Clippers down the Chasers in Triple-A Championship

The 2011 Pacific Coast League Championship
trophy was on hand at Fire Barn in Omaha where
fans gathered to watch the game
(Photo: Lee Warren)

Albuquerque, N.M. – If it wasn’t already clear that the Triple-A National Championship Game was primarily an exhibition, it became so on Tuesday night when Luis Mendoza started for the Kansas City Royals rather than the Omaha Storm Chasers.

While Mendoza was mowing down the Tigers in a 10-2 win at Kauffman Stadium, Sean O’Sullivan struggled, after having nine days off, in an 8-3 losing effort for the Storm Chasers against the Columbus Clippers.

The one-game, nationally-televised playoff showcase started out well for Omaha, but the offense and pitching stalled out after a first-inning display reminiscent of performances throughout this year’s championship run.

Steve Rosenblatt says his dad would be thrilled with Werner Park

Steve Rosenblatt poses next to photos of Rosenblatt
Stadium in the Werner Park press box
(Photo: Lee Warren)

History roamed Werner Park recently.

Steve Rosenblatt, the son of Johnny Rosenblatt – the former mayor and city councilmember who also played a little baseball (he once faced Satchel Paige) and was the namesake for Rosenblatt Stadium – was at Werner Park to see the Omaha Storm Chasers take on the Round Rock Express in the PCL American Conference Championship Series.

Johnny died in 1979, but his legacy lives on through his son and through the efforts of the Storm Chasers’ staff, who named the first base concourse at Werner Park, “Rosenblatt Way,” in addition to installing Johnny Rosenblatt Legacy Seats. They’ve also displayed photos of Rosenblatt Stadium in the front office and in the press box.

The Storm Chasers win the PCL Championship

Mike Montgomery tossed five shutout innings
and picked up the win in Sacramento
(File photo: Brad Williams Photography)

West Sacramento, Calif. – On April 7, Eric Hosmer stood in left field at Werner Park and fielded questions from a few reporters. He was aware that Omaha fell just one game short of the playoffs in 2010, prompting him to tell us, “Really, everyone in this clubhouse has one goal – and that’s just to win a championship.”

Even though Hosmer was probably rooting the team on from Kansas City after hitting a walkoff RBI double to give the Royals a 7-6 victory over Chicago, the mission was still accomplished.

The Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the Sacramento River Cats 11-6 Friday night to sweep the series and become the Pacific Coast League champions, giving the team its first league title since 1990 and first ever PCL championship since joining the league in 1998.

Q & A with Clint Robinson

Clint Robinson has done about everything a guy can do in the minor leagues.

The 2007, 25th round draft pick has played on two championship teams (with the 2008 Burlington Bees and the 2010 NW Arkansas Naturals) and is currently one win away from another one with the Omaha Storm Chasers.

The 26-year-old designated hitter/first baseman was the Idaho Falls Play of the Year in 2007 and he won the Triple Crown (.335 / 29 HR / 98 RBIs) for the Naturals in 2010. He had another great season for Omaha in 2011 (23 HR and 100 RBIs), earning the right to represent Omaha at the PCL All-Star game this summer and he was named to the All-PCL team.

Unfortunately for him, he’s stuck behind Billy Butler and Eric Hosmer at the big league level and it doesn’t look like he’s going to get his shot with the Royals. All year long he has told media that until he gets to the big leagues, he feels like he has something to prove. On Monday, before the Chasers worked out at Werner Park for the PCL Championship Series, he spoke with Omaha Baseball 360 about his season and the position he finds himself in.

Chasers win Game 2 of the PCL Championship Series

Jarrod Dyson finished 4-for-6 with a homer,
four RBIs, three runs, a double and a stolen base
(Photo from Game 1: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Omaha, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers drew one step closer to winning its first Pacific Coast League championship Wednesday night at Werner Park when they trounced the Sacramento River Cats 15-4 in front of 4,039 fans.

