PCL: Royals rally for victory

Story line: Omaha couldn't generate much offense through the first eight innings, and the game turned into a pitchers duel between Royals starter Lenny DiNardo and New Orleans lefty Willie Collazo. Omaha had just three hits heading into the ninth until Brian Buchanan's one-out solo home run off Chris Mobley (2-1) tied the game at 1-1 to send it to extra innings. The Royals won it 3-1 in the 10th on sacrifice flies by Tommy Murphy and Scott Thorman. The victory was Omaha's first in 12 extra-innings games this season. After allowing a run in the first, Dinardo and relievers Doug Waechter and Carlos Roas (1-6) pitched nine shutout innings.

Stars of the game: Buchanan hit his fifth home run of the season, while DiNardo, Waechter and Rosa combined on a three-hitter with 13 strikeouts in Omaha's ninth comeback win of the year.

Noteworthy: Heading into Wednesday's Class AAA All-Star game, Sunday's rally gives Omaha two straight comeback wins — and maybe some confidence. The Royals haven't been the beneficiaries of late-inning rallies or close games very often in the first half of the season. The Royals are only 4-19 in games decided in the last at bat and 7-22 in one-run decisions.

Up next: Following the All-Star break, Omaha begins a four-game homestand Thurday at Rosenblatt Stadium against Memphis.

• Box Score