Royals Game Notes
Published on August 20, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
AUGUST 20, 2007, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (65-64) vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (65-62)
HOME: 41-24 (31-41 in '06) AWAY: 24-40 (22-50 in '06) vs. Albuquerque: 5-9 (5-11 in '06)
TONIGHT: The Royals host the Albuquerque Isotopes in a 7:05 p.m. game at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's game 3 of a 4-game series, which Albuquerque leads 2-0. Omaha is 3-3 on the homestand. It's Free Money Monday! The 1st 500 fans will receive either cash or prizes, courtesy of Country 97.3 KBLR! Plus, Marvel Comics presents a comic book giveaway to the 1st 1,500 fans! Air-time is 6:45 p.m. on News Talk 1420 KOTK and at www.Oroyals.com.
SUNDAY: The Royals and Isotopes combined to bash 10 home runs, with Albuquerque edging Omaha 11-8. Joe Borchard had 2 homers and 5 RBI, while Valentino Pascucci belted a pair of solo shots among his 4 hits and scored 3 runs. Scott Seabol also went deep for the 'Topes, who won their 5th straight game to move into a tie for 1st with New Orleans in the PCL's American Conference South. Shane Costa, Justin Huber, Mitch Maier and Chris Lubanski all homered for the Royals, with Costa smacking a pair of home runs. Former Royal Jimmy Serrano (1-0) got the win in his Albuquerque debut, allowing 1 run on 3 hits over 3.0 innings. Roberto Giron (1-5) took the loss, surrendering 4 runs on 4 hits - including 2 home runs - in 3.0 innings of work.
ROYALS REPORT: Prior to Sunday, the last time Omaha and an opponent combined for 10 home runs in a game was April 29, 2001, in a contest at Rosenblatt vs. New Orleans. The Zephyrs bashed 7 of the round-trippers that day, including 2 apiece by former Royal Mendy Lopez and Morgan Ensberg, in a 15-5 romp. In the 1st 2 games of this current series, the 2 teams have combined to hit 18 home runs, 12 by Albuquerque. The PCL record for most homers by a team in 2 consecutive games is 13, set by Los Angeles vs. Sacramento on June 21-22, 1957. *** Yesterday's slugfest marked the 1st time the Royals corked 5 homers in a game in exactly 2 years. Omaha last did it on August 19, 2005 in an 8-3 win at New Orleans. The 4 gopher balls served up yesterday by rehabbing Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco were the most allowed in a game this season by an opposing pitcher. *** In the 1st 2 games of this series, Royals pitchers have been tagged for 22 runs, all but 1 of them earned. Omaha's team ERA has climbed from 4.36 to 4.46 since this series began. *** Costa's 2 homers Sunday came in his last 2 official at-bats of the game, with a walk sandwiched in between. Prior to that, he had hit just 3 home runs in 225 at-bats this season. *** Lubanski's long ball yesterday was his 4th in 36 games with Omaha. He has belted 3 homers and knocked in 5 runs over his past 3 games and has 3 home runs and 8 RBI over his last 8 contests. *** Paul Mildren, just claimed by KC off waivers from the Marlins, made his Omaha debut Sunday against his former club. He allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 5.0 frames, walking 2 and fanning 4, surrendering 1 homer. *** In his last 13 appearances prior to Sunday, Giron was 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA (3 ER in 30.0 IP) and 2 saves. *** Mike Aviles has hit in 5 straight games, going 8-for-23 (.348) with 2 RBI and 4 runs scored. *** Craig Brazell has hits in 6 straight and runs in 5 consecutive contests. During the hit string, he's 8-for-24 (.333) with 2 home runs, 4 RBI and 5 runs scored. *** Richard Lewis is hitless in his last 14 at-bats.
STARTERS: RH Kenny Baugh (6-7, 7.08) vs. RH Brandon Duckworth (0-1, 22.50)
Duckworth makes his 2nd start for Omaha, continuing a rehab assignment for a strained left oblique. The 31-year old right-hander's last start was last Wednesday vs. Iowa, when he took the loss in a 6-3 defeat (2.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR). Duckworth began the rehab process by making 2 starts for Wilmington, going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA. He has not pitched for KC since June 10. Prior to the injury, he was 2-3 with a 2.94 ERA and 1 save in 18 games (2 starts) for the parent club. Duckworth was acquired by KC from Pittsburgh on June 10, 2006 for cash considerations. He had opened the 2006 season with the Pirates' Triple-A club, Indianapolis, where he was 8-3 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 starts. With KC, he went 1-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 8 starts, before being moved to the bullpen. He was 0-1 with a 24.00 ERA (8 ER in 3.0 IP) in 2 relief outings, before going on the DL on July 31 with a right elbow strain. He underwent season-ending surgery on August 15. Duckworth spent parts of the past 6 seasons in the Majors with the Phillies, Astros and Royals. He was 17-26 with a 5.43 ERA in his big league career prior to this season. He was obtained by the Astros on November 3, 2003 from the Phillies with RHP Ezequiel Astacio and RHP Taylor Buchholz in exchange for LHP Billy Wagner. Duckworth was originally signed by the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent on August 13, 1997. He attended the College of Southern Idaho and Cal State Fullerton.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Tue., 12:05: RH Wes Obermueller (2-1, 3.35) vs. RH John Thomson (NR)
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 20, 2007
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- Sounds Rally Late To Knock Off Express, 6-5 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Fall to RedHawks, 6-2 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Hand Express Sixth Straight Loss - Round Rock Express
- Isotopes Rained Out - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Open Final Homestand On Wednesday - Nashville Sounds
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Fresno's Sun-Woo Kim Takes Home Pitcher Of The Week Honors - Fresno Grizzlies
- Pennant Race And Pink Jerseys Hit Isotopes Park - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Laynce Nix Named PCL Batter-Of-The-Week - Nashville Sounds
- 51s To Fly American Flag From 46th & 62nd Squadrons From Irag & Afghanistan - Las Vegas Aviators
- Grizzlies Pull Off Sweet Win Over Bees - Fresno Grizzlies
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