The Chasers fell behind early. Omaha starter Vin Mazzaro struggled with his command in the first inning, in which he threw 30 pitches (16 balls). He gave up a single to Jermaine Mitchell to lead off the game. Mitchell stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Josh Donaldson. Adrian Cardenas then took Mazzaro deep to right field to give Sacramento an early 3-0 lead.

“I wasn’t real happy – you give them three runs in the first,” said Omaha manager Mike Jirschele after the game. “But you know what? Our guys battled back and got us one right away to put us within two. We had eight innings to go after that, so we were still in the game.”

Sean O'Sullivan's Michael Jackson impersonation

Since shooting the video of Mark Nasser dancing in celebration with the Storm Chasers after they won the American Conference Championship on Saturday, several people have asked me if I shot video of Sean O'Sullivan doing his Michael Jackson impersonation that took place just moments before. Sadly, I did not. But thankfully, the Storm Chasers did and they just uploaded the video to YouTube. So, here's what inspired Nasser's dance:

Omaha wins Game 1 of the PCL Championship Series

Luis Mendoza picked up his second win of the postseason
(File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Omaha, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers continue to win in the most unlikely of ways.

On Tuesday night, during Game 1 of the PCL Championship Series, David Lough ripped a ball down the right field line, but stumbled and fell on his way to second base in the seventh inning. He scrambled back to first in time and was followed by Lorenzo Cain, who hit a blooper into right field that Grant Greene was unable to corral and Lough was able to score what turned out to be the winning run all the way from first base.

The 3-2 win for the Chasers gives them a 1-0 lead over the Sacramento River Cats in the best of five, PCL Championship Series. And the 4,203 fans who were in attendance couldn’t have been happier. As has been the case throughout the playoffs, fans gave players standing ovations and were engaged with every pitch. Rob White, from the Omaha World Herald, wrote a blog post about this. Check it out if you get a chance.

PCL Championship Series pitching matchups

Game 1 Sept. 13 vs. Sac 7:05p RHP Mendoza (12-5, 2.18) vs. RHP Godfrey (14-3. 2.68)
Game 2 Sept. 14 vs. Sac. 7:05p RHP Mazzaro (7-2, 4.29) vs. RHP Ross (3-2, 7.61)
Game 3 Sept. 16 @ Sac. 9:05p LHP Montgomery (5-11, 5.32) RHP Banwart (9-9, 4.63)

If necessary:
Game 4 Sept. 17 @ Sac. 9:05p RHP O’Sullivan (8-2, 4.22) vs. TBD
Game 5 Sept. 18 @ Sac. 3:05p RHP Suppan (11-8, 4.78) vs. TBD

Interview with Luis Mendoza

Yesterday, I interviewed Luis Mendoza at Werner Park after the team worked out from 2:00-3:30 pm in preparation for the PCL Championship Series that begins tonight. Mendoza has had an incredible season (12-5, 2.18 ERA) and we spoke about his confidence level, what lead to his success and the possibility of him getting back to the big leagues.

Here are a few of his accomplishments this season:

• Named the PCL Pitcher of the Year
• Named to the All-PCL team
• Represented Omaha in the PCL All-Star game
• Won the PCL ERA crown. His 2.18 ERA was the 2nd-lowest in the league since 1990.
• He won Game 1 of the PCL American Conference Championship Series
• Since May 26, he is 10-0 on the road with a 1.08 ERA in 11 appearances
• Tossed a one-hitter at Memphis on July 18

I apologize for the sound quality. The wind was brutal.

Listen to the Royalman Report

The latest podcast episode of The Royalman Report has been released. Greg Schaum and Clint Scoles from The Pinetar Press discuss their 2011 minor league awards and you'll also hear interviews provided by Omaha Baseball 360 of Mike Jirschele, Sean O'Sullivan and Kila Ka'aihue. Definitely worth a listen if you are a die-hard Royals fan who wants to know what is going on in the minor leagues. You can listen to the episode below:



Or you can download it here and listen to it later.

Mark Nasser celebrates with the Storm Chasers

Omaha Storm Chasers' radio broadcaster Mark Nasser celebrates with the team after they clinched the PCL American Conference Championship on September 10, 2011. Nasser was having a little fun, as if he were in a dance off against pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, who did a Michael Jackson dance impersonation earlier.

