Betancourt homers in 15th, Royals beat Cardinals

Down to the Royals' last strike in the ninth, Butler hit Motte's fastball 438 feet for a tying home run and Kansas City went on to beat St. Louis 5-3 in 15 innings Sunday.

The home run was Butler's 12th this season, but the first of his career as a pinch hitter.

"I would have thrown the exact same pitch," Matheny said. "He threw the exact same pitch by him twice. If he would have thrown something else, I probably would have been upset."

Butler, though, was ready for the fastball.

"He blew the pitch right before by me," Butler said. "I just figured I had to shorten up and put the barrel on it. That's what I did."

Motte said he was just trying to end the game.

"That's the way it is" Motte said. "One mistake in those situations (can cost you). Give credit to Butler. Sometimes you have to tip your cap."

Yuniesky Betancourt hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 15th to lift the Royals to the win.

"I don't even know if I could (describe it)," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "We won, that's all I can say."

Yost and Matheny combined to use all 43 position players in the 5-hour game.

Betancourt gave the Royals a 3-2 lead in the 14th on an RBI double, but Kansas City closer Jonathan Broxton (1-1) gave it back. Betancourt then came through with his next opportunities.

"That's destiny," Betancourt said of his two RBI chances through an interpreter. "It was my opportunity to put the team ahead twice. I was trying to do my best and it happened."

Jarrod Dyson began 15th inning with a bunt single off St. Louis reliever Eduardo Sanchez (0-1). Dyson was sacrificed to second and, after an out, Betancourt hit an 0-1 pitch into the Royals' bullpen.

Alex Gordon opened the 14th with his fifth walk, tying the club record he set on July 30, 2008, at Oakland.