AUGUST 8, 2006, 7:05 p.m.: OMAHA ROYALS (45-72) vs. Tacoma Rainiers (62-53)
HOME: 27-31 (35-37 in '05) AWAY: 18-41 (37-35 in '05) vs. Tacoma: 0-1 (3-1 in '05)
TONIGHT: The Royals host the Tacoma Rainiers in a 7:05 p.m. game at Rosenblatt Stadium. It's game 3 of a 4-game series, which Tacoma leads 2-0. It's ValPak 2-for-1 Tuesday; all fans get 2 tickets for the price of 1, plus the 1st 1,000 fans receive a photo of Royals outfielder Chad Allen. It's also O! What a Night, with the Omaha Chamber of Commerce giving away a trip to Kansas City, including tickets to a KC Royals game. Air time is 6:45 p.m. on Magic 1490 and at www.Oroyals.com.
LAST NIGHT: Bryan LaHair's 3-run homer with 2 outs in the top of the 9th lifted Tacoma over the Royals 5-3. The Rainiers trailed 3-1 in the 9th before Esteban Yan walked the 1st 2 batters and Jose Diaz issued another free pass to load the bases. With 1 out, T.J. Bohn's sacrifice fly cut Omaha's lead to a run and LaHair then capped a 3-for-4 night with a blast just over the center field wall off Diaz (0-1), who took the loss. Renee Cortez (5-3) picked up the win, despite allowing 3 hits and 2 unearned runs in the 8th as the Royals took a 3-1 lead. Jon Huber tossed a scoreless 9th inning to record his 9th save.
ROYALS REPORT: Going into last night's game, the Royals were 36-2 when leading after 8 innings. *** Both Yan and Diaz blew save opportunities last night. Yan, who had fired 7.1 scoreless innings of relief over his 1st 3 appearances with Omaha, gave up a run in the 7th that tied the game at 1-all and was charged with 2 more runs in the 9th. Diaz has a 9.82 ERA (4 ER in 3.2 IP) over his 1st 3 outings with Omaha. *** Kyle Middleton tossed 6.0 scoreless innings last night, but is still looking for his 1st Triple-A victory. He had posted an 11.49 ERA (20 ER in 15.2 IP) over his previous 3 starts. *** Mike Coolbaugh, who had the night off Monday, is riding a 15-game hitting streak. He's hitting .294 (20-68) with 2 homers and 8 RBI during the streak, which is 1 game shy of the longest of the season by a Royal (set by Shane Costa). *** Jeff Keppinger, who had his 13-game hit string halted on Sunday, was 2-for-4 with a run scored last night. Keppinger is hitting .459 (28-61) over his last 15 contests, with 15 RBI and 14 runs scored. In 18 games overall with Omaha, he's batting .417. *** Chad Allen has gone 4-for-8 with a home run and 5 RBI over the past 2 games, to climb back into the PCL Top 10 batting race, ranking 8th at .317. Allen had been in a 7-for-40 (.175) slide prior to the last 2 tilts. *** Kerry Robinson has 8 hits in his last 13 at-bats, jumping his season average from .303 to .316, which is tied for 9th in the PCL. *** Justin Huber, who missed 19 games due to a tight right hamstring, is 0-for-8 in 3 games since returning to action. *** The Royals have hit into 5 double plays in the 1st 2 games of this series and have hit into 9 twin killings over the past 3 contests.
