Alex Verdugo hit a tiebreaking single in the seventh inning and saved at least one run with a sliding catch along the left-field line, boosting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 6-5 in their AL Division Series opener.

The final three-plus months of Alex Verdugo's first regular season with the New York Yankees were so frustrating that there were some doubts if he would be in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

The series opener included five lead changes — the most in postseason history — but the Yankees secured the final momentum swing from a surprising place.