Royals Game Notes
April 22, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
APRIL 22, 2007, 2:10 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (7-10) @ Memphis Redbirds (7-10)
HOME: 5-3 (31-41 in '06) AWAY: 2-7 (22-50 in '06) vs. Memphis: 0-1 (9-7 in '06)
TODAY: The Royals visit AutoZone Park for game 2 of a 4-game series vs. the Memphis Redbirds, which the Redbirds lead 1-0. Air-time is 1:50 p.m. on News Talk 1420 KOTK and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: Tagg Bozied and Rico Washington hit back-to-homers in the 2nd inning as Memphis won the series opener, 4-2. Bozied belted a 2-run shot - his 2nd homer of the season - off Scott Elarton (0-1), who then surrendered Washington's 1st home run of the season. Billy Butler's 2-run single in the 3rd cut the Redbirds lead to 3-2. The Royals threatened in the 5th, when Memphis starter Mike Parisi walked the bases loaded with 1 out. However, reliever Mike Sillman (2-0) made his only pitch of the game a good one, inducing Mike Aviles to ground into an inning-ending double play and pick up the win. In the 9th, the Royals had runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out, but Brian Falkenborg earned his 5th save by striking out Butler and getting Graham Koonce to ground out.
ROYALS REPORT: The final line on Elarton's 2nd rehab start for KC was 5.0 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and 2 home runs allowed. *** Zach Day finished on the mound for Omaha last night, allowing just 1 unearned run on 2 hits. He did not issue a walk - although he did hit 3 Memphis batters with pitches - and struck out 1, while lowering his ERA to 3.38. *** Butler has knocked in 2 runs in each of the past 3 games and has delivered more than 1 RBI in 7 contests this season. His 16 RBI ranks 2nd in the PCL. Butler is on a 4-game hitting streak and has hit in 7 of the past 8 tilts (.400, 10-25, 1 HR, 9 RBI). *** Shane Costa was in the leadoff spot for the Royals last night - the 1st time in 17 games this season that spot has been occupied by any player other than Joey Gathright. Costa led off the game with a single, extending his hitting streak to 8 games, tied with Mitch Maier for the longest hitting streak of the season by a Royal. Costa, who also walked twice and scored a run, is hitting .469 (15-32) during the streak, with 3 RBI and 7 runs scored. *** Aviles has hit in 3 straight and 5 of 6 contests (.318, 7-22, 5 RBI). *** Justin Huber's 4th inning single last night ended a hitless string of 12 at-bats for the Aussie. Huber was used as Omaha's designated hitter for the 1st time this season, becoming the 5th player to fill that role. The DH spot has been productive for the Royals this season: a .297 average, 4 home runs and 12 RBI. *** Andres Blanco, who had not played since April 14 due to a sore knee, started at shortstop last night. Blanco was 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. He's hitting just .086 (3-35) on the season. *** Matt Tupman posted his 3rd 2-hit game of the season Saturday. The Royals catcher has hit in 5 straight (.353, 6-17) and is batting .323 (10-31) on the campaign. *** Parisi issued 6 of the 8 walks from Memphis pitchers last night, while Omaha pitchers gave only 1 free pass. The Royals left 11 runners on base in the contest. Each team turned 3 double plays, equaling the season high for Omaha and an opponent. *** Lefty reliever Neal Musser, called up by KC Friday, made his Major League debut Saturday in the 6th inning vs. Minnesota. He retired 1 batter - reigning A.L. MVP Justin Morneau - but allowed 2 hits and an unearned run.
STARTERS: LH Tyler Lumsden (1-2, 6.28) vs. RH Mike Smith (1-2, 4.50)
Lumsden, considered one of the top prospects in KC's organization, makes his 4th start. The 23-year old lefty turned in a quality start Tuesday vs. Round Rock, but absorbed the loss in a 5-1 defeat (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR). Lumsden is ranked by Baseball America as KC's #5 prospect and 2nd-best pitching prospect entering this season. He was acquired by KC along with right-hander Daniel Cortes from the Chicago White Sox last July, in a trade for reliever Mike MacDougal. After missing the entire 2005 season following surgery on his left elbow, Lumsden was terrific in 2006. He began the campaign with Double-A Birmingham, going 9-4 with a 2.69 ERA in 20 starts. His 2.69 ERA ranked 4th-best in the Southern League. Following the trade to KC, Lumsden made 7 appearances (6 starts) for Double-A Wichita, going 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA to help the Wranglers win the 2nd half title and advance to the Texas League Championship series. Lumsden was selected by the White Sox as a sandwich pick between the 1st and 2nd rounds (34th overall) of the 2004 draft, out of Clemson. He compiled a 17-7 record in his 3 seasons at Clemson and pitched for the Tigers in the 2002 College World Series.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Mon., 7:10: RH Dewon Brazelton (0-3, 5.14) vs. LH Chris Narveson (1-1, 5.00)
Tue., 1:10: RH Ben Hendrickson (2-1, 6.75) vs. RH Matt Ginter (1-2, 5.17)
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 22, 2007
- Sidewinders Postponed In Fresno - Tucson Sidewinders
- Timely hits lead to 7-2 Sunday win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Road Woes Continue For Beavers - Portland Beavers
- Seabol Hits Third Home Run - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Zephyrs Lose To Isotopes 7-4 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sky Sox 6, Portland 3 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Birds Blast Royals, 10-5 - Memphis Redbirds
- Driskill Not Enough to Save Express - Round Rock Express
- Barnwell Single Gives Sounds 2-1 Win In 10th - Nashville Sounds
- Grizzlies Sunday Game Postponed - Fresno Grizzlies
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Tucson Pours it on to Defeat Fresno 9-5 - Fresno Grizzlies
- Sidewinders Ride Crooked Numbers To Win Over Fresno - Tucson Sidewinders
- RedHawks rally from 5-0 deficit to win at Round Rock - Oklahoma City Comets
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