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Omaha Storm Chasers

Royals Win in 14 Innings – 6 Straight W's

May 29, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA, NE - The Omaha Royals were playing the Express Friday night at Rosenblatt Stadium. Despite Round Rock's team name, the game was anything but a quickie as the two teams went into extra innings for the third time in five meetings this season, before the Royals prevailed in 14 innings, 6-5. Omaha's sixth consecutive win and second straight walk-off victory came on Jai Miller's two-out, RBI double 4-hours-12 minutes after the first pitch of a game witnessed by 6,757 fans.

In the 14th, Kila Ka'aihue led off by accepting his second walk of the game and his Pacific Coast League-leading 36th walk of the season. Roy Corcoran (1-8) retired the next two Omaha batters, before Miller drilled his 1-0 pitch off the left-center field wall and Ka'aihue easily beat the relay throw to the plate, scoring the winning run.

Up until that point, neither team had scored since the seventh inning, when the Royals rallied from a 5-2 deficit by scoring three unearned runs off Round Rock starter Andy Van Hekken with the help of three Express errors. Ka'aihue, who drove in three runs on the night, capped that rally and evened the score at 5-5 with a two-run single past a vacant shortstop spot as Round Rock shifted their infielders towards first base.

Alex Gordon, who had homered leading off the bottom of the third, nearly won the game with two away in the bottom of the 13th, hitting a drive off the top of the wall just to the left of the batters eye that wound up being a double. After Royals manager Mike Jirschele questioned the base umpires if the ball hadn't hit something beyond the wall and bounced back onto the field, Gordon stole third base. But Scott Thorman - who had the game-winning ninth inning single Thursday in the Royals' 3-2 win over Colorado Springs - grounded back to the mound to end the 13th.

Omaha's bullpen was tremendous Friday night, with four relievers - Federico Castaneda, Blaine Hardy, Josh Rupe and Greg Holland combining to allow just one unearned run on five hits over nine innings. Holland (1-2) pitched a perfect top of the 14th and got the win. None of the five Royals hurlers who pitched in the 14-inning affair issued a single walk, while they combined for nine strikeouts. Omaha batters tied a season high by fanning 14 times. On defense, the Royals set a season mark by turning four double plays.

Omaha (25-21) improved to 7-2 on the 12-game homestand. Round Rock (22-26) lost for just the second time in the last six games, but fell to 4-11 in games decided in the final at-bat and to 6-14 in one-run decisions. The Royals are 3-2 vs. Round Rock this year and have won two of the three extra-inning contests.

The Royals host Round Rock in game two of the four-game series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Anthony Lerew (3-2, 3.10) starts for Omaha, while the Express starter has not yet been named.

The Inflatamaniacs perform for the first time in the history of historic Rosenblatt Stadium! This group of inflatable mascots will entertain fans throughout the game. Also, it's Christmas in July in May! Fans bringing an unwrapped toy for Heartland Family Services of Papillion will get a buy-one-get-one-FREE ticket offer! Plus, the Papillion Fire Department will be on hand to help collect toys and money for the less fortunate. The night is presented by Power 106.9, WOWT and The Reader.

For tickets, call (402) 738-5100, or print tickets online at www.oroyals.com.

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