(Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)
Josh Staumont, an important part of the KC Royals’ bullpen this season and last, entered Wednesday night’s loss to the Astros in Houston to protect a one-run lead. He didn’t complete the task.
Instead, Staumont immediately walked leadoff batter Carlos Correa. He retired Alex Bregman on a fly, but Kyle Tucker singled to left, moving Correa to second. And although he then struck out Jake Meyers, Manager Mike Matheny chose to pull Staumont for Scott Barlow; Barlow then gave up a game-tying single to Michael Brantley. The run was charged to Staumont, and Houston won 6-5 in 10 innings.