Royals pitchers chalk up 17 K's in win over Z's
May 29, 2004 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA â Four Omaha Royals pitchers combined to record a season-high 17 strikeouts Friday night in the opener of a four-game series with the New Orleans Zephyrs. Jarrod Patterson's grand slam capped a six-run second inning and the Royals went on to an 8-3 win in front of 6,068 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium.
Omaha starter Chris George gave up two hits and a wild pitch in the first inning that allowed New Orleans to take a 1-0 lead. George also walked a batter in the first, but settled down to pitch a perfect second inning, which included his third strikeout of the night. The 24-year old lefty was lifted after just 27 pitches, and while there is no official word on the reason, news was coming out of Kansas City at about the same time that Brian Anderson is being moved to the parent club's bullpen and either George or right-hander Jamey Wright could be in line for a promotion.
Omaha had already taken a 2-1 lead on Carlos Hernandez (4-1) in the second inning when Patterson smacked his fourth homer â and second slam â of the season to make it 6-1. Hernandez, who entered the night with the PCL's 5th best ERA (2.65) after his first nine starts, wound up surrendering eight runs on nine hits over four frames. That hiked his ERA to 3.76.
Royals right-hander Jimmy Serrano followed George to the hill and baffled the Zephyrs with his breaking pitch, notching a season-high seven K's in three one-hit innings of scoreless relief. Ryan Bukvich yielded a two-run homer to Phil Hiatt in the sixth, but added three more whiffs. Rudy Seanez fired two hitless frames and fanned four batters, including Mike Coolbaugh to end the game as he struck out for the fourth time in as many trips to the plate.
The 17 strikeouts were the most K's in a game for Omaha since April 8, 1999 at Las Vegas, when 18 strikeouts were recorded in an eleven-inning, 3-2 loss. For a nine-inning contest, the 17 punchouts were the most since Royals pitchers fanned 17 Tucson batters on June 17, 1998 in a 9-1 romp at Rosenblatt.
At the plate Friday night, Jed Hansen had two hits to keep his hitting streak rolling at nine games. Gookie Dawkins, Alberto Castillo and Alexis Gomez also contributed two hits apiece to Omaha's 12-hit attack.
Omaha (21-28) faces New Orleans (22-27) in game 2 of the series Saturday night at 6:05: Z's right-hander Chris Enochs (2-4, 3.48) vs. Royals RH Doug Linton (2-4, 10.58). Gates open at 4:00 p.m. and the 1st 1,500 fans receive free Royals Batting Helmets, courtesy of Dodge. 1st pitch is 6:05 and the pre-game show airs at 5:45 on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and on www.Oroyals.com.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2004
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- Sidewinders outfielder Luis Terrero suspended - Tucson Sidewinders
- Curtis Pride to join Stingers - Salt Lake Bees
- KC Royals annual tryout camp June 3 at Rosenblatt - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Beavers drop series opener to Tucson, 4-2 - Portland Beavers
- Trappers game suspended - Edmonton Trappers
- Sidewinders Edge Beavers 4-2 - Tucson Sidewinders
- Royals pitchers chalk up 17 K's in win over Z's - Omaha Storm Chasers
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