PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Huber hits Royals' second walkoff homer versus Tucson

Published on August 11, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA - The Royals first baseman from "down under" went deep over the center field for the Royals' second game-winning home run in the four-game series with Tucson Thursday at Rosenblatt Stadium. And Justin Huber's first career Triple-A home run could not have come at a better time. The right-handed hitter from Australia not only lifted the Royals to a 4-3 victory in the seven-inning regularly scheduled contest. He also homered minutes before rain came as the crowd of 3,870 was leaving the ballpark.

Rain on Wednesday night had suspended the third game of the series in the top of the second inning with Tucson leading 3-1. The Sidewinders went on to win the conclusion of that game Thursday, taking a 5-2 decision and snapping the Royals' four-game winning streak.

Omaha won the its fourth consecutive series three-games-to-one, when Huber connected on an 0-1 delivery to greet Tucson right-hander Jason Bulger (3-5), who had only allowed two home runs this season in a league-leading 50 relief appearances.

It was the third walk-off home run of the season for the Royals. Calvin Pickering had smacked the second one of the season - a two-run shot in the bottom of the tenth inning on Monday night - to give Omaha a 10-8 triumph in the series opener.

Huber's heroics made a winner of Royals closer Santiago Ramirez (5-5), who had blown a save opportunity in the top of the seventh. Tucson's two-run rally included back-to-back doubles by Andy Green - whose first hit of the contest extended his streak of reaching base to 55 consecutive games. Dave Doster followed with a two-run double to tie the game and deny Ramirez his 12th save.

In the completion of the suspended game, Green collected four hits including a run-scoring single and RBI triple to lead Tucson to just its third win in its past 12 games and its first victory in its last seven visits to Rosenblatt, dating back to last season. Right-hander Edgar Gonzalez (9-4) pitched a gem, blanking the Royals on just two hits over seven innings. He did not walk a batter, while striking out six. Ryan Jensen (1-7) lost his fifth consecutive start since being sent down to Omaha by Kansas City.

Omaha (56-62), 6-2 on the home stand, hosts Iowa in the opener of a four-game series Friday at 7:05 p.m.: RH Bobby Brownlie (6-4, 4.46) vs. RH Danny Tamayo (6-7, 5.70). Air-time is 6:45 p.m. on Magic 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 11, 2005


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