It looked like the Royals were poised to get Gil Meche his 4 th win of the year, leading 5-1 with two outs in the 8 th inning. Then a walk and first baseman Mark Teahen dropped a throw from shortstop from Mike Aviles, and the next thing you know, four runs scored and the game is tied. In the 9 th , the Rangers score on a passed ball and win 6-5.
Meche pitched six innings, getting out of a jam in the sixth, and reliever Ron Mahay reeled off five straight outs. Mahay walked Michael Young and Josh Hamilton hit a ground ball to shortstop Mike Aviles, but Mark Teahen botched the throw and Hamilton was safe.
Brett Tomko relieved Mahay and gave up a two-run double to Milton Bradley and a RBI single to David Murphy. It was 5-4 and Yasuhiko Yabuta was called on to replace Tomko. Gerald Laird and Chris Shelton each singled and the game was tied.
Yabuta began the ninth by giving up a double to Ian Kinsler, who moved to third base on a groundout. Ramon Ramirez came in to strike out Hamilton and intentionally walk Milton Bradley. On Ramirez’ next batter, a sinking fastball got away from Buck and rolled a few feet away. Buck recovered quickly and flipped the ball to Ramirez at the plate, but Kinsler beat the tag.
Manager Trey Hillman was kicked out of the game in the eighth for arguing balls and strikes. He comments on Brett Tomko, plus hear from Teahen and Buck.
Download/listen to Royals postgame (:41 mp3)
