Tug Hulett had a grand slam and a career-high six RBIs as Omaha pounded Colorado Springs 11-5 on Sunday at Security Service Field.

Hulett lost another RBI on an unusual play in the ninth inning, but it doesn’t compare with the loss he suffered 16 years ago. Hulett was 10, the oldest of major leaguer Tim Hulett’s four sons.

The brothers were crossing the street in front of their house in Baltimore when the youngest, 6-year-old Sam, was hit and killed by a passing car.

“I was the oldest and felt responsible for what happened,” Hulett said. “It took me a few years to get over it.”

Four years later, on the anniversary of Sam’s death, Hulett again apologized to his mother, who prayed with her son. That was a calming breakthrough for Hulett, who now finds opportunities to speak to groups who have suffered similar losses.

“I tell them how we dealt with Sam’s death and how we got through it,” Hulett said. “I try to help them do the same.”

As for Sam, Hulett smiled and said, “He’s in heaven and I have a tour guide now when I get there.”

Hulett, who was all-Southeastern Conference at Auburn, leads Omaha with 28 RBIs and is hitting .307. He had two singles following his second-inning home run and a chance for a second grand slam in the ninth, but his apparent sacrifice fly to left-center turned into a double play when the runner on first base – thinking the ball might fall in for extra bases – rounded second and passed the runner in front of him.

“That happens about once every three years,” said Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells, who played against Hulett’s dad.

Tim Hulett’s 12-year career included stints with the Cardinals, White Sox and Orioles, but it’s the opening of Baltimore’s Camden Yards that his namesake remembers best.

“My dad retired when I was 13 so I was old enough to learn from some great players like Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Mussina,” Hulett said. “I thought that was normal. All my friends were in the same situation I was and it was great.”

Omaha, which had lost six of its previous seven games, also got solo homers from former Sky Sox player Brian Buchanan and Kila Ka’aihue as Alan Johnson (4-1) suffered his first loss.

The Sky Sox lost only their third game in 13 decisions against a left-handed starter as Royals’ southpaw Lenny DiNardo (3-1) shut them out for the first five innings.

NotesFormer Sky Sox slugger Ryan Shealy has missed Omaha’s past 10 games because of a swollen knee. In 25 games, Shealy is hitting .345 with no homers and 12 RBIs. … Sky Sox outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, who missed the past three games because of a strained hamstring, should play tonight. He’s hitting .339, has 40 RBIs and leads the league in triples (six).

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