August 31 Notes: Royals at New Orleans
LAST NIGHT: George Lombard delivered a go-ahead single in the bottom of the 8th, giving New Orleans a 5-4 victory over the Royals. Omaha had tied the contest at 4-all by scoring 3 runs in the 6th, 2 coming home on a double by Ricky Bell, who had 3 hits on the night. In the home 8th, Royals reliever Eddie Yarnall (2-3) committed a fielding error, allowing Tyrell Godwin to reach with 1 out. Godwin stole second base on scored the decisive run on Lombard's base hit up the middle. Beaver City, Nebraska native Travis Hughes (2-6) suffered a blown save by surrendering an unearned run to Omaha in the 6th, but blanked the Royals in the 7th and 8th to get the win. Roy Corcoran worked around a leadoff walk in the 9th inning to register his 9th save of the season.
ROYALS REPORT: Mike Wood lasted 5.0 innings in his 3rd rehab assignment start with Omaha and his 5th rehab start overall for KC. He gave up 6 hits and 4 runs, striking out 2 batters. Wood is 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA after 3 outings for Omaha. *** Congratulations to former Husker and current Wichita third baseman Alex Gordon, for being named the Texas League Player of the Year. Gordon is ranked in the top 5 in 13 Texas League offensive categories. In 126 games through last night, he's hitting .322 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI. Gordon is the second Wrangler to ever win the award, joining Johnny Damon (1995). *** Yarnall's 8th inning error last night was the 3rd of the game for Omaha and the 150th error committed by the Royals in 139 games this season. However, the franchise record for most errors in a season is not in jeopardy: Omaha made a whopping 185 miscues in the field during its 1970 American Association Championship season. *** According to www.kcroyals.com, Kansas City has announced that Omaha reliever Ryan Braun will be promoted from Omaha once outfielder Reggie Sanders is moved to the 60-day disabled list on Friday. Braun, who hurled 2.0 scoreless innings Wednesday night, is 0-2 with a 2.16 ERA and 3 saves in 17 appearances for the O-Royals.
STARTERS: RH Pat Mahomes (1-1, 5.08) vs. RH Andrew Good (9-9, 4.78)
Mahomes, who had his contract purchased by KC on August 4th from the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League, makes his 5th start (6th appearance) for Omaha. The 36-year old right-hander's last outing came in relief at Oklahoma last Friday, following a rehab start by Wood. Mahomes got the win in a 4-2 triumph (5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K). His previous trip to the hill was a start vs. the Zephyrs on August 20, when he was not involved in the decision as Omaha needed 11 innings to win 8-7. Mahomes was 9-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 18 starts for Long Island. At the time he was acquired by KC, he led the league in complete games (4) and innings pitched (125.0), while his 9 wins were tied for 2nd. Mahomes became the 4th Omaha pitcher to begin this season in the Atlantic League, joining Brian Boehringer and Donovan Osborne (Bridgeport) and Andy Van Hekken (Somerset). In 2005, Mahomes pitched for Las Vegas, going 9-9 with a 5.35 ERA and 1 save in 40 games (15 starts). He has pitched in the big leagues with the Twins (1992-96), Red Sox (1996-97), Mets (1999-2000), Rangers (2001), Cubs (2002) and most recently the Pirates (2003). Besides Las Vegas, he has pitched in the PCL for Portland, Salt Lake, Iowa, Nashville, Edmonton and Albuquerque. Mahomes was the Twins' 8th round pick in the 1988 draft out of Lindale (TX) High School.
PROBABLES FOR SERIES VS. IOWA:
Fri., 7:05: TBA vs. LH Andy Van Hekken (3-4, 4.44)
Sat., 6:05: RH Jae-Kuk Ryu (7-8, 3.36) vs. RH Kyle Middleton (0-7, 5.27)
Sun., 1:35: RH Randy Wells (4-5, 5.29) vs. RH Bobby Keppel (6-6, 5.44)
Mon., 1:35: TBA vs. TBA