Royals game notes
Published on April 23, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
APRIL 23, 2006, 1:35 p.m. : OMAHA ROYALS (10-7) vs. Memphis Redbirds (4-13)
HOME: 6-3 (35-37 in '05) AWAY: 4-4 (37-35 in '05) vs. Memphis: 4-1 (4-12 in '05)
TODAY: The Royals host the Memphis Redbirds in a 1:35 p.m. game at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's game 2 of a 4-game series and 8-game homestand. It's Family Fun Day, presented by KPTM-Fox 42, featuring the Coca-Cola $30 Family Pack (4 tickets, 4 Cokes & 4 popcorns). All kids are invited to run the bases after the game. Air-time is 1:15 p.m. on Magic 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: The Royals halted a 3-game losing streak, hammering the Redbirds 11-5 in the series opener. Bobby Keppel (2-1) beat Memphis for the 2nd time in 5 days, giving up just 4 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) in 8.0 innings. Kerry Robinson and Chad Allen both had 4 hits, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Andres Blanco added 2 hits, 2 RBI and scored twice. Aaron Guiel blasted an 8th inning grand slam to cap Omaha's scoring.
ROYALS REPORT: Guiel's grand slam broke his 0-for-15 slide at the plate. It was the 1st grand slam for a Royals batter since Matt Diaz hit one last August 25 vs. Oklahoma in a 13-11 loss. The grand slam also made a $10,000 winner of Omahan Dawn Katafiasz, who was the first lucky Hurl the Pearl contestant ever to collect the prize, courtesy of the Midwest Ford Dealers and McDonald's. *** Keppel lowered his ERA from 4.67 to 3.55 after last night's gem. In his 2 starts vs. Memphis, the 23-year old right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA. *** Robinson collected his 2nd 4-hit game of the season last night. The Royals leadoff batter has hit in 5 straight games, going 10-for-23 (.435) with 4 RBI and 4 runs scored. The hit streak has upped his average from .289 to .338. *** Blanco's 2-run single with 2 outs in the 2nd inning keyed a 4-run outburst. Despite batting 9th in the order, the Royals shortstop has 13 RBI, which is tied with Guiel for the club lead. *** Paul Phillips, who went 2-for-5 Friday night, is riding a season-high 6-game hitting streak. The Royals catcher is hitting .375 (9-24) and has scored 6 runs during the streak. *** After going 0-for-3 in his Royals debut on April 8, Ricky Bell has hit in 5 straight games. He's hitting .421 (8-19) during the streak and leads the team with a .364 average, 2 points ahead of Blanco. *** Mike Aviles went 0-for-4 last night, halting his hit string at 5 games (.400, 8-20). The Royals third baseman was robbed of a potential extra-base hit in the 8th inning on a running catch by John Gall in deep right-center field.
STARTERS: LH Randy Leek (1-1, 3.66) vs. LH J.P. Howell (3-0, 2.65) Howell makes his 4th start of the season. The lefty, who turns 23 years old on Tuesday, won his 3rd consecutive start last Tuesday - a 9-4 win at Nashville (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K). In 2005, Howell raced through 3 levels of the minors and got his first taste of the big leagues in just his 2nd professional season. He began the season with Class-A High Desert, making eight starts before jumping to Double-A Wichita - where he made just three starts before being promoted to Omaha. In 7 starts at Triple-A, Howell went 3-1 and posted a 4.06 ERA. In his 18 minor league starts combined, he was 8-2 with a 2.83 ERA. Howell had his contract purchased by KC on June 11 and wound up making 15 starts for KC, going 3-5 with a 6.19 ERA. He enjoyed the 2nd-quickest rise through the Royals organization in club history, as only Bo Jackson had a quicker trip to the Majors. Howell was KC's sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds (31st overall) in the 2004 draft out of the University of Texas. In 2004 with Texas, he was the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and a finalist for the Roger Clemens Award, given annually to the top college pitcher.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Mon., 7:05: RH Dennis Tankersley (0-2, 7.71) vs. RH Adam Bernero (0-0, 4.82)
Tue., 11:05: RH Brad Voyles (1-0, 1.50) vs. RH Brian Bass (0-2, 6.92)
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 23, 2006
- Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Young, Leone lead Beavers to victory - Portland Beavers
- Solid bullpen work gives Tucson third straight victory, 4-3 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Express tie franchise record in blasting I-Cubs - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks hang on in wild matinee - Oklahoma City Comets
- Shanks sends 'Topes to sixth straight win, 5-4 over Z's - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Zephyrs tipped by 'Topes, 5-4 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Manny Alexander transferred to Portland, Ricky Gutierrez released - Portland Beavers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds Win Streak Ends At Four With 6-5 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Beavers miss chances in 4-2 loss to Bees - Portland Beavers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
