NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds

Not since '91: Royals shutout twice in a row

Published on July 21, 2004 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


July 20th and 21st, 2004. Two days that will live in infamy in Omaha Royals history. For the first time in nearly 13 years, the Omaha Royals have been shutout in back-to-back games. Wednesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium, former Creighton star Alan Benes combined with two Memphis relievers on a four-hitter, as the Royals were blanked 3-0 in front of 2,713 fans. The Royals had not been shutout in consecutive games since August 10-11, 1991, losing 3-0 and 6-0 at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

Benes (4-8) came into the contest with a 5.71 ERA this season, and he had given up five runs in five-and-a-third innings during a 7-5 loss here on June 11th. However, historically, Benes had pitched very well against the Royals. The 32-year old right-hander had a 3.12 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts) facing Omaha entering Wednesday's game. In fact, Thursday will mark the second anniversary of the last combined one-hitter thrown at the Royals by an opposing team. Benes started that gem for Iowa in 2002, followed to the mound by three relievers in the Cubs 7-1 victory at Rosenblatt Stadium.

On Wednesday, Benes allowed just three hits over seven innings, walking four Royals and fanning five. Omaha, which was missing three big bats from its lineup in Calvin Pickering (injured finger), Raul Casanova (suspension) and Adrian Brown (leg cramps), did have some hard-hit outs off Benes. Wilton Guerrero was robbed of an extra-base hit – if not a possible inside the park homer – leading off the bottom of the fourth when Memphis right fielder Dee Haynes made a terrific leaping catch of his fly ball just in front of the outfield wall.

Evan Rust pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. Chad Paronto surrendered a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth to Jarrod Patterson, but retired the next three batters to earn his fourth save.

Royals starter Les Walrond, who was 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA over his previous four starts, was again outstanding facing his former team. Walrond (4-4) allowed just one run on six hits over seven-and-a-third innings, walking three and striking out seven.

Memphis broke a scoreless tie in the fifth when Chris Prieto was out at second base on an attempted double steal, which allowed Bo Hart to score from third. The Redbirds added two insurance runs off Doug Linton in the ninth.

The series finale is Thursday at 12:05 p.m.: Memphis RH Jason Simontacchi (5-4, 4.11) vs. Royals RH Kris Wilson (6-11, 5.51). The lunchtime special features half-price hamburgers courtesy of Omaha Steaks and KPTM-Fox 42. The pre-game show airs at 11:45 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490.

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New York-Penn League Stories from July 21, 2004


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