Portland Stuns Royals with Seven-Run Ninth
April 30, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â Entering the ninth inning Wednesday at Rosenblatt Stadium, it looked like Portland's fantastic road trip would suffer a blemish, while the Royals woeful performance at home would get a lift. That's because Omaha led 8-2. Seven runs later, the Beavers had staged a dramatic rally to win 9-8 and take a 3-0 lead in the series.
Jason Bay led off the improbable rally with a single for his second hit of the game. Tagg Bozied also singled, before Royals reliever Scott Mullen grazed the hand of Alex Fernandez to load the bases. Portland catcher Ben Risinger sent a sharp grounder toward Omaha third baseman Jarrod Patterson, setting the stage for a rally-killing double play. However, Patterson lifted up his glove too soon and the ball went through to left field. Patterson's seventh error in 27 games allowed two runs to score, cutting the lead to 8-4.
Rick DeHart (1-1) was summoned from the Royals bullpen. Jake Thrower hit another potential double play grounder up the middle, but it caromed off DeHart's glove for an infield single to load the bases. Donaldo Mendez followed with his second RBI single of the day to make it an 8-5 Omaha lead.
Bernie Castro, just 2-for-9 in the series to that point, slapped a two-run single into left field to shave the Royals' advantage to a single run. Kory DeHaan, who had been 1-for-9 in the series, then took a 1-2 pitch from DeHart into right field for an RBI single to tie the game at 8-all and become the eighth consecutive batter to reach base to begin the inning.
Bay, who began the inning innocently enough with a single, then sent a sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Castro with the seventh run of the frame to put Portland on top 9-8. Bozied hit into a force play to finally end the wild stanza.
Brent Abernathy reached on an error by Portland second baseman Bernie Castro to open the bottom of the ninth. It was the fifth time he reached base in as many trips to the plate on Wednesday. After a sacrifice bunt by Julius Matos moved Abernathy to second, Cliff Bartosh retired Aaron Guiel on a foul out to catcher and got Morgan Burkhart on a fly ball to right to earn his third save. Kris Keller (1-0), who had pitched a scoreless eighth, pocketed the win.
Portland (18-9) improves to 8-3 on their 12-game road trip and is now 13-6 on the road this season. Omaha (15-12) falls to 4-7 at home this year. The Royals, who were swept by the Beavers at Rosenblatt in 2001, have lost four consecutive games in Omaha dating back to their last home stand.
The final game of the series is Thursday at 12:05 p.m.: LH Mike Bynum (1-1, 4.09) vs. RH Shawn Sedlacek (0-3, 7.59). Air time is 11:45 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 30, 2003
- Trappers Split Doubleheader with Nashville - Edmonton Trappers
- Capuano Pitches Winders to Win - Tucson Sidewinders
- Expos Trade Blank to Giants to Complete Deal - Edmonton Trappers
- Express Make Roster Moves - Round Rock Express
- Portland Stuns Royals with Seven-Run Ninth - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Score Four in Eighth to Defeat Redbirds, 4-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Dibble Bobblehead Giveaway On ESPN Radio - Nashville Sounds
- Express Makes Major Roster Moves - Round Rock Express
- Sidewinders Get Road Win - Tucson Sidewinders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
