

Ryan Webb

Delmon Young

Royals

Eric Hosmer

Christian Colon

Wade Davis

James Shields

Jason Vargas

Tigers

Nick Castellanos

Ian Kinsler

Ian Krol

Rick Porcello

Justin Verlander

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cardinals

AJ Pierzynski

Peter Bourjos

Dodgers

AJ Ellis

Zack Greinke

JP Howell

Jarret Martin

Chris Perez

Paco Rodriguez

Giants

Brandon Belt

Brandon Crawford

Nationals

Bryce Harper

Scott Hairston

Denard Span

Jayson Werth

Ryan Zimmerman

Pirates

Jeff Decker