STARTERS: RH Francisco Cruceta (10-7, 4.23) vs. RH Seth Etherton (1-2, 5.61)
Etherton makes his 5th start (9th appearance) for Omaha. In his last outing last Thursday, the 29-year old right-hander took the loss in a 5-0 defeat vs. Portland, the team he opened the season with (4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K). It was Etherton's 5th appearance and 1st start since coming off the disabled list. He was on the DL from June 26-July 18 with a sore elbow. In his 4 starts for Omaha, Etherton is 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA. He has no record and a 3.00 ERA in 4 relief appearances. KC acquired Etherton on May 26 from the Padres for a player to be named later or cash. Following the trade he made 2 starts for KC, going 1-1 with a 9.39 ERA, before being optioned to Omaha on June 5. Etherton began the season with Portland, going 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 9 starts. He had been signed by KC as a free agent last November, but was selected by San Diego in the Major League portion of the 2005 Rule 5 Draft on December 8. In 2005 Etherton made 3 starts for Oakland, going 1-1 with a 6.62 ERA. He spent most of last season with Sacramento, where he was 7-7 with a 2.72 ERA in 20 games (19 starts). Besides Oakland, he has pitched in the big leagues with Cincinnati (2003) and Anaheim (2000). Etherton attended the University of Southern California from 1995-1998 and was named Outstanding Pitcher for the Trojans 3 years in a row (1996-1998). He was selected by St. Louis in the 9th round of the 1997 draft, but did not sign. He signed with Anaheim as the Angels' 1st round pick (18th overall) in the 1998 draft.
PROBABLES FOR REMAINDER OF SERIES:
Wed., 12:05: RH Cha Seung Baek (11-4, 2.80) vs. RH Pat Mahomes (0-0, 6.35)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds will play host to what is being called the biggest "home" game of the season on Tuesday, August 15 when the team hosts the New Orleans Zephyrs at 6 p.m. The Sounds will hold a party at the game for the "Nashville 100" local volunteers of the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH) tapped to work on the brand-new Building Blocks project.
Building Blocks is a new partnership between Whirlpool Corporation, Habitat for Humanity International, and NAHFH. The program is designed to raise awareness of and help to eliminate substandard housing in the U.S. Each year, Building Blocks will recognize an outstanding Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the country by holding a weeklong build in that affiliate's community.
The 2006 event is a building blitz scheduled for November 5-10 with 300 volunteers: 100 from Whirlpool Corporation offices nationwide, 100 from HFH affiliates across the country, and 100 local volunteers. The goal is to build 10 houses in just five days - an entire block within the all-Habitat community of Providence Park. Building Blocks will become an annual event hosted by a different city each year. Nashville was selected as the first location.
"The Nashville Sounds have been tremendous supporters of Habitat over the years and wanted to do something special to commemorate this historic event," said Chris McCarthy, president and CEO of NAHFH. "As hosts, the Sounds are bringing a very committed group of volunteers together to enjoy the game and meet each other for the first time before they build 10 new homes in one week this fall. I can't think of a better way to kick off the November event."
"This event in collaboration with the Nashville Sounds is a great way to say 'thank you' to Nashville for the work that is being done here to provide affordable housing solutions to those in need," said Jeff Terry, senior manager for corporate commitment at the Whirlpool Corporation.
The Sounds have been a community partner of NAHFH for several years and will be building their third "Faith House" later this month using resources accumulated via nightly collections at Greer Stadium, the donation of a percentage of proceeds from the team's 2006 Faith Night ticket sales, and the contribution of area churches.
Tucson Sidewinders at Oklahoma RedHawks - 7:05 p.m.
AT&T Bricktown Ballpark - Oklahoma City
KEBC 1340 AM and the RedHawks Radio Network
HEADLINES: RedHawks pitch 4th shutout in 5 games ... Dickey starts tonight ... Arias stays hot
TODAY'S OPPONENT: The Tucson Sidewinders are the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have been a member of the Pacific Coast League since 1969. Last year they were 68-76 and finished second in the PC South.
TODAY'S GAME: The RedHawks continue their eight-game homestand against Tucson. This is their 118th game, 58th home game and third game against Tucson. The RedHawks are on a stretch where they will play 21 of 29 games at home.
