Omaha draws to within 1.5 games of first place Iowa

Scott Thorman
(Photo: Eldon Lindsay/
omahastormchasers.com)

Don’t close the history books on baseball at Rosenblatt Stadium quite yet. The Omaha Royals might have a new chapter to add. With the Royals dramatic 2-0 win in the bottom of the 11th inning last night on a walk off home run by Scott Thorman off Iowa reliever Jeff Stevens, they have moved to within 1.5 games of PCL American North division leading Iowa Cubs.

The Royals have 12 games remaining in the season – eight of which are at home and four of those are against the Cubs. Including the win last night, the Royals are 61-41 at night and eight of their next nine games are night games. The final three games of the season at Oklahoma City are day games.

Omaha was a last a playoff contender in 2005 when they finished three games back. The last time they won their division was 1999 when they finished with an 81-60 record. Their 73-59 record this season is a quite a turnaround from 2009 when the Royals finished in last place with a 64-80 record, 13 games back.

One of the biggest turnarounds this season has been the bullpen. In 2009, the pen was 20-38 with a 4.51 ERA and 24 blown saves. This year, the pen is 32-21 with a 3.53 ERA and 11 blown saves. Last night, the pen came through again. Louis Coleman tossed three scoreless innings and Tim Collins closed out the game with a scoreless 11th, picking up his second win of the season.

But starter Anthony Lerew was equally impressive. He threw seven shutout innings, giving up six hits and three walks while striking out six. He lowered his league leading ERA to 2.72.

In the bottom of the 11th, Ed Lucas drew a two-out walk, setting the stage for Thorman who connected on a 1-0 pitch from Stevens and drove it over the wall in right center field. Here’s a video of his home run: