Royals Fall To Mets 5-4 In Close Game

Kingsport, Tenn. - Despite taking an early three run lead in the second inning, the Royals couldn't hold off the Mets in a 5-4 loss at Hunter Wright Stadium.
Burlington got things rolling in the top of the first inning when Michael Massey brought home Maikel Garcia on a bunt single. Massey scored from third on a wild pitch before the inning was over to give the Royals an early 2-0 lead.
Rafael Romero added another run for the Royals in the top of the second, smacking an RBI single to pad the lead to 3-0.
However, the Mets weren't in the mood to give in. Tanner Murphy hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 3-1. Then, in the bottom of the third, Kingsport's Scott Ota hit an RBI single to make the Burlington lead just 3-2.
Come the bottom of the fifth, the Mets surged ahead 4-3 after Anthony Dirocie scored on a wild pitch and Ota ripped a ground-rule double.
Romero came back to deliver for Burlington in the top of the seventh, bringing in a run on a groundout to tie the game. Nonetheless, Kingsport delivered the dagger in the bottom of the eighth with a Cristopher Pujols RBI single to put them up 5-4.
Mets reliever Nate Peden earned the win and is now 1-3 on the 2019 season. Royals hurler Adrian Alcantara took the loss and falls to 2-3 on the year.
The two teams face off for the final time in the 2019 regular season on Sunday with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m.
Single-game tickets are on sale now. Call 336-222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com for more information.