Royals game notes
Published on August 18, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
AUGUST 18, 2006, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (46-80) vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (61-63)
HOME: 28-35 (35-37 in '05) AWAY: 18-45 (37-35 in '05) vs. Albuquerque: 5-10 (4-12 in '05)
TONIGHT: The Royals host the Albuquerque Isotopes at 7:05 p.m. at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's the finale of a 4-game series, which the Z'Topes lead 2-1. It's also Fireworks Friday, with the post-game fireworks display presented by AAA of Nebraska, KAT 103 and KETV. Air-time is 6:45 p.m. on Magic 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: Andy Van Hekken gave the Royals a solid start and Mike Coolbaugh and Kerry Robinson combined for 7 RBI, as the Royals snapped a 10-game losing streak with an 8-3 win over Albuquerque. Van Hekken (2-3), who was released by the Marlins this spring, retired the 1st 12 batters he faced and allowed just 1 unearned run through 6 innings before yielding back-to-back homers to Tom Wilson and Matt Cepicky in the 7th. Omaha scored 5 runs in the 5th to take a 7-1 lead, with Robinson tripling home the 1st 2 runs and Coolbaugh's 7th home run driving in the other 3. Yusmeiro Petit (4-5) took the loss, allowing 7 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits over 4.2 frames.
ROYALS REPORT: Van Hekken's 8 strikeouts last night was his season high with Omaha. Over his last 3 starts, he's 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA. *** Robinson had delivered only 1 triple in his 1sty 326 at-bats with Omaha before collecting 3-baggers in the 5th and 6th innings last night. He's the 2nd Royal to triple twice in a game this season. Chad Allen had 2 triples on May 14 at Albuquerque. Over the past 7 contests, Robinson is hitting .500 (14-28) with 4 RBI and 6 runs scored. *** Coolbaugh's 4 RBI last night was his season best and matched his RBI total over his previous 13 games. He has homered twice in the last 3 games after going 14 tilts without hitting a home run. *** Justin Huber posted his 6th 3-hit game of the year Thursday (he also has one 4-hit game). Over the past 8 games, Huber is batting .382 (13-34) with 7 RBI and 6 runs scored. *** Ryan Braun fired 2.1 perfect innings of relief last night. He has allowed just 1 unearned run on 3 hits over 7.0 innings in his last 3 appearances. *** Fernando Cortez collected his 2nd 3-hit game with Omaha last night and has hit in 3 straight games (6-9, 3B, 2 R), raising his average 21 points to .257. *** The Royals' 5-run 5th inning last night equaled their biggest inning of the campaign. *** Albuquerque had just 5 hits Thursday, one more than the season low for an opposing club. The 2 Isotopes left on base set a new season low.
STARTERS: LH Jason Vargas (2-4, 5.21) vs. RH Kyle Middleton (0-6, 5.69)
Middleton makes his 10th start for Omaha, after beginning this season with Double-A Wichita, where he spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons. The 26-year old right-hander's last start came at New Orleans last Sunday; he was not involved in the decision as the Royals lost 4-3 in 10 innings (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K). This is Middleton's 1st start against Albuquerque. In 16 games (15 starts) for Wichita this season, he was 5-3 with a 4.17 ERA and 1 save (86.1 IP, 108 H, 29 BB, 63 K, 8 HR). Middleton was named to the 2005 Texas League All-Star team. He was 10-9 with a 5.31 ERA in 28 starts for the Wranglers last season, ranking 3rd in the league with 171.1 innings pitched. This is Middleton's 7th season in the Royals' organization. He was KC's 49th round pick in the 1999 draft out of Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton, Alabama.
PROBABLES FOR SERIES VS. NEW ORLEANS:
Sat., 6:05: RH Anastacio Ramirez (5-8, 4.64) vs. RH Bobby Keppel (4-5, 6.06)
Sun., 1:35: RH Kip Bouknight (1-0, 3.38) vs. RH Pat Mahomes (0-1, 5.94)
Mon., 7:05: RH Andrew Good (8-8, 5.01) vs. LH Donovan Osborne (0-6, 7.38)
Tue., 12:05: RH Nelson Figueroa (2-4, 4.97) vs. LH Andy Van Hekken (2-3, 5.03)
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2006
- Isotopes rally past Royals 12-11 - Albuquerque Isotopes
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- Zs silenced by Sounds - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Beavers announce promotions for final homestand of season - Portland Beavers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Four Sounds To Appear At Metro Archives Baseball Open House On Saturday - Nashville Sounds
- Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Redbirds close out home slate for 2006 - Memphis Redbirds
- Sidewinders outlast Rainiers in 14 - Tucson Sidewinders
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