Royals Lose Pair to New Orleans
Published on May 12, 2003 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â The Omaha Royals were swept in a doubleheader by New Orleans Monday night, losing 5-4 and 12-3, as their losing streak at Rosenblatt Stadium grew to 12 games.
The Royals came close to ending their misery at home in the opener. Trailing 5-2 going to the bottom of the seventh, Omaha scored twice on Jed Hansen's RBI single and a fielder's choice grounder by Brent Abernathy. But, with runners at first and third and one out, Julius Matos grounded into a 1-4-3 double play to end the game.
Jonathan Johnson (3-3), who was lifted after Hansen's single, got the win. He allowed four runs on eight hits over six-plus innings. Kirk Bullinger relieved Johnson and notched his fourth save. Shawn Sedlacek (0-6) lost his fifth straight start, giving up five runs on eight hits over five-and-a-third innings. Brandon Berger went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a double in the loss for Omaha.
In the nightcap, the Zephyrs tied the biggest margin of victory for an Omaha opponent, which they had just set in a 14-5 romp on Sunday. New Orleans pounded out 15 hits, including five doubles and three home runs. John Buck went 3-for-4 with four RBI, three coming on his first Triple-A round-tripper, which was part of a six-run sixth inning. Henri Stanley had three hits â two doubles and a solo shot â and knocked in three runs.
The Royals had taken a 2-1 lead in the home half of the second on a two-run homer by Morgan Burkhart, who went 0-for-3 in the opener to see his hitting streak halted at 12 games. After Burkhart's homer, Alexis Gomez doubled and Hansen walked. However, Sandy Martinez then lined into a 3-6-3 triple play. It was the first triple play hit into by an Omaha batter since July 7th, 2001 at Rosenblatt, when Nick Ortiz lined into a 1-6-3 triple play started by Salt Lake pitcher Mark Lukasiewicz.
Scott Mullen (2-2) gave up nine hits and six runs (five earned) in four innings to take the loss. Miguel Saladin (2-2) tossed two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win for New Orleans. The Z's (23-15) have taken the first three games of this series and have won nine of their last 12 games. The Royals (17-22) have lost 13 of their last 15 and are now 4-15 at Rosenblatt Stadium on the season.
The series finale is Tuesday at 12:05 p.m.: New Orleans RH Rodrigo Rosario (3-3, 2.56) vs. Omaha RH Wes Obermueller (4-3, 3.57). Air time is 11:45 a.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
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