PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Omaha Royals Game Notes

Published on April 14, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


APRIL 14, 2008, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (6-4) at Memphis Redbirds (6-5)

HOME: 5-2 (45-27 in ‘07) AWAY: 1-2 (28-44 in '07) vs. Memphis: 1-2 (8-8 in '07)

TONIGHT: The Royals visit AutoZone Park in Memphis for game 4 of a 4-game series and 8-game road trip. The Redbirds lead the series 2-1. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with the pre-game show on the air at 6:45 p.m. on News Talk 1420-AM KOTK and at www.oroyals.com.

SUNDAY: Ryan Shealy's home run leading off the 8th inning put the Royals on top 5-3, but Memphis rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the 8th to defeat Omaha 7-5. Brandon Duckworth (0-1) took the loss, giving up all 4 runs (3 earned) in the 8th inning, after allowing only 1 run in the previous 3 innings, coming on a Nick Stavinoha homer leading off the bottom of the 6th that tied the score at 3-3. Memphis ignited the 8th inning comeback with 3 consecutive singles, loading the bases with no outs. After Duckworth got the 1st out on a fly ball, Cody Haerther banged a 3-run double to put Memphis ahead. The Redbirds added an unearned run on a throwing error by shortstop Jason Smith. Cliff Politte (1-0) got the win, despite yielding Shealy's homer in his 1.1 innings. Chris Perez retired the Royals in order in the 9th for his 3rd save.

ROYALS REPORT: The Royals have lost 2 straight for the 1st time this season, seeing their lead over Memphis for 1st place in the PCL's American Conference North dwindle to a-half game. After hitting .305 and scoring 42 runs during their season-opening home stand, the Royals are hitting .221 and have scored 12 runs in the 1st 3 games of this trip. *** Mike Aviles has hit in all 3 games of this series, going 5-for-13 (.385) with 2 doubles, a home run and 4 RBI. He leads the team with 9 extra-base hits (tied for 3rd in the PCL) and with 11 RBI (tied for 4th in the league). *** Shane Costa has put together a 6-game hitting streak (.417, 10-for-24). On Sunday, he also stole his 3rd base in as many attempts, giving him more thefts than the rest of the team combined (2). *** Dave Matranga finally made his Omaha debut in the Royals' 10th game yesterday. Playing 3rd base and batting 9th in the order, the 31-year old utility player went 1-for-3 with a triple, 2 RBI and a run scored. *** The Redbirds' 4-run 8th inning Sunday was the biggest inning for an opponent this season and their 7 runs in the game equaled the season mark for an opposing club. *** Duckworth worked a team-high 4.0 innings for the 2nd time in his 3 appearances. In the campaign's 1st 10 tilts, Omaha starters have pitched just 44.0 innings, compared to 42.0 frames for the bullpen. *** Shealy's round-tripper yesterday was his 1st in the past 6 games, after he had belted 2 dingers in Omaha's 1st 4 contests. *** Damon Hollins had 1 single in 4 at-bats yesterday, but did not pick up a walk for just the 2nd time in 10 games. Hollins leads the PCL with 12 bases-on-balls. *** Brian Buchanan, who began the season on the DL, made his 1st start for Omaha on Sunday. Batting 6th in the order as the DH, he went 0-for-4 with a K and grounded into a double play. *** The Royals turned 3 more double plays yesterday, giving Omaha 9 twin-killings in the 1st 3 games of this series.

STARTERS: LH Jorge De La Rosa (0-0, 1.93) vs. RH Mike Parisi (1-0, 2.53)

De La Rosa makes his 2nd start of the season. The 27-year old lefty made his Omaha debut last Tuesday vs. Round Rock, and came within 1 out of qualifying for the win in the Royals' 2-1 victory over Round Rock (4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K). De La Rosa was acquired by KC from Milwaukee in exchange for Tony Graffanino on July 25, 2006. In 2007, he began the season as KC's #4 starter and went on to set career highs in starts (23), wins (8), losses (12), innings (130) and strikeouts (82). He posted a 5.82 ERA in 26 games with KC, including 3 relief outings. He started off strong last season, going 4-3 with a 3.59 ERA through his 1st 9 starts, issuing just 12 walks in 57.2 innings during that span. At that point, his average of 1.87 walks per 9 innings ranked 5th-best in the A.L. However, he allowed 41 free passes in 72.1 frames over the rest of the season. A left elbow strain landed De La Rosa on the D.L. on August 1. He made 3 rehab appearances with Wichita before being activated on September 11. In 2006, he was 2-2 with an 8.60 ERA in 18 games (3 starts) for the Brewers and following the trade to KC he went 3-4 with a 5.18 ERA in 10 starts. Prior to the '06 season, he represented his native Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief. After the '03 season, he was involved in 2 big trades - 1st being acquired by Arizona along with 3 other players from the Red Sox for Curt Schilling and being sent to the Brewers a few days later in a 9-player deal. De La Rosa was originally signed by the Diamondbacks as a non-drafted free agent in 1998.

PROBABLES FOR SERIES AT NASHVILLE:

Tue., 6:00: RH Luke Hochevar (0-1, 3.97) vs. LH Chris Narveson (0-2, 4.50)

Wed., 12:00: RH Kyle Davies (1-0, 2.25) vs. RH Richie Gardner (0-0, 0.00)

Thur., 7:00: LH Tyler Lumsden (0-1, 5.87) vs. RH Nic Ungs (1-1, 3.72)

Fri., 7:00: RH Matt Wright (0-0, 5.40) vs. LH Lindsay Gulin (0-1, 1.04)

Check out the Omaha Storm Chasers Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2008


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