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!