Hart's homer in ninth breaks hearts of Royals fans
Published on May 9, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â Nashville right fielder Corey Hart homered for the second straight game â a solo shot in the top of the ninth that broke a 1-1 tie â and the Sounds went on to defeat the Omaha Royals 3-1 before 4,181 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Hart, who had not gone deep in his first 26 games this season, lofted Shawn Camp's 3-1 pitch towards right field with one out in the ninth. With the aid of a 19-mile-an-hour tail wind, the ball landed in the first row of bleachers just over the wall, putting Nashville ahead 2-1.
Later in the inning, the Sounds added an unearned and unneeded insurance run. Trent Durrington, who had singled and taken second on a passed ball, scored all the way from second on a slowly hit ground out to Justin Gemoll, who was playing second base for the Royals instead of his normal spot at third. Camp (0-1) suffered the loss in his first decision with Omaha since being sent down by Kansas City.
Durrington had given Nashville a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning with a one-out double to deep right that scored Brad Nelson. It was the only run and the third and final hit allowed by Omaha starter Ryan Jensen, who logged his longest outing of the season by working seven solid innings, walking two and striking out three.
Nashville starter Ben Hendrickson took the 1-0 lead and a two-hitter into the bottom of the sixth. He retired the leadoff batter, Luis Ugueto, on a fly out to left to record his eighth consecutive out. But, the next batter, Aaron Guiel, ripped a sinking liner towards right-center. Sounds center fielder Dave Krynzel tried to make a diving grab, but the ball eluded his grasp and rolled to the wall, giving Guiel his third triple of the season. With the infield pulled in, Gemoll smashed a ground ball single in between shortstop Chris Barnwell and second base, scoring Guiel with the tying run.
Justin Lehr (3-1) got the win in relief, tossing two scoreless innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Chad Paronto gave up a leadoff bunt single to Matt Diaz, who advanced to second when the third baseman Durrington made a wild throw to first. Paronto regrouped to strike out Calvin Pickering -- who's now 1-for-21 with 10 strikeouts since coming down from Kansas City â and retired Chris Truby and Chad Santos on a pair of weak grounders to first baseman Prince Fielder. Paronto earned his second save of the season, coming in the past two games to help Nashville earn a split of the four-game set.
Omaha (15-17) finished with a 3-5 mark on the home stand. The Royals open an eight-game road trip with the first of four Tuesday night at Salt Lake: LH Chris George (2-1, 6.46) vs. LH Clayton Andrews (0-0, 5.33). Air time is 7:10 p.m. on Magic 1490 and www.Oroyals.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2005
- Community heroes to be recognized during Bank of America Day at Tucson Electric Park on July 3rd - Tucson Sidewinders
- Isotopes Lose Slugfest to Z's, 14-10 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Action-packed homestand includes fireworks, BirdZerk! and all-around family fun - Fresno Grizzlies
- Beavers postponed on Monday due to rain - Portland Beavers
- Hart's homer in ninth breaks hearts of Royals fans - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds Open Homestand At Greer On Tuesday - Nashville Sounds
- 9th-Inning Hart Blast Propels Sounds Past Omaha - Nashville Sounds
- Stauffer promoted to San Diego - Portland Beavers
- Salute To Duck Tape Night highlights middle portion of 'Topes 12-pack - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Portland's Knott unties knot with eighth-inning blast - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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