ESPN: Yankees favorite outfielder gets brutally honest about the contentious call against the Royals.

In Game 1 of their ALDS series, the New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals 6-5 after a fierce battle. Alex Verdugo drove in Jazz Chisholm Jr. to give the Yankees a one-run lead. Chisholm had benefited a few plays earlier from a contentious call that ultimately placed him in position to score off Verdugo’s base hit.

Before Anthony Volpe could bat, Chisholm stole second base in the bottom of the seventh inning after leading off with a single. Chisholm was nearly tagged by Michael Massey, and although the play was reviewed, he was eventually ruled safe. A few moments later, he scored on Verdugo’s huge hit. Looking back at the action, Chisholm proclaimed with assurance that he knew he was safe and that the umpires had made the correct decision.

“I knew that I was inside.” Actually, that’s what we were discussing at second base. I think I put down a good tag, Massey said. You did put down a good tag, I said. That does not imply my departure. — ESPN’s Jazz Chisholm Jr.

The Yankees won the game because to a combination from Verdugo and Chisholm after Kansas City and New York traded blows the entire way. It’s reasonable to argue that the gifted outfielder saved the Yankees in Game 1 since he wouldn’t have scored the game-winning run if not for his massive stolen base.

Although the series is still early, a 1-0 lead against KC might prove to be the difference between winning the series and sending the team home before its time. Despite the controversy surrounding the decision on Chisholm’s stolen base, he is aware that he was safe, and New York will be counting on him to keep producing huge plays as they advance through the postseason.

At ClutchPoints, Owen Crisafulli is a Senior Editor and NFL Lead who also covers the NBA and MLB. Nichols College awarded him a master’s degree in business administration lately. He formerly held bylines at FanSided and the Basketball Network, ran his own website, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport management.