Royals came within an eyelash of winning Wednesday but the umpire called ball 4

You’ve heard athletes and coaches in all sports say outcomes are so close that it’s a game of inches, but the Royals might have lost Wednesday by an increment even smaller than that.

The Royals lost 8-6 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, but fans thought for a split second that KC had secured a 4-3 victory.

In the top of the ninth inning, Arizona had a runner on first with one out. Geraldo Perdomo worked the count against Royals closer James McArthur to 3-2. The runner on first took off as McArthur fired the pivotal pitch that looked like strike three.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez threw a frozen rope that appeared to be in time to get the runner, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Instead of a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play to end the game, Perdomo drew a walk.

Take a look.

Things fell apart for McArthur after that as he yielded a double, a single and a three-run home run.

Royals fans were not happy, but ... WHB (810 AM) broadcaster Jack Johnson noted the exit velocity of balls put in play by Arizona in the ninth inning were suboptimal for any pitcher.

Nevertheless, fans were displeased with the umpire who called ball four. Here is what some of them were saying.

Other fans were saying the Royals should replace McArthur as the team’s closer. This is a bit of that chatter.