Royals Game Notes
Published on August 25, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
AUGUST 25, 2008, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (59-77) vs. New Orleans (63-73)
HOME: 28-40 (45-27 in '07) AWAY: 31-37 (28-44 in '07) vs. New Orleans: 9-3 (8-6 in '07)
TONIGHT: The Royals host the New Orleans Zephyrs in a 7:05 p.m. game at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's the opener of a 4-game series - the final 4 home games of the season. Omaha began the home stand by winning 3 of 5 games vs. Memphis. The Royals lead the season series vs. New Orleans 9-3. It's $1 hot dogs tonight, courtesy of 89.7 The River and the Daily Nonpareil. Plus, all of the weekly winners of 89.7 The River's "Kids Who Rock" promotion will be honored. The pre-game show airs at 6:45 p.m. on News Talk 1420 KOTK and at www.oroyals.com.
SUNDAY: After spotting Memphis 3 runs in the 1st inning, the Royals rallied to win 5-4 in 10 innings. Brett Bigler's sacrifice fly to center field with 1 out and the bases loaded in the 10th scored the game-winner. Ryan Shealy, who had walked with 1 out to begin the rally, scored sliding as Shane Robinson's throw to the plate bounced and deflected off his leg. The Rebirds' defeat, combined with Iowa's 5-3 win last night at Oklahoma, clinched the American Conference North title for the Cubs. Trailing 4-1, the Royals scored 3 runs in the 7th on Chris Lubanski's 2-run double and Brayan Pena's sacrifice fly. Devon Lowery (1-1) notched the win, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings. Matt Scherer (2-3), who got an inning-ending double play grounder with his only pitch in the 9th, took the loss in the 10th.
ROYALS REPORT: Sunday's victory was the Royals' 20th come-from-behind win this season. It was just the 10th win for Omaha in 32 games this year that have been decided in the final at-bat. *** Omaha's 3-2 series win over Memphis marked the 1st time the Royals have won a series since June 21-24, when they swept a 4-game set at New Orleans to improve to 39-38. Since then, the Royals had lost 11 series and split 2 others. *** The Royals have won 7 straight meetings vs. New Orleans, with all of the wins coming at Zephyr Field. *** Royals' batters picked up 9 walks yesterday - 1 walk shy of their season high, which was set in a 15-inning contest on July 2 at Iowa. *** Bigler walked 4 times Sunday, becoming the 2nd Royal to do that in a game this year. Lubanski walked 4 times June 10 at New Orleans, in Omaha's 13-0 romp. *** Shealy has coaxed at least one walk in 7 straight games, picking up a total of 12 free passes in that span. *** Lowery extended his scoreless streak yesterday to 13.0 innings over his last 8 appearances, dropping his ERA from 2.53 to 1.94. *** Matt Wright worked 6.2 innings of solid relief Sunday, after KC rehab pitchers John Bale and Jimmy Gobble each pitched an inning. Wright gave up just 1 run on 8 hits, walking 1 and fanning 5. Over his last 4 outings, Wright has a 2.66 ERA. However, unless he pitches again at Rosenblatt, he will finish 0-4 at home this season, after going 6-1 here in 2007. *** Pena smacked a solo homer Sunday, giving him 4 round-trippers in his last 16 games. He did not have a home run in his 1st 36 contests with Omaha. Pena is riding a season-high, 8-game hitting streak. During the string, he's hitting .393 (11-for-28) with 2 homers and 6 RBI. *** Lubanski was 6-for-18 in the Memphis series, with 2 doubles, a triple, a home run and 3 RBI. Prior to this home stand, he had been in a 4-for-45 (.089) slump. His home run on Friday night was his 1st in a 23-game span, since July 30. He belted 5 homers from July 24-30. *** Kila Ka'aihue sat out Sunday's game, after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist Saturday night. *** Gookie Dawkins went 2-for-23 (.087) in the Memphis series and hit just .125 (5-for-40) vs. the Redbirds this year. In 7 games vs. New Orleans, he's hitting .370 (10-for-27) with 8 RBI. *** Damon Hollins was 2-for-16 in the just-completed series and hit .148 (7-for-48) vs. Memphis this season. He's batting .278 (10-for-36) with 2 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs and 7 RBI in 9 tilts vs. the Zephyrs. *** After having his contract purchased by KC, Brandon Duckworth got the win in Sunday's 7-3 victory over Detroit. He went 5.0 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, helping KC snap its' 7-game losing streak. The parent club optioned lefty Josh Newman back to Omaha and transferred Luke Hochevar to the 60-day DL.
STARTERS: RH Ruddy Lugo (7-11, 4.94) vs. RH Roman Colon (4-5, 4.75)
Colon makes his 10th start (23rd appearance) with Omaha. The 29-year old right-hander's last outing was a start vs. Memphis last Wednesday; he was not involved in the decision as the Royals won 7-6 (6.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR). Colon has faced the Zephyrs twice this season, including 1 start, going 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA. In his 9 starts, he's 2-3 with a 4.40 ERA. He's 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA and 1 save in 13 relief appearances. He's 3-3 with a 4.17 ERA and 1 save at Rosenblatt, while going 1-2 with a 5.36 ERA on the road. Colon opened this season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, going 2-1 with a 5.29 ERA and 1 save in 10 relief outings. He was acquired by KC from Detroit on July 13, 2007 for a player to be named (Danny Christensen). Colon struggled with injuries last season, limiting him to a combined 12 appearances between Toledo, Erie and Omaha. 2007 marked the 1st season since 2003 that he did not spend time in the Major Leagues. He was sent to Omaha on a rehab assignment last August, but it was ended after only 1 relief appearance, as he underwent elbow surgery to remove bone chips. In 2006, he spent most of the campaign with Detroit, going 2-0 with a 4.89 ERA and 1 save in 20 games (1 start); he missed all of April due to a right shoulder strain and his season ended on August 14 due to neck spasms. He was acquired by the Tigers along with Zach Miner from Atlanta in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth on July 31, 2005. Colon was originally signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent in August of 1995.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Tue., 7:05 p.m.: RH Bobby Parnell (1-2, 7.43) vs. RH Brad Salmon (8-6, 4.66)
Wed., 7:05 p.m.: LH Willie Collazo (4-8, 4.03) vs. LH Dusty Hughes (3-2, 4.89)
Thur., 7:05 p.m.: RH Nelson Figueroa (4-7, 4.43) vs. LH Tyler Lumsden (3-12, 6.88)
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