Royals game notes
Published on September 1, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (53-87) vs. Iowa Cubs (72-68)
HOME: 31-37 (35-37 in '05) AWAY: 22-50 (37-35 in '05) vs. Iowa: 5-7 (8-8 in '05)
TONIGHT: The Royals host the Iowa Cubs in a 7:05 p.m. game at Rosenblatt Stadium, opening Omaha's final 4-game series of the 2006 season. The Royals are coming off a 4-5 road trip to Oklahoma and New Orleans. It's the final Fireworks Friday of the season, followed by a Girl Scout Sleepover at the ballpark presented by 96.1 The Brew and KETV. Air-time is 6:45 p.m. on Magic 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: Kerry Robinson scored his 4th run of the game on Mike Coolbaugh's sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning and the Royals edged the Zephyrs 8-7 at New Orleans. The Royals trailed 6-2 entering the 7th, before rallying for 4 runs to tie the game. The first 3 runs scored with 1 out on Alejandro Prieto's 3-run homer, which chased Z's starter Andrew Good. Felix Rodriguez recorded the 2nd out of the 7th, before surrendering Justin Huber's game-tying RBI double. Omaha took a 5-4 lead with a run in the 8th, before leaving the bases loaded. New Orleans scored the tying run in the 9th off Jose Diaz on a bases loaded force play. The Royals took the lead in the 10th with a run off Roy Corcoran (2-4) and Diaz (2-3) got the win and finished with a scoreless bottom half of the frame.
ROYALS REPORT: Prieto's home run Thursday night was just his 3rd of the season and 1st in exactly 1 month. His 4 hits equaled a team single-game high and his 3 RBI matched the number of runs he had knocked in over his previous 21 contests. *** The 4 runs scored last night by Robinson marked the 3rd time this year that had been done by a Royals player. His walk to lead off the decisive 10th inning was the 7th free pass Robinson has coaxed in the past 5 games. *** Coolbaugh's 2 RBI last night marked only the 5th time in his 53 games with Omaha that he has had more than 1 RBI. Still, he has 24 RBI on the campaign. *** Shane Costa has hit in 3 straight games, going 5-for-13 (.385) with 2 RBI. In 50 games with Omaha, Costa owns a .344 batting average with 10 home runs and 27 RBI. *** Last night's comeback win was the Royals' 23rd of such victory this season. It improved Omaha's record to 13-18 in games decided in the last at-bat, 5-5 in extra inning affairs and 18-29 in 1-run decisions. It was also just the 45th errorless game for the Royals, who lead the PCL with 150 errors - compared to 71 error-free games for their opponents. *** Iowa enters this series in 2nd place in the PCL's American Conference North Division, 3.0 games behind 2005 PCL Champion Nashville. The Sounds are at home this weekend, entertaining American Conference South-leading Round Rock, which has the loop's 2nd-best record at 82-58. *** Even if the Royals would sweep this series, Omaha would finish at 57-87. The club's .396 winning percentage would be the lowest in franchise history. The 1974 club went 54-82 (.397). *** Tonight's crowd, expected to be well over the 4,699 fans needed, will boost the Royals' 2006 season attendance above the 300,000 mark. It is the 19th consecutive season that KC's Triple-A affiliate has hit surpassed 300,000 fans, dating back to 1988.
STARTERS: RH Mac Suzuki (0-0, 4.32) vs. LH Andy Van Hekken (3-4, 4.44)
Van Hekken makes his 9th start for Omaha. The 27-year old lefty had his contract purchased by KC from the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic on July 22. His last start came in game 2 of a doubleheader at Oklahoma last Sunday, when he took the loss in a 4-2 defeat (4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 1 K). That snapped a string of 4 consecutive quality starts posted by the southpaw, when he went 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA. This is his 1st appearance vs. the I-Cubs. With Somerset, Van Hekken made 13 starts, going 3-6 with a 5.56 ERA. He began the 2005 season in the Braves' organization, after signing with Atlanta as a minor league free agent. He made 4 starts for Triple-A Richmond (0-3, 9.16 ERA) and 3 for Double-A Mississippi (0-0, 5.63). But, he spent most of the season in the Reds' system, pitching mostly in relief for Triple-A Louisville (1-0, 3.89 in 27 games, including 1 start). He also made 3 starts for Double-A Chattanooga (2-0, 3.24). Van Hekken pitched in the Major Leagues for Detroit in 2002, making 5 starts and going 1-3 with a 3.00 ERA. In his Major League debut on September 3, 2002, he blanked Cleveland 4-0 on 8 hits. He became the 1st A.L. pitcher to toss a shutout in his big league debut since Oakland's Mike Norris blanked the White Sox 9-0 on April 10, 1975 and was the 1st Tigers pitcher to do it since Schoolboy Rowe on April 15, 1933 (also vs. the ChiSox). Van Hekken was originally selected by the Mariners in the 3rd round of the 1998 draft, but was traded to the Tigers in June 1999 and remained in their organization through 2004.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Sat., 6:05: RH Jae-Kuk Ryu (7-8, 3.36) vs. RH Kyle Middleton (0-7, 5.27)
Sun., 1:35: RH Randy Wells (4-5, 5.29) vs. RH Bobby Keppel (6-6, 5.44)
Mon., 1:35: RH Wilton Chavez (6-4, 4.54) vs. TBA
Pacific Coast League Stories from September 1, 2006
- Isotopes Rally From Early Deficit to Claim 10-9 Win Over Oklahoma - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Bass finishes strong in Tacoma - Tucson Sidewinders
- Blank solid in third start for Beavers - Portland Beavers
- Zephyrs beat Redbirds - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Lose Heartbreaker To Express, 7-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Iowa's Schlosser named 2006 Sports Turf Manager of the Year - PCL1
- Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rottino, Sarfate Called Up By Brewers - Nashville Sounds
- Sounds Can Clinch Playoff Berth Tonight At Greer - Nashville Sounds
- Misch, Grizzlies close out home season on a high note - Fresno Grizzlies
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