Grizzlies Drop Opener In Omaha 4-1

OMAHA, NE - Omaha Royals (20-24) starter Heath Phillips hurled a complete game (his first since 2007) as he led his team to a 4-1 win over the Fresno Grizzlies (23-21) on Monday night at Rosenblatt Stadium. The lefty from Evansville, Indiana allowed seven hits, one run while walking two, and he struck out five. The win for Omaha snaps a six-game losing streak.

The Royals got on the board in the bottom of the first inning with one out when left fielder Scott Thorman belted a two-run homer to right field (3). That made it 2-0 Royals.

Fresno got on the board with two out in the top of the fourth inning on a two-out single by designated hitter Brian Horwitz, that scored third baseman Ryan Rohlinger. However, Horwitz was thrown out trying to go to second.

Omaha would add single runs in the sixth and eighth innings. Third baseman Travis Metcalfe delivered a bases loaded sacrifice fly in the sixth while first baseman Kila Ka'aihue (team-high 8) homered to right-center in the eighth.

Grizzlies starter Ryan Sadowski (3-2) suffered his first loss since his first start of the year to Tacoma on April 13th. He struck out eight which matches fellow starter Billy Sadler for most by a Grizzlies pitcher this year. He gave up four hits in six innings, three walks, and three runs (all earned).

Game two of this scheduled four-game series is on Tuesday night at Rosenblatt with the first pitch Fresno time at 4:35. Fresno left-hander Steve Hammond (2-2) gets the ball against Omaha lefty Bruce Chen (1-2).