Royals overtake Austin in Southern Minny
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 19, 2003
ROCHESTER -- The Austin Greyhounds not only ended the Rochester Royals' dominance of the Southern Minny League back in the summer of 2001, but the 'Hounds themselves started taking over the role of hierarchy. Austin's rule, however, ran into a bit of a hiccup.
The Royals, behind staff ace Andy Larson, shut out the sixth-ranked Greyhounds, 5-0, to end a five-game losing streak against their league rivals Friday night at Mayo Field.
Rochester had its 55-game SML win streak stopped by Austin two years ago, and since then the Greyhounds had relinquished only one meeting with the Royals. On "Michael Restovich Night" at Mayo Field, the Royals got back their swagger and the lead in the Southern Minny League.
Seventh-ranked Rochester (13-5) moved in front with a 7-1 SML record, while Austin (17-13, 4-2) lost its second consecutive league game.
Larson combined with reliever Tim Welke for a four-hitter in which no Greyhound runner reached second base.
Royals leadoff hitter Travis Krahn hit a solo home run to lead off the fifth and that would prove to be enough against a stagnant Austin offense.
"It just wasn't our night," said Austin player/manager John Frein. "Larson dominated."
The left-hander scattered three singles, no walks and nine strikeouts over eight solid innings for the win. Welke allowed a leadoff single to Austin pinch-hitter Kyle Rizzi in the ninth, but worked his way out against the heart of the Greyhound order to close it down.
"They're one of the best teams in the state and we feel we're right there in that same category," said Royals player/coach Jeff Milene. "It's only one game, it's a league game, but we're still going to see them next Saturday.
"We'll take it with a grain of salt, but it's a big win for us because we just haven't beaten them in a while."
The Royals scratched together three two-out singles in the sixth for a run, and added three unearned tallies in the bottom of the eighth. Matt Raso went the distance for Austin in his first start in two weeks. He allowed eight singles and a home run while walking three and striking out four.
"I got some outs in the beginning, but I just couldn't finish them off," Raso said. "I was pitching from behind for most of the game."
Krahn's home run came on a 2-0 fastball that Raso left chest-high and right down the middle.
Austin's best threat to score came in the seventh when Jamie Morrison's flyout to the warning track in left field followed Tim Kaplan's two-out single. A home run would have tied the game at 2.
Morrison and designated hitter Bryan Toov had Austin's only other hits off Larson.
The Royals and Greyhounds took their turns at the Eau Claire Cavaliers Saturday at Marcusen Park in Austin. The 'Hounds have a make-up game at home tonight against Owatonna at 7:30 p.m.
Box Score:
ROYALS 5, GREYHOUNDS 0
AustinRochester
abrhbiabrhbi
Cummins cf3000Krahn 2b5122
Mllnbch 2b3000Magee cf5121
Rizzi ph1010Leimbek 1b5011
Cano 3b4000Adams rf5010
Selk lf4000Kangas ss3010
Kaplan 1b4010Gust c4010
Johnson pr0000Everson 3b3000
Morrison rf3010Milene dh3000
Toov dh3010
Young pr0100
Raso p0000
Larson p0000
Swank c2000Duda lf3210
Lunning ph1000
Frein ss3000
Totals31040Totals36594
Austin000000000--045
Rochester00001103x--590
Team LOB--Austin 5, Rochester 11. HR--Krahn (2).S--Everson. SB--Magee 2.
IPHRERBBSO
Austin
Raso L,2-3895234
Rochester
Larson W,6-1830009
Welke110000
WP--Raso. PB--Swank 3. HBP--Cummins (by Larson).