VIDEO: Gordon's clutch HR sends opener to extra innings

Alex Gordon finally got his revenge, one year later.

The Kansas City Royals outfielder extended Tuesday's wild Game 1 of the World Series with a dramatic game-tying homer off Jeurys Familia in the ninth inning.

With the Royals down to their final two outs and trailing 4-3, Gordon drove Familia's 1-1 fastball over the wall in center to hand the New York Mets closer his first blown save since July 30. Gordon's the first player to hit a game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth inning of a World Series game since 2001.

It was also the first home run allowed by the hard-throwing right-hander since Freddie Freeman took him deep Sept. 23.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

For Gordon, the timely hit is especially sweet. The longtime Royals outfielder was stranded on third base, 90 feet away from scoring the tying run, in Game 7 of last year's World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

Gordon's big hit also helped vindicate Eric Hosmer, who an inning earlier botched a play at first base and allowed the Mets to take a 4-3 lead.

The eventful two innings occurred under the backdrop of a most unusual opening game, which included a leadoff inside-the-park homer, a delay due to broadcast difficulties, and reports of Royals starter Edinson Volquez's father dying before the game.