NEW YORK • Sparked by a sensational rally in a comeback-filled play-off run, the Kansas City Royals captured their first World Series title in 30 years on Sunday by defeating the New York Mets 7-2 in 12 innings.

The Royals took Major League Baseball's best-of-seven championship final 4-1 after scoring twice in the ninth inning to equalise at 2-2 and breaking open the contest with five runs in the final inning.

"We never quit. We never put our heads down," said Royals catcher Salvador Perez, the World Series Most Valuable Player.

"We never think, 'OK, the game is over.' No. We always compete to the last out. And that's what we did tonight."

The Royals seized their first crown since 1985 with a record eighth come-from-behind play-off victory, including all four of their World Series triumphs.

Seven of them were multi-run rallies to win.

"Our guys, you never count them out," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "They are just a team that never quit, never panic.

"They just find ways to win."

Lorenzo Cain scored the Royals' first run in the crucial ninth inning.

He then smacked a three-run double in the 12th that sealed New York's fate, ending the Mets' dream of their first World Series title since 1986.

"We're real disappointed," Mets manager Terry Collins said.

"I told the guys this is the time to enjoy it and be proud of your accomplishment, but when you get beat at the end of the season, it's not fun."

Inspired by a seven-game loss to San Francisco in last year's World Series, the Royals became the first team since the 1989 Oakland Athletics to win the World Series a year after losing it.

They are also the first team since the 1961 Yankees to lose in a seventh game and win the title the next year.

"I already forget about last year," Perez said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE