PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

RedHawks Nip Royals, 4-3, in 12

Published on May 22, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA – It's not like the Omaha Royals and Oklahoma RedHawks haven't seen enough of each other this spring. Meeting for the eleventh time already this season on Wednesday night at Rosenblatt Stadium, the two clubs needed extra innings for a fourth time to decide the contest. Oklahoma prevailed 4-3 in 12 innings to take an 8-3 lead in the season series.

It appeared that the RedHawks would win in regulation, as they led 3-2 with two outs and runners at first and second for Omaha in the bottom of the ninth. Oklahoma closer Rosman Garcia, who had extended his season-opening scoreless streak to 15 innings while recording his tenth save of the season on Tuesday night against the Royals, was on the mound. And Garcia got ahead of Aaron Guiel no balls and two strikes. However, Guiel then looped a game-tying RBI single into left-center field, scoring Brent Abernathy from second base with the tying run. Garcia did retire Mike Kelly on a foul pop to the catcher to leave the potential winning run in scoring position.

The Royals set the stage to win the game in front of what remained of 2,416 fans in the eleventh. With one out, Oklahoma lefty Ray Beasley (2-1) allowed back-to-back singles to Abernathy – his third hit of the night – and Jed Hansen to put the potential winning run at second base. Beasley fell behind the next batter, Morgan Burkhart, 3-and-0. Surprisingly, Burkhart swung at the next pitch and flied out to right field for the second out of the inning, with Abernathy tagging up and taking third. Guiel could not supply a game-winning hit, as the Royals right fielder grounded out to end the threat.

In the 12th, Royals southpaw Rick DeHart (1-3) yielded two hits, including a two-out RBI single by Kevin Mench, scoring Manny Alexander from second base with what proved to be the deciding run. In the bottom of the 12th, Beasley gave up a one-out single to Jarrod Patterson for his second hit of the game. But, Beasley retired the three other batters he faced on fly balls to get the win, evening Oklahoma's record against Omaha in extra inning affairs at 2-2. The Royals wound up leaving 14 runners on base, tying their season high.

Omaha, now 6-17 at home, tries to earn a split of the four-game series Thursday at 12:05 p.m. The Royals will face RH Chan Ho Park (0-0, 1.50), who will be making his third rehab assignment start (second with Oklahoma) vs. Royals RH Shawn Sedlacek (1-6, 6.75). Air time is 11:45 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 22, 2003


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