Jeff Suppan's reaction at the 27 second mark is priceless.

Omaha wins the PCL American Conference Championship

The Storm Chasers pose for a celebratory picture
(Photo: Lee Warren)

Omaha, Neb. – Kila Ka’aihue’s two-run walkoff home run in the bottom of the tenth inning Saturday gave the Omaha Storm Chasers the Pacific Coast League American Conference Championship and while it wasn’t the shot heard around the world, if you were anywhere near Werner Park, you certainly heard the celebration.

Ka’iahue’s blast off Round Rock reliever Tanner Scheppers hit the right field foul pole, giving the Chasers a 4-2 win and a place in the PCL Championship Series, set to begin at Werner Park on Tuesday night.

“He’s got a good fastball,” Ka’aihue said after the game. “That’s all I was looking for. I was fortunate enough – I saw it the at bat before and I had a better swing this time ... If he’s going to get beat, I’m sure he can live with getting beat with his best pitch. And if he beats me with another pitch, he beats me with another pitch. He’s bringing his best pitch – this time I got him, the last time he got me.”

Ka'aihue blast gives Omaha the PCL American Conference Championship

Kila Ka'aihue hit a walkoff home run Saturday against Round Rock reliever Tanner Scheppers in the bottom of the 10th inning to clinch the PCL American Conference Championship for Omaha. They advance to the PCL Championship Series that begins on Tuesday night at Werner Park.

There are many videos and photos to come from the game, but here's the video of Ka'aihue's home run and the celebration on the field.

Chasers drop a heartbreaker in extra innings

Omaha, Neb. – Omaha had everything going its way Friday night – an engaged crowd creating an incredible playoff atmosphere, a 2-0 lead in the PCL American Conference Championship Series against Round Rock and a return home to Werner Park, but in the end they lost a 9-8 heartbreaker in eleven innings after the Storm Chasers committed two errors in the top of the 11th inning, allowing the Express to score three times.

With two outs in the Express half of the 11th inning, Brad Nelson hit a slow roller that somehow squirted through the legs of Joaquin Arias at first base, putting runners at the corners against Zach Miner. Chad Tracy took full advantage of the miscue and ripped a single to center field, giving the Express a 7-6 lead. Joey Butler, who is 8-for-11 (.727) in the series, followed with another single that Jarrod Dyson booted, allowing Nelson and Tracy to score to extend Round Rock’s lead to 9-6.

The Chasers scored two runs in the bottom of the eleventh, but it wasn’t quite enough. It was their second comeback attempt of the evening.

Omaha win puts them one win away from championship series

Manny Pina was 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs
(File photo: Lee Warren)

Round Rock, Tex. – Vin Mazzaro, Manny Pina and the Omaha Storm Chasers pulled out a hard-fought 7-2 victory over the Round Rock Express Thursday night, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

The Chasers will return home to Werner Park Friday, needing just one victory to advance to the Pacific Coast League Championship Series.

Just as they did in their Game 1 shutout, Omaha grabbed an early 3-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Kila Ka’aihue’s leadoff single was followed by a bunt base hit by Irving Falu and an infield single by Joaquin Arias, loading the bases with nobody out. Pina coaxed an eight-pitch walk to put the Chasers on the board, and Kurt Mertins and Jarrod Dyson followed with a sacrifice fly and a run-scoring sacrifice bunt, respectively, making it 3-0.

Mendoza and Robinson lead Omaha to Game 1 win

Clint Robinson blasted a two-run home run in the first inning
(File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Round Rock, Tex. – Luis Mendoza and Kelvin Herrera combined on a five-hit shutout, leading the Omaha Storm Chasers to a 4-0 Game 1 victory, in the best-of-five series, over the Round Rock Express at The Dell Diamond Wednesday night.

