Royals Finally End Losing Streak at Home
Published on May 13, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â No need to work yourself into a lather, Mr. Stewart. Well, actually, I guess you should. Omaha Royals Vice President and General Manager Doug Stewart may finally shave again, as the Royals ended a 12-game home losing streak Tuesday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium with a 5-2 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs.
Stewart stopped shaving about a week ago and was sweating out having to wait until next Monday if the Royals failed to end the slide on Tuesday. Omaha starter Wes Obermueller (5-3) surrendered two runs in the first inning to fall behind early, but then settled down to pitch the Royals to their first win at home since April 17th.
Obermueller blanked the Zephyrs over the next six innings, improving to 3-1 in his fourth and final start vs. New Orleans this season. Brandon Berger erased the 2-0 lead in the third inning by connecting for a grand slam off Z's starter Rodrigo Rosario. It was the first hit allowed by Rosario (3-4), who had walked Jarrod Patterson to lead off the inning and hit both Fernando Lunar and Brent Abernathy with pitches prior to Berger's blast. It was Berger's second home run since being sent down by Kansas City and gives him eight RBI in seven games with Omaha. It was the Royals second slam of the season, both coming against the Zephyrs.
Aaron Guiel added a solo shot in the sixth off Rosario, who entered the game with the PCL's seventh best ERA at 2.56. The 25-year old righthander allowed five runs in seven-and-two-thirds innings to see his ERA climb to 3.04 and his record vs. the Royals to drop to 1-3. It was Guiel's third home run of the season, his first since April 14th when he went deep off New Orleans righthander Kirk Saarloos.
Jason Gilfillan earned his fifth save with two scoreless innings of relief. He finished with a flourish, striking out the side in the ninth, as the Royals (18-22) wound up splitting the 16-game season series with New Orleans (23-16).
Following an off day on Wednesday, the Royals open a four-game series at Iowa on Thursday night. Omaha RH James Baldwin (0-1, 6.75) will face Iowa RH Mike Wuertz (1-4, 5.11). Air time is 6:45 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 13, 2003
- Trappers Ride Hodges' Big Day to Win over Portland - Edmonton Trappers
- Patterson Pitches Tucson to Win in Vegas - Tucson Sidewinders
- Express second inning miscues lead to loss - Round Rock Express
- Royals Defeat Zephyrs, 5-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Royals Finally End Losing Streak at Home - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Sweep Doubleheader from Royals - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sidewinders Fall to 51's - Tucson Sidewinders
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