PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Royals miss chances to score in one-run defeat

June 4, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


OMAHA – Entering Thursday night's game at Rosenblatt Stadium, the Omaha Royals weren't hitting very well this season with runners in scoring position, at least not until the bases were loaded. On this night, the Royals even missed a couple of golden scoring opportunities with the bases full and wound up losing to 3-2 to the Oklahoma RedHawks before 3,450 fans.

The Royals were hitting just .227 with runners in scoring position, but a respectable .314 with the bases loaded, through their first 54 games. Thursday night, Oklahoma scored two unearned runs off new Omaha starter Jason Dickson (0-1) in the top of the fifth to take the 3-2 lead. The Royals loaded the bases with one out in their half of the fifth on a leadoff bunt single by Corey Hart and a pair of one-out walks issued by lefty Sam Narron. However, the threat ended when Narron (2-0) got Calvin Pickering to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Oklahoma missed its own chance to hike the lead in the top of the sixth, as Dickson worked out of a bases loaded, one out jam by striking out Santiago Perez and retiring Manny Alexander on a liner to right.

Narron left in the bottom of the seventh after allowing each of the first three Royals batters to reach base – a single by Alberto Castillo, a sacrifice bunt by Corey Hart with Hart safe at first on Narron's throwing error and a four-pitch walk to David DeJesus. But, right-hander Keith Stamler slammed the door on Omaha, inducing a 1-2-3 double play grounder by Damian Jackson and getting Jed Hansen to line out to third. Hansen had smacked his 12th home run of the season and fourth in the last five games – a two-run shot – in the third to break a scoreless tie.

Oklahoma relievers Erick Burke and Todd Williams combined to retire all six Royals who came to the plate the last two innings, the final four on strikes, with Williams earning his eighth save. The RedHawks (31-23) improved to 8-2 in one-run games, while the Royals (23-32) are just 3-5.

The series and home stand finale is Friday at 7:05 p.m.: Oklahoma RH Nick Regilio (3-3, 5.79) vs. Royals RH Kris Wilson (2-7, 7.78). The pre-game show airs at 6:45 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and www.Oroyals.com. Post-game fireworks will be presented by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 4, 2004


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