Royals’ Class AAA team won a weird game by scoring six runs on just two singles
Through five innings of their game Friday night, the Omaha Storm Chasers trailed 3-0 and had failed to collect a hit.
But the Storm Chasers, who are the Royals’ Class AAA affiliate, picked up a pair of singles in the sixth inning and eventually rallied to defeat the Louisville Bats 6-4. Those two hits were all the Storm Chasers would get and the Bats didn’t commit an error.
So how does a team come up with six runs on just two hits? The Storm Chasers drew a whopping 14 walks and had a player hit by a pitch. It’s not the way a team normally draws up a victory but it worked out well for Omaha.
Matt Pidich relieved to start the sixth inning for the Bats, who are a Cincinnati Reds’ affiliate. Pidich loaded the bases by walking Ivan Castillo, Clay Dungan and Nick Pratto. After MJ Melendez struck out, a wild pitch gave Omaha its first run before its first hit.
After Emmanuel Rivera walked, the Bats brought in Eddy Demurias to pitch. The Storm Chasers’ Vinnie Pasquantino greeted Demurias with a single that broke up the no-hitter and scored two runs. Brewer Hicklen then struck out but Dairon Blanco singled and Rivera was fortunate to score the tying run.
Former Royals pitcher Kyle Zimmer took over in the seventh inning and he had a tough time, too. Castillo walked again, and one out later, Pratto walked. Castillo was caught stealing, but Zimmer then walked Melendez, Rivera and Pasquantino.
Zimmer was yanked in favor of Kyle Dowdy, who hit Hicklen with his first pitch and another run scored to make it 6-4. Blanco struck out, ending the inning but the Storm Chasers had a lead they didn’t relinquish.
Pasquantino walked three times, while Rivera, Melendez, Pratto and Dungan each drew three walks. Of the 165 pitches seven Louisville pitchers combined to throw, 81 were balls.
