Stingers blast Omaha pitchers for 22 runs, set team records

Extended batting practice, which started Friday night at Franklin Covey Field, resumed Saturday night.

The Stingers came out on top of another slugfest, 22-10, over the Omaha Royals, as offensive records continued to fall.

The Stingers broke the franchise record for most doubles, with 10. The previous high was 8.

They also broke the franchise record for most extra-base hits, with 14. The previous high was 11.

They set a season-high for runs scored.

And the combined runs was a franchise high, surpassing the 31 totaled in a 28-3 Salt Lake victory over Colorado Springs in 1994.

Obviously, the Royals didn't hit too shabby, either. They just weren't in milestone mode, and that's what it was going to take to beat the Stingers on this evening, one night after a three-and-a-half hour, 13-11 marathon.

This one lasted a mere three hours.

Now, keep in mind that this wasn't a case of the Stingers coming up against the league's worst pitching team. The Royals rank sixth in the PCL in team ERA, so Salt Lake's offensive explosion deserves credit. They whacked the ball against some decent pitchers.

At the moment, they look like they could hit anybody.

"The whole team's swinging the bat great," said Salt Lake's Adam Riggs, who had four doubles. "We kind of caught fire at the same time."

Salt Lake manager Mike Brumley said the offensive outburst was nice to see, especially after they'd scored just 17 runs in their previous nine games.

"It was bound to turn," he said. "It always goes in cycles."

Strange as it may sound, one of the keys to the victory was having starter Jake Woods last long enough to give the bullpen, which got a workout Friday, a little rest.

Woods threw five innings, gave up nine earned runs and left with an 18-9 lead, and got the win.

"Our offense got him through five, basically," said Brumley.

That offense included Casey Kotchman having his second straight three-hit night, with four RBIs, and Shane Halter going five-for-five, with two homers and three RBIs.

Brumley acknowledged it's nice to see his team break out, even if it's a little late for them to get back in the PCL race.

"I've had knots in my stomach since about May 1, just because it's been a tough year," he said. "I'm happy to see the guys having some success."

The series continues today with a 2 p.m. game at Franklin Covey Field. Chris Bootcheck (7-7, 5.17 ERA) will be on the mound for Salt Lake, faced by Omaha's Jason Ryan (2-7, 6.67).

NOTES: Andres Galarraga started at first base for Salt Lake but came out after six innings after going 2-for-5 at the plate . . . Barry Wesson started in centerfield for the Stingers and made a couple nice defensive plays before coming out with a tight hamstring.

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E-mail: rich@desnews.com