Royals rally to force Game 5 against Astros in division series

Almost out of time and out of the playoffs, the Kansas City Royals realized they needed more than a big home run.

They needed a lot of hits — a maybe a little help too.

The defending American League champions saved their season Monday. They took advantage when Astros shortstop Carlos Correa couldn’t handle a deflected grounder that might have been a double-play ball, rallying for five runs in the eighth inning to beat Houston, 9-6, forcing their playoff series to a decisive Game 5.

“We always feel that we’re still in games, and we still have a chance,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “That’s the mentality for this whole entire team. It’s never quit, and the character we showed today. That’s what a championship ballclub does.”

Correa homered twice, doubled, singled and drove in four runs in Game 4 of the AL division series. Houston took a 6-2 lead into the eighth, but a tough error charged to the 21-year-old rookie keyed the Royals’ comeback to even the matchup at two games apiece.

“I missed it. That’s what happened,” Correa said. “I wish I was perfect. I wish I could do everything perfect, but I’m not. I’m human.”

Game 5 will be back in Kansas City on Wednesday night. Johnny Cueto is set to start for the Royals against Collin McHugh.

“Everyone that watched that game, everybody that was a part of that game knows how difficult it is to feel like that game was closing in our favor and then have it not go our way,” Astros Manager A.J. Hinch said.

“But it’s big-boy sport. We’ll adjust, and we will be ready to play,” he said.

Kansas City opened the eighth with five straight singles off relievers Will Harris and Tony Sipp, with RBI hits by Lorenzo Cain and Hosmer making it 6-4 and leaving the bases loaded with no outs.

Kendrys Morales followed with a hard, one-bouncer off Sipp’s glove. The ball took two more hops and got past the top of Correa’s mitt, rolling into center field as two runs scored to tie it at 6.

Alex Gordon’s RBI groundout off Luke Gregerson later in the inning put Kansas City ahead. Hosmer launched a long, two-run homer in the ninth for insurance.

It was the second time in franchise history that Kansas City had rallied from a four-run deficit after seven innings to win a postseason game. Last year, the Royals trailed Oakland, 7-3, in the eighth of their AL wild-card game before eventually winning in the 12th.