LAST GAME: The RedHawks threw their fourth shutout in five games as they beat Tucson 2-0. Starting pitcher Robinson Tejeda went seven innings and gave up one hit with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He and Erasmo Ramirez held Tucson to two hits, their lowest total of the season. Joaquin Arias was two-for-three with an RBI to lead the RedHawks offensively.
VS. TUCSON: The RedHawks are 25-24 all-time against Tucson and 14-8 against them at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Tucson has not been to Oklahoma City since 2003 when they split a four-game series with the RedHawks. Tucson has never won a series in Oklahoma City (0-3-2) and the RedHawks have never won a series in Tucson (0-3-4). The RedHawks have not won a season series against Tucson since 2001 when they went 5-3 against the Sidewinders (0-2-2 since).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey makes his 15th start of the season for the RedHawks. In his last start Aug. 3 vs. Las Vegas, Dickey pitched a shutout. He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out six in a game the RedHawks won 2-0. The game was played in one hour, 52 minutes, tying for the shortest nine-inning game in team history (Sept. 3, 2001 vs. Memphis, SHO by Joaquin Benoit). Dickey is 5-1-1 with a 2.18 ERA (10 ER/41.1 IP) in seven games at home and 1-6 with a 7.45 ERA (45 ER/54.1 IP) in 10 games on the road. Micah Owings starts for Tucson .
HART WATCH: First baseman Jason Hart is tied for the most career home runs in RedHawks history with 57. Scott Sheldon hit 57 in 1998 and 1999. Hart's last home run was a solo homer Aug. 6 against Tucson off Mike Bacsik.
TEAM ERA: The RedHawks team ERA is 3.96 (449 ER/1019.2 IP). The lowest team ERA in club history was 4.21 in 2003. The 2003 team finished eighth in the PCL in ERA. This year's team is currently fifth.
10TH SHUTOUT: Last night's 2-0 win was the 10th shutout of the season by the RedHawks. It is the most shutouts the RedHawks have had in one season. They shut out their opponent nine times in 2004.
JAMIE BURKE: Catcher Jamie Burke has hits in 14 of his last 17 games. In his last 17 games, he is 23-for-64 (.359) with five doubles, a triple, three home runs and 13 RBIs. Burke had three doubles Aug. 2 vs. Las Vegas, the first RedHawk with three doubles in a game since Ed Sprague 5/2/02 vs. Nashville.
JOAQUIN ARIAS: Shortstop Joaquin Arias has hits in 13 of his last 16 games. In his last 16 games, he is 22-for-63 (.349) with six doubles, a triple and nine RBIs.
CLOSE GAMES: Forty-nine of Oklahoma 's 59 wins this season have come by four runs or less, including 25 one-run wins. Also, 43 of Oklahoma's 58 losses this season have come by four runs or less, including 17 by one run.
ONE-RUN WINS: The RedHawks lead the PCL in one-run wins with 25. Tucson is second with 23.
RADIO UPDATE: The RedHawks' flagship station for most games is KEBC 1340 AM. However, there are a few dates the flagship station will change due to scheduling conflicts. The RedHawks will be on AM 1000 KTOK Aug. 12, 19 and 26 and Sept. 2. They will be on KFXY 1640 AM Aug. 13, 20, 27 and Sept. 3.
DOT-DOT-DOTS: The RedHawks are 50-35 since Mike Boulanger took over as manager May 11 ... The RedHawks tied a season-low by allowing two hits in last night's game. They also gave up two hits Aug. 3 vs. Las Vegas.
PITCHING PROBABLES
Date Opponent RedHawks pitcher vs. Opposing pitcher
Tue., Aug. 8 Tucson RH R.A. Dickey (6-7, 5.17) vs. RH Micah Owings (7-0, 4.69)
Thu., Aug. 10 Tucson LH John Rheinecker (3-1, 2.89) vs. RH Dustin Nippert (12-5, 5.05)
The Albuquerque Isotopes return to Isotopes Park on Friday, August 11 for a four-game series with the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Though just four games long, the homestand is packed with electrifying promotions including a visit by Birdzerk!, several giveaways and two fireworks shows.
