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| The Chasers celebrate after securing the win, knowing the division title could come later. (Photo: Minda Haas / Royal Blues) |
“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.”
The place erupted in cheers of appreciation for the man, the manager, who has a wry sense of humor, but underneath it all, desperately wants to see his players succeed.
Jirschele made a toast and was ceremoniously doused in a shower of champagne and beer. He took the Omaha Royals to the playoffs his first two seasons with the club in 1995-96. Omaha’s last trip to the playoffs was in 1999 when Ron Johnson was the manager. Jirschele, who first managed the team from 1995-97, returned as manager in 2003.
The last time Omaha won the league championship was 1990. They won the American Association with players such as Bob Hamelin, Kevin Appier, Mike Magnante, Russ Morman, Harvey Pulliam and Terry Shumpert.
Before the celebration, the Chasers blasted the Round Rock Express 12-2 at Werner Park – an incredible feat for a team that was missing Clint Robinson and Kila Ka’aihue in the lineup. But role players stepped up big. When it was all said and done, the Chasers had amassed 18 hits, more than they had collected in any previous game at Werner Park this season.
Right fielder Lorenzo Cain went 5-for-5 on the night for the Chasers, contributing five of the team’s 14 singles. Mertins went 3-for-5 with a run-scoring triple. Falu singled, tripled and drove in three. And Jarrod Dyson went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs of his own.
Mendoza (12-5) settled down after allowing doubles to the first three batters of the game, surrendering just one more hit over six innings of work. He finished the game with an ERA of 2.19, still more than a run better than his nearest competitor in the PCL.
“Really, we’ve been riding him the whole year,” Jirschele said. “He just finished up tonight like he has been all year. There’s a lot of luck involved in baseball. Those balls that were hit – [Esteban] German hit the ball down the right field line and a couple of balls got through, but he settled in and threw the ball well and shut them down after that.”
With players still celebrating in the background, Jirschele spoke about the Chasers’ 2011 season.
“It’s been a great year,” Jirschele said. “I mean, we started out with a team that had high expectations and we lost a lot of those guys. If you look at the big league club right now, a lot of them are up there, but everybody who stepped in has done a great job. I was just happy to finally clinch tonight.”
Regarding Robinson’s hip injury, Jirschele said they aren’t sure when Robinson will return, saying they will just have to wait and see. He said Ka’aihue (back injury) is a few days away from returning to action.
The Chasers and Express will finish up their four-game series on Thursday at Werner Park. First pitch from Werner Park is set for 7:05.
Box Score
Playoff Info:
Tickets for the Omaha vs. Round Rock American Conference Championship Series went on sale immediately. The first game of the postseason at Werner Park is scheduled for Friday, September 9 at 7:05 pm., with “if necessary” games set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1:05 pm and Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2:05 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Werner Park ticket office, by phone at (402) 738-5100 or online at www.omahastormchasers.com. Ticket office hours are 10 am to 6 pm.
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Josh Odson contributed a ton to this story.
