Royals Can't Overcome Early Woes In 8-5 Loss To Twins

Elizabethton, Tenn. - The Royals fell behind early against the Twins and couldn't climb out of the early hole, dropping game one of the series 8-5 on Wednesday night.
Burlington took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Burle Dixon plated Michael Massey on a single. However, Elizabethton followed that up by taking a 5-1 edge in the bottom half of the inning, with four runs coming on a grand slam from Albee Weiss and one more scoring on a Max Smith RBI single.
The Twins added two more across the next two innings, taking a 7-1 lead on Weiss's second homer of the day in the second inning and a Yeremi De La Cruz double that allowed Will Holland to score in the third. Elizabethton's eighth and final run came in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Smith.
The Royals did add more runs throughout and gave themselves a chance to get back in the game. With one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, it was 8-5 when Burlington went to the plate down to its final three outs. The Royals put two runners in scorng position with one out, but the team couldn't capitalize and dropped its second straight game.
Twins starter Tyler Benninghoff earned the win after tossing five innings and allowing two runs on five hits, with Elizabethton reliever Dylan Thomas picking up his second save of the season. Royals starter Malcolm Van Buren took the loss after earning five runs on two hits in just 0.2 innings.
Burlington and Elizabethton go back at it in game two of the series tomorrow at Joe O'Brien Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Single-game tickets are on sale now. Call 336-222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com for more information.
WP - Tyler Benninghoff (1-1)
LP - Malcolm Van Buren (0-2)
SV - Dylan Thomas (2)
Highlights:
Weiss - 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Dixon - 3-5, 2B, 3 RBI