Day/Date Opponent Time Promotion
Friday, August 11 Nashville 7:05 PM Birdzerk! appearance presented by Bank of America / BCCPTA Clothing Bank
Saturday, August 12 Nashville 7:05 PM Outback Hats to first 3,000 fans courtesy Jackalope / Post-game fireworks
Sunday, August 13 Nashville 6:05 PM Back to School Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular / School Binder Giveaway
to first 2,500 fans courtesy Staples / Albuquerque Journal Autograph Session
BIRDZERK! APPEARANCE PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA / BCCPTA CLOTHING DRIVE
The homestand will take flight on Friday evening during the series opener between the 'Topes and Sounds when Birdzerk! makes his triumphant return to Isotopes Park, presented by Bank of America. Also, during each game of the homestand, the Bernalillo County Commission Parent Teacher Association will provide bins at the first and third base gates for people to donate clothing and school supplies for Albuquerque children. Those donating an item will receive a Buy 1, Get 1 Free Reserved Level Seat Voucher for the Monday, August 28 'Topes game vs. Nashville.
On Saturday, keep that bright Albuquerque sun out of your eyes and make a fashion statement at the same time with an Isotopes Outback Hat, given to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Jackalope. After the game, stick around to enjoy another round of spectacular fireworks.
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR / ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL AUTOGRAPH SESSION
With the summer approaching a end, join us at the ballpark on Sunday as the Isotopes present their Back to School Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular. The first 2,500 fans through the turnstiles will be handed a sturdy and stylish Isotopes School Binder, thanks to Staples. Also, for the second-straight night, the 'Topes will light up the night sky with a breathtaking post-game fireworks session. If that were not enough, be sure to arrive to the park early on Sunday for the final Albuquerque Journal Autograph Session of the 2006 season. When the gates open at 5 p.m., infielder Edgar Gonzalez and pitcher Ross Wolf will be on the concourse signing autographs for fans.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Nashville Sounds suffered a 6-1 defeat at the hands of the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday afternoon at Raley Field.
The loss was the second in a row for Nashville (63-55), which had its lead temporarily reduced to two games over Iowa pending the result of the Cubs' game against Portland on Tuesday evening.
River Cats starter Jason Windsor (11-0) continued his undefeated string in Pacific Coast League play, holding Nashville to one run on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out eight batters while walking only one in his outing.
Kennard Bibbs paced the Nashville offense by matching his career high with four hits on the afternoon. The remainder of the Sounds' lineup collected only four cumulative knocks.
The Sounds' struggles in scoring opportunities continued. One day after leaving eight men on second or third, Nashville left six of its nine stranded in scoring position.
Sacramento grabbed a 3-0 lead against former River Cat Justin Lehr, who pitched for the club in 2003 & 2004, in the bottom of the first inning. Scott McClain and Jason Perry (team-best 3-for-4) each contributed RBI singles and Jeremy Brown added a sacrifice fly in the frame.
Nashville left the bases loaded in the third as Windsor struck out Laynce Nix and induced an inning-ending groundout from Graham Koonce to escape the jam. It was the third time in the last two games that the Sounds left the bags full.
River Cats left fielder Doug Clark upped the home team's lead to 5-0 in the fourth with a two-out, two-run homer to right-center on a 3-2 pitch from Lehr. The blast, which scored Mike Rouse, was Clark's 10th of the year.
The Nashville defense had its season-best stretch of 56 1/3 consecutive innings without an error snapped in the bottom of the fifth inning on a failed pickoff attempt. McClain, who was on second, advanced to third when Barnwell was unable to glove Lehr's throw and scored an unearned run on Perry's second run-scoring single of the afternoon to up the lead to 6-0.
The Sounds finally registered a run in the top of the seventh when Bibbs' third hit of the afternoon, a single to left, scored Mark Johnson from third to chase Windsor and make it a 6-1 game.
