PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Royals Game Notes

Published on April 5, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


APRIL 5, 2008, 5:05 p.m. DH: OMAHA ROYALS (0-1) vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (1-0)

HOME: 0-1 (45-27 in '07) AWAY: 0-0 (28-44 in '07) vs. Albuquerque: 0-1 (5-11 in '07)

TODAY: The Royals entertain Albuquerque in a doubleheader at Rosenblatt Stadium. First pitch for the opening game of the twin bill is 5:05 p.m. The 1st 1,500 fans receive a retro Omaha Royals crown logo, worn during the 1996-1998 seasons, courtesy of Werner Enterprises, 1620 The Zone, WOWT and The Reader! Air-time for game one is 4:45 p.m. on News Talk 1420-AM KOTK and at www.Oroyals.com. The doubleheader will also be televised on WOWT-620 (Cox Channel 120), starting at 5:00 p.m.

LAST NIGHT: A trio of former Omaha Royals helped Albuquerque post a 7-6 victory in the Pacific Coast League season opener for both teams. Right-hander Bobby Keppel (1-0) got the win, turning in a quality start with three earned runs allowed in six innings. Alexis Gomez hit a solo home run off Luke Hochevar (0-1) in the 6th inning to put the Isotopes on top 4-2. And Joe Nelson recorded his 1st save, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings. Ryan Shealy's two-run homer in the 7th cut Albuquerque's lead to 7-5 and the Royals pulled to within a run in the 8th when Mitch Maier delivered an RBI double off Nelson. However, on Maier's double 'Topes center fielder Eric Reed cut the ball off in right-center, stranding Angel Berroa at 3rd base. Shane Costa singled leading off the 9th, but Nelson retired the next three batters.

ROYALS REPORT: With last night's win, Albuquerque has defeated the Royals in seven straight meetings. That includes a doubleheader sweep on August 21, 2007 at Rosenblatt, to conclude the '07 season series. The Isotopes have gone 11-5 each of the past two seasons vs. Omaha. *** At 1-1, the Memphis Redbirds are the early leader in the PCL's American Conference North. The Royals and Iowa are both 0-1, while reigning division champ Nashville has lost two straight to open the campaign. *** Hochevar used one pitch less than his limit of 75 pitches last night to work 5.2 innings. One of the four runs he allowed was unearned and 46 of his 74 pitches were for strikes. *** Neal Musser, who went 45.2 innings without allowing an earned run with Omaha last season, hurled a hitless 9th inning last night, walking one and striking out one batter. *** Maier was 3-for-5 in Friday's season opener. His .600 average ranks 5th in the PCL. *** The injury bug has bitten Albuquerque. The 'Topes starting catcher last night, Brett Hayes, stained his back while running to 1st base after singling in his 1st at-bat. He was sent to Double-A Carolina today and catcher Alberto Concepcion joins the Isotopes from the Mudcats. Tonight's scheduled starter in game 2, right-hander Doug Waechter, was scratched due to a torn fingernail on his pitching hand.

THE FIELD STAFF: Mike Jirschele will manage Omaha for a 6th consecutive season and 9th overall, having also skippered the club from 1995-1997. In eleven seasons as a minor league manager, "Jirsch's" teams have posted a record of 768-712 (.519). His eight Omaha clubs have gone a combined 555-596 (.482). He was selected to manage the Pacific Coast League All-Star team in the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game. Tom Burgmeier returns for a 3rd season as Omaha's pitching coach. Burgmeier pitched for Omaha from 1970-1973 and enjoyed a 17-year big league career, compiling a career record of 79-55 with a 3.23 ERA and 102 saves. Terry Bradshaw, who was an outfielder with Omaha in 1998, rejoins the team for a 5th season as its hitting coach - his 9th season as a hitting coach in KC's organization. Drew Van Dam joins the Royals organization as Omaha's trainer and Justin Annin is back for an season #2 as the strength coach.

GAME 1 STARTERS: RH Gaby Hernandez (NR) vs. RH Kyle Davies (NR)

Davies, acquired by KC from Atlanta in exchange for reliever Octavio Dotel on July 31, 2007, makes his 1st start for Omaha. The 24-year old right-hander opened the 2007 season with the Braves and was 4-8 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts. Following his trade to KC, he went 3-7 and posted a 6.66 ERA in 11 starts. Davies made his KC debut last August 4 at Yankee Stadium, allowing 5 runs on 6 hits in 3.0 innings and surrendering Alex Rodriguez' 500th career home run. He earned a win in his Kauffman Stadium debut vs. Minnesota, firing 6.2 shutout innings in a 1-0 victory. Davies began his big league career with Atlanta in 2005 by recording 14.0 consecutive scoreless innings, the most by a Braves rookie starter to open his career since Larry McWilliams (14.1) in 1978. In 2004, he was named the Phil Niekro Award Winner as the top pitcher in the Braves organization and was selected to Baseball America's minor league All-Star 2nd team. He was originally selected by Atlanta in the 4th round of the 2001 draft out of Stockbridge High School in Georgia. Kyle is his middle name - his given name is Hiram.

GAME 2 STARTERS: LH Chris Seddon (NR) vs. RH Matt Wright (NR)

Wright was signed by KC as a minor league free agent prior to 2007 and turned in a solid season with Omaha. He went 10-5 and his 4.06 ERA ranked 7th in the PCL. The 26-year old right-hander was 7-3 with a 4.01 ERA in 21 starts and 3-2 with a 4.32 ERA in 7 relief outings. He pitched well in tight spots, holding opponents to a .216 average with runners in scoring position and .193 with runners in scoring position and 2 outs. Wright won 6 of his 7 decisions at Rosenblatt Stadium. Following the season, he was a member of the gold-medal winning USA Baseball Team at the World Cup in Chinese Taipei, going 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 2 games (1 start). Prior to 2007, Wright spent his 1st 7 professional seasons in the Braves organization. He was named to the Carolina League All-Star team in 2004, when he ranked 6th in Atlanta's system with 133 strikeouts for Myrtle Beach. Wright was selected by the Braves in the 21st round of the 2000 draft out of Robinson High School in Texas.

PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:

Sun., 1:35: RH Daniel Barone (NR) vs. LH Tyler Lumsden (NR)

Check out the Omaha Storm Chasers Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 5, 2008


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