World Series GameThread: Kansas City Royals at New York Mets - Game 4

The Kansas City Royals took the first two games of the 111th World Series in Kauffman Stadium, but the New York Mets showed signs of life last night, with a 9-3 win behind Noah Syndergaard's strong performance that got them back into the Fall Classic. Now the National League champions try to tie things up in Game 4 with rookie lefty Steven Matz on the mound against veteran right-hander Chris Young.

Mets' skipper Terry Collins talked after their win in Game 3 about the importance of coming out on top in what was essentially a must-win game.

"When you get down 3-0 it's really difficult," Collins said. "I just thought it was a real big game for us. When we set up the rotation, the way Noah had been pitching, you kind of look at that Game 3 as a pivotal game, anyway.

"You're 1-1 or down two, and he delivered. He came through exactly how we expected him to. And we really believe Steven Matz will go out tomorrow night and do the same job."

Matz, 24, made his MLB debut earlier this season, but was limited to just six major league starts by injuries, putting up a 2.27 ERA, a 3.61 FIP, 10 walks (2.52 BB/9) and 34 Ks (8.58 K/9) in 35 ⅔ innings pitched, over which he held opposing hitters to a combined .246/.304/.346 line.

In two postseason starts so far, the left-hander has put up a 3.72 ERA and a .256/.326/.308 line against in 9 ⅔ IP.

On the mound for the Royals in Game 4 is Young, the 36-year-old in his 11th major league season who's pitching in the postseason this year for the first time since 2006.

In three appearances so far, one a start against Toronto, and two in relief, the righty has put up a 2.31 ERA and a .154/.250/.256 line against in 11 ⅔ IP.

In 34 appearances, 18 of them starts in the regular season, Young was (11-6) with a 3.06 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 43 walks (3.14 BB/9) and 83 Ks (6.06 K/9) in 123 ⅓ innings pitched over which he held opposing hitters to a .202/.270/.370 line.

After struggling with injuries throughout his career and working his way back, Young talked yesterday about finding himself on the mound in a World Series game.

"I don't get caught up in the individual significance," he said. "It's more about the team for me. To be part of a winning team and contribute to a win, whether that's pitching in relief or starting, not pitching at all, whatever this team needs to do. If I can help them win, that's what I'm here to do."

"It's about a championship, and that's the ultimate goal. It's the ultimate goal for everybody in that clubhouse for us.

"So I think each and every person in there would sacrifice whatever they need to do for the team. And so it's just -- I can't really describe the feeling of it. It's just there. And everybody knows what's the most important -- what the most important goal is and that's the team."

Game 4 of the 111th World Series starts at 8:00 PM tonight in Citi Field...