Shortstop Chris Barnwell singled in the third inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games, matching Vinny Rottino (DNP) for the club's longest active streak.
Jermaine Clark singled in the seventh to pull within one knock of the 1,000-hit plateau in his minor-league career.
Johnson, who went 2-for-3 at the plate, made his first career appearance in the outfield, starting in left field for the Sounds. He successfully handled both fly balls hit his way on the afternoon. The catcher had previously appeared at first base and third base in his 13-year career.
Lehr (3-6) suffered his third straight losing start for the Sounds after surrendering a season-high six runs (five earned) on eight hits over five innings of work in his first career outing against his former club.
Dennis Sarfate turned in his second consecutive strong rehab outing for Nashville, working two scoreless innings including three strikeouts to close out the game.
The teams will enjoy a scheduled mid-series off day on Wednesday before wrapping up the four-game set on Thursday evening with a 9:05 p.m. CT finale. Right-hander Ben Hendrickson (9-5, 2.18) will toe the rubber for the Sounds and square off against Sacramento right-hander Ben Fritz (4-4, 5.69).
West Sacramento, Calif. - The Sacramento River Cats defeated the Nashville Sounds, 6-1 on Tuesday at Raley Field. Sacramento starter Jason Windsor earned the victory to move to 11-0 at Triple-A this season (15-1 overall in the minor leagues). The Cats took an early 3-run lead in the bottom of the 1st inning and belted out a total of 6 runs on 8 hits throughout the game, including a 2-run homer to right field by outfielder Doug Clark (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR, SO) in the 4th. The meat of the Sacramento lineup, 4 and 5-hole hitters Scott McClain and Jason Perry, went a combined 5-for-8 with 2 runs and 3 RBI. Windsor held Nashville scoreless through 6 2/3 innings before Sounds outfielder Kennard Bibbs singled to bring home Mark Johnson for the only Nashville run of the game. Kazuhito Tadano and Mark Watson combined to throw 2 1/3 innings of shutout relief and allowed just 1 hit between them. With the victory, the Cats move to 64-54 on the season heading in to their final game against the Sounds on Thursday.
Next Game at Raley Field
August 10th vs. Nashville Sounds - 7:05 PM (Gates open at 6:00 PM) - Crystal $1 Family Feast with $1 Hot dogs and $1 Ice Cream, SMUD 60th Anniversary Celebration, and River Cats Idol presented by Heineken
Thursday's Probable Starters - Sacramento: RHP Ben Fritz (4-4, 5.69) vs. Nashville: RHP Ben Hendrickson (9-5, 2.18)
Joaquin Arias delivered his second walk-off out of the homestand in the Oklahoma RedHawks' 3-2 win over the Tucson Sidewinders Tuesday at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.
Arias' one-out sacrifice fly in the ninth inning brought home Freddy Guzman with the winning run. Guzman had led off the inning with a triple. Arias finished the game three-for-four with two RBIs.
Arias beat out a double-play ball that allowed the game-winning run to score Aug. 2 against Las Vegas. In his last 17 games, Arias is 25-for-67 (.373) with 11 RBIs.
The RedHawks fell behind 2-0 in the fourth inning when Tucson's Robby Hammock hit a two-run home run to left field that went out of AT&T Bricktown Ballpark and into an ally beyond the left field bleachers.
The home run ended a 14-inning shutout streak for RedHawk starter Derek Lee. Lee started on three-days rest after scheduled starter R.A. Dickey returned home to Nashville, Tenn., to be with his family.
The RedHawks scored a run in the fifth inning on a single by Arias. They tied the game in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Adam Hyzdu.
Lee went six innings and gave up two runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Relief pitcher Kameron Loe earned the win, going two innings and giving up no runs on one hit with a strikeout.
The RedHawks and Sidewinders will complete their series at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The two teams have Wednesday off.
