Royals Game Notes
Published on August 12, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
AUGUST 12, 2007, 2:10 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (60-61) at Memphis Redbirds (49-72)
HOME: 38-21 (31-41 in '06) AWAY: 22-40 (22-50 in '06) vs. Memphis: 6-8 (9-7 in '06)
TODAY: The Royals visit AutoZone Park, facing the Memphis Redbirds in a 2:10 p.m. game. It's game 3 of a 4-game series, which is tied 1-1. Air-time is 1:50 p.m. on News Talk 1420 KOTK and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: Trailing the Royals 5-2 going to the bottom of the 7th, Memphis staged a 4-run rally with 2 outs in the inning and went on to defeat Omaha 7-5. Royals starter Luke Hochevar retired the 1st 2 batters in the 7th before giving up back-to-back singles and being relieved by Kenny Ray, who walked the 1st batter he faced and then yielded a game-tying, 3-run double to Skip Schumaker. After a wild pitch by Ray (3-4), Jarret Hoffpauir delivered an RBI single to cap the rally. Kelvin Jimenez (2-3) picked up the win, despite allowing a run in two-thirds of an inning. Chris Perez pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save.
ROYALS REPORT: Prior to last night's collapse, the Royals had been 47-7 when leading after 6 innings. *** Ray's blown save was his 3rd in 5 opportunities this season and the 2nd in his last 6 appearances. He has allowed 7 earned runs in 11.0 innings over that stretch, for a 5.73 ERA. *** Mitch Maier's 2-run home run in the top of the 5th last night gave the Royals a 2-1 lead. It was his 9th homer of the season, but his 1st round-tripper in 103 at-bats, dating back to July 13. Maier also doubled, walked and scored 2 runs. *** Craig Brazell had a pair of doubles Saturday night, giving him 26 doubles to go along with 27 homers in 84 games. It also marked Brazell's 30th multi-hit contest with Omaha. Over the past 12 games, he's hitting .356 (16-45) with 2 homers and 7 RBI. *** Derek Wathan started in right field last night for his 2nd start in the outfield in 39 games with the Royals. He went 2-for-4 and knocked in a run. *** Mike Aviles collected his club-leading 71st RBI of the season last night. In the past 24 games, Aviles is batting .354 (35-99) with 7 homers and 24 RBI. *** Over his last 14 contests, Justin Huber owns a .345 average (19-55) with 5 dingers and 15 RBI. *** Ryan Shealy rejoins Omaha today after being optioned down by KC following his rehab assignment. In the last 9 games of his rehab stint, Shealy was 12-for-35 (.343), belting 4 home runs and driving in 13 runs. *** Shane Costa, whose 46-game reached-base streak came to an end Friday night when he was 0-for-4, had the night off Saturday. *** Paul Phillips went hitless in 4 at-bats last night, ending his hit string at 5 games. *** Two former Omaha Royals continued to have a big impact Saturday with KC. Leo Nunez (2-0) allowed 1 run on just 2 hits in 6.0 innings to beat Toronto 4-1 at Kauffman Stadium. Meanwhile, Joey Gathright had 2 hits, 2 stolen bases and ended the game with a terrific catch that took away a 2-run homer. Gathright is batting .448 for KC since being recalled from Omaha on August 1 and is hitting .363 with a team-high .420 on-base percentage in the big leagues this season. *** The parent club held a silent auction Friday night and raised over $5,800 for the family of former Omaha Royals player Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed last month after being struck by a line drive while coaching 1st base for the Tulsa Drillers. The Omaha Royals also have a silent auction weekend planned next Friday through Sunday, August 17-19 at Rosenblatt Stadium and KC plans a second such event on August 24.
STARTERS: LH Tyler Lumsden (7-5, 6.32) vs. RH Blake Hawksworth (3-12, 5.49)
Lumsden makes his 21st start and 22nd appearance of the season. The 24-year old lefty's last start was last Monday vs. Tucson; he was not involved in the decision in the Royals' 6-5 loss (3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R-4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K). Over his previous 3 starts, Lumsden was 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA. He's 3-2 with a 6.07 ERA at home, while going 4-3 with a 6.51 ERA on the road. Entering this season, Lumsden was ranked by Baseball America as KC's #5 prospect and 2nd-best pitching prospect. 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. In 20 starts for Double-A Birmingham, he was 9-4 with a 2.69 ERA, which ranked 4th in the Southern League. After the trade to KC, he made 7 appearances (6 starts) for Double-A Wichita, going 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA. 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 Matt Wright (8-3, 3.86) vs. RH Matt Ginter (2-5, 3.90)
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 12, 2007
- Carter Homers Again To Lead Sidewinders In Win - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Snap Skid With 3-2 Win Over 'Topes - Nashville Sounds
- Slugging Bees Take Third Straight - Portland Beavers
- Omaha Works Extra for Victory - Memphis Redbirds
- Cubs Continue to Score Late - Oklahoma City Comets
- Zephyrs Shut Out by Express - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Oklahoma RedHawks game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
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