Late homer topples 51s in pitching duel

Justin Huber hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning Friday night to lift the Omaha Royals to a 2-0 victory over the 51s in a Pacific Coast League game at in Omaha, Neb.

Ryan Shealy led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, one of three hits by the Royals (57-57) in the game. After Shealy was bunted to second, Huber hit his 12th homer of the season.

Miguel Pinango (7-6) was the losing pitcher despite limiting the Royals to three hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Billy Buckner (8-6) won by holding Las Vegas (53-60) to six hits and one walk in 8 1/3 innings. He fanned four.

The 51s loaded the bases with three consecutive singles in the sixth. But Royals center fielder Mitch Maier caught a fly ball and threw home to cut down Luis Maza, who tried to score from third.

Wilkin Ruan went 3-for-3 for Las Vegas, which also didn't capitalize on three straight walks in the ninth.

The teams cap their four-game series today with a game starting at 4:05 p.m. in Omaha.