Royals errors help Redhawks salvage win in series finale
Published on July 10, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA - Errors by the Omaha Royals led to two unearned runs for Oklahoma, including one in the ninth inning, helping the RedHawks to a 5-4 win in front of 3,029 fans Sunday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium.
The game was tied at 3-all entering the ninth. Jace Brewer greeted Justin Huisman (3-1) with a double to left-center. Manny Alexander bunted Brewer to third and Jason Conti drew a walk to put runners at the corners with one out. Ian Kinsler then hit a grounder toward the hole at short. Luis Ugueto gloved it but fell down, causing his throw to go behind second baseman Denny Hocking and roll into right field. Brewer and Conti both scored on the play, putting Oklahoma on top 5-3.
It turned out to be a costly error, as Chad Santos blasted a home run on the first pitch delivered by lefty Hector Mercado. He recovered to strike out Ugueto and retire Cory Aldridge on a foul out to the catcher. With the Royals down to their final strike, Adrian Brown coaxed a walk on a 3-2 delivery. However, Brown was immediately picked off of first base by Mercado, who earned his first save.
Brown, who's headed to the Triple-A All-Star Game as the Royals lone representative on the PCL All-Star team, went 2-for-4 on the day. He's riding an eight-game hitting streak heading to the mid-summer classic at Raley Field in Sacramento, hitting at a .441 clip (15-34) over that stretch. The end to Sunday's game was similar to the final play of Omaha's 8-7 loss on Thursday at Memphis, when Brown was caught attempting to steal second base - just the fourth time in 28 tries he has been gunned down when stealing this season.
Danny Tamayo had a solid start Sunday for the Royals, allowing just one unearned run on eight hits over six innings, walking one batter and fanning six. The Royals led 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, but Shawn Sonnier blew the save opportunity by walking Brewer to lead off the inning and then surrendering a two-run homer toAlexander, tying the game.
Still tied in the bottom of the eighth, RedHawks reliever Erasmo Ramirez gave up a single and hit two batters with pitches to load the bases with two outs. Jose Veras (3-5) came on in relief and Chris Truby smoked a ground ball back through the box. However, it deflected off Veras' leg and right to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez who stepped on the bag to end the threat.
Omaha goes into the All-Star break at 41-50, while Oklahoma is 45-46. The Triple-A All-Star Game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and on Magic 1490, as well as at www.Oroyals.com. The pre-game show airs at 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2005
- Hill's grand slam leads Tucson to 10-4 win over Tacoma - Tucson Sidewinders
- Express strand four in scoring position late, lose to Nashville - Round Rock Express
- All-star fan fest fireworks show set to electrify downtown area - Sacramento River Cats
- Isotopes Enter All-Star Break on Winning Note - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Royals errors help Redhawks salvage win in series finale - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Beavers split with Las Vegas - Portland Beavers
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.
