Royals June 28th Minors Recap
By Jen Nevius
Omaha was pounded by New Orleans, 12-1. Mike Montgomery took the loss, as he allowed 11 runs (four earned) on 11 hits over just 1.1 innings. He threw 54 pitches in the disastrous start.
The bullpen held the Zephyrs to one run on seven hits the rest of the way. In the middle, Louis Coleman threw two hitless innings of relief and struck out four. Twenty of his 27 pitches were strikes.
Newly-named Pacific Coast League All-Star Clint Robinson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and the lone RBI. Outfielder Wil Myers, along with pitchers Tommy Hottovy and Ryan Verdugo were also named to the PCL All-Star team.
Tonight was the Texas League All-Star Game and five NW Arkansas players got into the game. John Whittleman got the start at first base for the North and went 0-for-2. Carlo Testa got the start in left field and also went 0-for-2. Yem Prades played the whole game in right field and went 0-for-3. Those three batted 6-7-8 in the North’s order.
Mario Lisson, who replaced the injured Christian Colon on the ASG roster, went 1-for-2 at shortstop (he came off the bench in the 5th inning). Patrick Keating made an appearance in the 7th inning. He walked one in an inning of work.
The North beat the South 3-1. Former KC Royals minor leaguer Kevin Chapman, who was traded to Houston during spring training, pitched 1/3 of an inning. He allowed a hit in the 8th inning (to Lisson).
Wilmington launched a four-run 8th inning to come back and beat Lynchburg, 6-5. The tying run scored on a safety squeeze from Whit Merrifield (who went 3-for-3). The go ahead run scored via a throwing error on that same play. If you want to know more about the game, check out my live blog from the game. Jason Adam did not pick up a win, but thankfully did not pick up his tenth loss.
Blue Rocks manager Vance Wilson talked after the win about his newest players, the bunt by Merrifield, Adam’s struggles with the long ball, and the outings from relievers Nick Rogers and Sam Runion.
http://youtu.be/EwbYQ8Mz5JQ
Kane County came back with two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat Burlington, 6-5. With two outs, Julio Aparicio singled in the two runs.
Bryan Brickhouse got the start for the Cougars, but allowed four runs on six hits and three walks over just four innings. Cody Fassold followed with three hitless innings of relief. He walked two and struck out four.
*Bubba Starling’s debut netted 644 fans in Johnson City. He started in centerfield, batted third, and went 0-for-5 with a walk, a run scored, and three strikeouts. He was taken out for defense in the final inning. Catcher Cameron Gallagher also returned to the lineup (he went 2-for-6)