(courtesy oroyals.com)
For the second straight game the Royals couldn’t make a late 1-0 lead stand up, and the ninth inning was a nightmare for the Omaha pen.
Omaha scored its only run in the bottom of the third, complements of a leadoff solo home run by Mario Lisson, his second of the season for Omaha. Despite being given plenty of opportunities for more scoring, the Royals took themselves out of the inning with truly horrendous base running.
Irving Falu was gifted first base after he grounded to first, but Express pitcher Bud Norris dropped the throw from Mark Saccomanno. With the newly returned Tug Hulett batting, Falu was thrown out attempting to steal second base. Hulett then doubled but was subsequently picked off. J.R. House ended the frustrating inning by grounding out.
The bottom of the sixth saw the Royals run out of another chance to score, after Scott Thorman walked and Travis Metcalf singled to center, Brian Buchanan singled to center, but Scott Thorman was gunned down at home plate by Brian Bogusevic to end the inning.
Round Rock was able to tie the game in the top of the seventh on back-to-back doubles from Tommy Manzella and Bogusevic. It was the top of the ninth when the wheels truly fell off wagon for Omaha again.
Manzella hit an infield single to lead off the inning, and was sac bunted to second by Bogusevic. Royals’ reliever Greg Atencio then became wild, not only walking Saccomanno but throwing ball four past his catcher, allowing Manzella to reach third; and then walking Chris Johnson to load the bases.
For the second straight game, John Gall singled home the eventual winning run, but the Express wasn’t finished scoring this time. After Yordanny Ramirez forced Saccomanno at home, Lou Santangelo singled to center, scoring two, and putting the game out of reach.
Omaha managed a one out walk in the bottom of the ninth, but Mario Lisson ended the game with a routine 6-4-3 double play.
The loss wasted yet another great outing from Lenny DiNardo who pitched seven and two thirds innings, allowing just one run on five hits, and striking out a season high nine batters. DiNardo lowered his ERA to 3.02 on the season, and he’s allowed just two runs over his last 20.2 innings pitched, a 0.89 ERA over his last three starts.
Hulett was sent back to Omaha after Coco Crisp was reactivated from the bereavement list. Hulett was called up on May 23 when Mike Aviles was placed on the disabled list, and played in five games going 0-4 with a run scored.
Omaha fell to seven and a half games behind red-hot Nashville, while Round Rock moved to just a game behind first place Albuquerque in the PCL American South.
The Royals will attempt to avoid the four game sweep on Friday night as Matt Wright will take the mound against Yorman Bazardo.
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