PCL1 Omaha Storm Chasers

Two more Lopez Homers not enough for win

Published on July 1, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


Omaha, NE– Mendy Lopez belted two more home runs, but it wasn't enough for the Omaha Royals Thursday night at Rosenblatt, as they dropped a 5-3 decision to the Central Division-leading Iowa Cubs in the opener of a three-game series.

Lopez, playing in his 25th game for Omaha since coming down from Kansas City, cut a 4-0 deficit in half with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. His solo shot with two outs in the eighth brought the Royals to within a run at 4-3. That blast gave the Royals shortstop eleven round-trippers in 99 at-bats with Omaha.

With two outs in the top of the ninth, former Royal Gookie Dawkins snapped a streak of 15 Iowa batters who were retired by singling through the left side of the infield off D.J. Carrasco. Casey Kopitzke followed with a single up the middle, sending Dawkins to second. Trenidad Hubbard's fourth hit of the night, a single to center field, plated Dawkins and made it 5-3.

Iowa closer Jason Szuminski retired the first two Omaha batters in the bottom of the ninth, before Rick Short walked, Alexis Gomez flared a broken bat single into left-center and Wilton Guerrero accepted a four-pitch base on balls to load the bases. Aaron Guiel, playing in the first game of a rehab assignment following laser surgery, struck out swinging at a 1-2 fastball to end the game.

Szuminski staggered to his eighth save. Sergio Mitre (2-1), who allowed two runs in five innings, got the win. Chris George (1-4), making his first start since coming down from KC, took the loss. He gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings, walking two and striking out six, including a dominant fifth inning when he fanned Iowa's 3-4-5 hitters consecutively.

Omaha (35-45), now 12 games behind Iowa (47-33), face their long-time rivals in game 2 of the series Friday at 7:05: Iowa LH Jimmy Anderson (4-3, 3.05) vs. Royals RH Jason Dickson (2-1, 4.30). Enjoy post-game fireworks, courtesy of Bellevue University. The pre-game show airs at 6:45 on Fox Sports Radio 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 1, 2004


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