Royals Drop 2nd Straight by a Run to Fall 3.5 GB Iowa

OMAHA, NE - For a second straight game, the Iowa Cubs built up a big lead on Omaha by the middle innings Friday night, only to see the Royals nearly pull out a victory. But, the Royals fell just short in a 9-8 loss in front of 8,681 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium to drop 3.5 games behind the Cubs for first place in the Pacific Coast League American North division. In Memphis the second-place Redbirds shutout Round Rock 9-0 to remain a game-and-a-half back.

Iowa led 8-1 after the top of the sixth and still led 9-3 going to the bottom of the eighth. In that frame, the Royals rallied for three runs - capped by a two-run homer from Marc Maddox - to make it 9-6. It was the second home run of the season for Omaha's second baseman and gave him his third RBI of the game, as he had doubled home a run in the sixth.

In the bottom of the ninth, Irving Falu keyed the Royals rally by leading off with a pinch-hit double down the right field line. Jarrod Dyson followed by looping a single to left-center and Cubs left fielder Ty Wright made a high throw over second base allowing Falu to score and Dyson to advance to move into scoring position.

Iowa reliever Hung Wen-Chen was lifted in favor of right-hander Jeff Gray. He was greeted by David Lough's sharp grounder off the glove of Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair that was initially scored as an error, but later changed to an RBI single. Either way, it shrunk Iowa's lead to a single run and had the crowd making noise.

Mike Moustakas followed by making a bid for his ninth home run with Omaha and 30th of the season. But, his fly ball to deep right was caught at the foot of the warning track, denying the Royals their second walk-off home run in the first three games of the series. With the speedy Lough at first and one out, Ed Lucas grounded into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play, giving Gray his first save in three chances this year.

Iowa (76-57) survived Thursday night by a score of 7-6, seeing Omaha (73-61) plate the game's final five runs, but stifling the Royals after the home team had tallied two runs in the ninth and had the bases full with one out.

Game four of the five-game series, led by Iowa 2-1, is Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Kansas City right-hander Luke Hochevar will make his first rehab assignment start for Omaha, coming back from a strained right elbow, facing Cubs righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx (5-2, 3.98).

It's Public Service Appreciation Night featuring post-game fireworks, presented by PayPal. Metro-area public service agencies such as police and fire departments will take part in a pre-game demonstration in front of the ballpark from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Plus, it's the first of five straight days featuring a Garage Sale along the first base concourse. The night is also presented by Q 98.5, WOWT and The Reader.

For tickets, call (402) 738-5100, or print tickets online at www.oroyals.com.