Mendoza, the PCL Pitcher of the Year, held the Express to five hits and two walks in seven shutout innings, striking out four batters. He improved his road record to 11-1 with a 1.91 ERA between the regular and postseason away from Werner Park, including 10-0 in his last 11 appearances. Mendoza (1-0) handed the game off to Royals’ Paul Splittorff Minor League Pitcher of the Year Kelvin Herrera, who needed just 22 pitches to toss two perfect innings with four strikeouts.

The Chasers got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs just four batters into the game against Round Rock starting and losing pitcher Eric Hurley (0-1).

Playoff information

The Chasers are 5-11 against Round Rock this season. They are 4-4 at home and 1-7 at Round Rock. 

Scheduled Starting Pitchers for the American Conference Championship Series
Game 1 Sept. 7 @ RR 7:05p RHP Luis Mendoza (12-5, 2.18) RHP Eric Hurley (8-3, 5.55)
Game 2 Sept. 8 @ RR 7:05p RHP Vin Mazzaro (7-2, 4.29) LHP Martin Perez (4-4, 6.43)
Game 3 Sept. 9 vs. RR 7:05p LHP M. Montgomery (5-11, 5.32) RHP Neil Ramirez (4-3, 3.68)
Game 4 Sept. 10 vs. RR 1:05p RHP Sean O’Sullivan (8-2, 4.22) RHP Brett Tomko (9-6, 6.15)
Game 5 Sept. 11 vs. RR 2:05p RHP Jeff Suppan (11-8, 4.78) LHP Zach Jackson (13-5, 5.51)

American Conference Championship Series
Game 1 Wednesday, September 7 @ Round Rock 7:05p
Game 2 Thursday, September 8 @ Round Rock 7:05p
Game 3 Friday, September 9 vs. ROUND ROCK 7:05p
Game 4 (if nec.) Saturday, September 10 vs. ROUND ROCK 1:05p
Game 5 (if nec.) Sunday, September 11 vs. ROUND ROCK 2:05p

Pacific Coast League Championship Series
Game 1 Tuesday, September 13 vs. SAC/RENO 7:05p
Game 2 Wednesday, September 14 vs. SAC/RENO 7:05p
Game 3 Friday, September 16 @ Sac/Reno TBD
Game 4 (if nec.) Saturday, September 17 @ Sac/Reno TBD
Game 5 (if nec.) Sunday, September 18 @ Sac/Reno TBD

Triple-A National Championship Game
Live on VERSUS Tuesday, September 20 PCL vs. IL @ ALBQ 7:05p

Chasers drop final game of the regular season

Kurt Mertins was 2-for-3 with a run scored
(File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Des Moines, IA – The regular season came to and a disappointing end Monday at Principal Park with a 7-2 loss to Iowa. The Chasers dropped their final two games to finish 79-63 and missed out on winning 80 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Brett Jackson’s lead off long ball in the home first got the scoring started and was the first home run allowed by Omaha starter Kevin Pucetas since June 30. The Cubs added another run in the second on a two-out RBI hit by their Canadian catcher Chris Robinson, who was honored on Chris Robinson Day at the ballpark.

The Chasers tied the game in the third on run-scoring hits by David Lough and Clint Robinson, who joined Chris Hatcher, who collected 106 RBIs in 1998, as the only players in franchise history to drive in 100 runs in a single season. However, Omaha was blanked over the final six innings by Jay Jackson, Nick Struck and Robert Coello.

Chasers shut down by Cubs' pitching

Jarrod Dyson drove in the only run for Omaha
(File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Des Moines, IA – Mario Mercedes tripled in the game-winning run in the sixth inning to lift Iowa to a 2-1 victory over Omaha Sunday night in the middle of a three-game series at Principal Park.

The Storm Chasers fell to 79-62 and will have one last chance to win 80-or-more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

D.J. LeMahieu’s run-scoring single in the first inning put the Cubs in front before Jarrod Dyson’s RBI double in third evened the count. From there, the Chasers were shut down by Chris Rusin, Andrew Cashner, Chris Carpenter and Scott Maine, who held them scoreless on six hits over the final six innings.

