"As it turned out, Hillman decided he did need Butler off the bench. Butler pinch hit for left-handed Mike Jacobs in the eighth against Jose Veras and drew a walk that eventually scored the tying run (with pinch runner Tony Pena Jr.).

Etc.

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, who spent six seasons with the Royals, offered his opinion on the "new" Kauffman Stadium.

"This stadium to me was always the best, even before the renovations," Damon said Saturday night. "Now, it's up there. I definitely have to be biased and say the new Yankee Stadium is the best out there, but I'd take Kansas City No. 2, hands down.

"This place was a very great place to play. They updated it, and I'm sure they're not going to need to do anything else for another maybe 35 more years.""