Oklahoma City - Joaquin Arias' sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning scored Freddy Guzman and gave the Oklahoma Redhawks a 3-2 win over the Sidewinders on Tuesday night at Bricktown Ballaprk. The loss drops Tucson to 74-42 on the season and trims their lead over Sacramento to 11 games in the Pacific Southern Division.
Guzman opened the bottom of the ninth with a triple to right-center. After Doug Slaten struck out Adrian Brown, Arias lined Slaten's first pitch to center field. Guzman beat Chris Young's throw to the plate for the winning run.
Slaten (1-1) was tagged with his first Triple-A defeat. He worked an inning and two thirds and gave up just the one hit.
Kameron Loe worked two scoreless innings in relief for the win.
The Sidewinders had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth. Miguel Montero singled and Robby Hammock was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second with no outs. After Montero was out at third on Kenny Perez's sacrifice attempt, Oklahoma catcher Jamie Burke allowed a passed ball which moved the runners up to second and third. Loe (1-1) then struck out Brito and induced a ground ball to short from Matt Erickson.
Micah Owings started for Tucson and went six innings. He gave up just one run on nine hits and escaped a bases loaded, one out situation in the bottom of the sixth with no runs.
Robby Hammock's 18th home run of the season in the top of the fourth gave the Sidewinders their only offense of the night.
The Sidewinders have an off day tomorrow before concluding their four game series with the Redhawks on Thursday night at Bricktown Ballaprk. Right-hander Dustin Nippert (12-5 5.05) starts for Tucson against left-hander John Rheinecker (3-1 2.89) for Oklahoma. First pitch is at 5:05 Tucson time. The game will air on a tape delayed basis on COOL 1450 beginning at 6:00.
Sledge, Cust belt Beavers to victory in ninth
08/08/06 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
DES MOINES, Iowa - Terrmel Sledge hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth inning and Jack Cust added a pair of two-run homers to lead the Portland Beavers to a 10-7 victory over the Iowa Cubs Tuesday night at Principal Park.
Portland tallied a season-high 17 hits and broke a three-game losing streak with the come-from-behind win.
The Beavers (57-60) trailed 7-5 going into the ninth before Bobby Hill and Manny Alexander singled to get on base for Sledge's go-ahead homer, his first since rejoining the Beavers from San Diego on Aug. 4. Cust, who hit a two-run home run in the eighth, added a second two-run clout in the ninth to cap the five-run inning. Cust has six home runs on the road trip, which concludes Wednesday at 10 a.m. (PDT).
Luke Allen was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Alexander, who has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games, was 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
Scott Cassidy (1-0) worked two innings of relief for the win. Kerry Ligtenberg (3-4) suffered the loss and his third blown save after allowing home runs to Sledge and Cust in the ninth.
The Beavers led 3-2 after four innings, but the Cubs (60-57) tied the game on Felix Pie's RBI double in the fifth and went up 6-3 after scoring three runs in the sixth. With the bases loaded, a wild pitch by Jason Anderson allowed Michael Restovich to score from third. Buck Coats followed with an RBI single and Casey McGehee later scored on a sac fly from Micah Hoffpauir.
Cust trimmed the Beavers' deficit to a run in the eighth with his two-run blast off former Beaver Brandon Emanuel, but Iowa pushed its lead to 7-5 on an RBI single by Jose Reyes in the bottom of the frame.
NOTES: Cust, who homered three times Friday at Omaha, has four multi-home run games this season ... Cassidy gave up a run in the eighth before striking out the side in order in the ninth. He finished with five strikeouts ... Portland improved to 5-52 when trailing after eight innings ... Cust, who had seven RBIs in 28 games in July, already has 11 in August ... Ligtenberg's ERA inflated from 2.89 to 3.83 by allowing five runs over 1/3 of an inning.
Pacific Coast League news 8/09
Pacific Coast League news 8/09