Omaha's offense explodes for 15 runs in Iowa

Irving Falu was 3-for-6 with a home run and two runs scored.
(File photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Des Moines, IA – Willy Lebron worked 2.2 scoreless innings in relief while Omaha’s offense poured it on in a 15-5 decision over Iowa Friday night in the opener of the final four-game series of the regular season at Principal Park.

The Storm Chasers collected 16 hits, drew nine walks and took advantage of three errors to improve their overall record to 79-61 and their record away from home to 39-29.

Irving Falu’s solo home run in the first inning got the scoring started before the visitors added a trio of runs with two outs in the third. David Lough tripled and scored after an errant throw to third base prior to Manny Pina’s two-run double that made it a 4-0 game.

Lou Montanez tripled in a run and scored during a three-run bottom half of the third that brought the Cubs back to within one. Iowa moved in front for the first time in the fourth when Marquez Smith delivered an RBI double and scored when Chris Robinson followed with a base hit.

Omaha drops final regular season home game

Kevin Pucetas threw four innings of scoreless relief,
extending his scoreless innings streak to 9.2.
(File photo: Brad Williams Photography)

Omaha, Neb. – A day after clinching the franchise’s first postseason berth in 12 years, the Storm Chasers got off to a hot start before running out of gas in a 9-4 defeat to the Round Rock Express. The Thursday night crowd of 8,927 pushed the Werner Park inaugural season attendance total to 410,326.

All of the Chasers’ scoring took place in the bottom of the first inning off eventual winning pitcher Martin Perez (4-4). After loading the bases with nobody out on two walks and a bunt single, Lorenzo Cain drove in a run with a ground out to make it 1-0 in favor of Omaha. Joaquin Arias followed with a two-run single and Manny Pina added a sacrifice fly, making it a 4-0 ballgame in the early going.

Perez held the Storm Chasers to just two hits and no walks in his next four innings, departing with a 6-4 lead after five innings of play. The 20-year-old lefty struck out five, keeping the Chasers off-balance with his excellent change-up.

Playoff schedule

American Conference Championship Series

Wed 9/7 – Game 1 @ Round Rock, 7:05 p.m. CDT

Thu 9/8 – Game 2 @ Round Rock, 7:05 p.m. CDT

Fri 9/9 – Game 3 vs. ROUND ROCK, 7:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park

Sat 9/10 – Game 4 vs. ROUND ROCK, 1:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park (if necessary)

Sun 9/11 – Game 5 vs. ROUND ROCK, 2:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park (if necessary)

 

Pacific Coast League Championship Series

Tue 9/13 – Game 1 vs. SACRAMENTO/RENO WINNER, 7:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park

Wed 9/14 – Game 2 vs. SACRAMENTO/RENO WINNER, 7:05 p.m. CDT at Werner Park

Thu 9/15 – (travel day)

Fri 9/16 – Game 3 @ Sacramento/Reno winner, Time TBD

Sat 9/17 – Game 4 @ Sacramento/Reno winner, Time TBD (if necessary)

Sun 9/18 – Game 5 @ Sacramento/Reno winner, Time TBD (if necessary)

 

Triple-A Championship Game

Tue 9/20 vs. International League Champion @ Albuquerque, 7:05 p.m. CDT – live on VERSUS Network

Chasers win the PCL American North

The Chasers celebrate after securing the win,
knowing the division title could come later.
(Photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues)

Omaha, Neb. – Mike Jirschele stood on a folding chair in the clubhouse, surrounded by smiling faces after his team defeated Round Rock and then learned Albuquerque had defeated Memphis, giving Omaha the PCL American North division title.

“First of all, thank you everybody,” Jirschele said. “This is for a great year. I appreciate everything you guys have done. I know some of you hate me, but whatever.”

Cheers and mock jeers filled the room. Celebrations varied throughout the night, but one of the most interesting came from Sean O’Sullivan who performed a Michael Jackson dance exhibition.

“We’ve got a ways to go yet,” Jirschele continued. “We’ve got to be ready for the playoffs. And it’s past curfew, you all owe me a hundred dollars.”