Royals July 4th Minors Recap

Omaha won the opener of their five-game road series in Iowa, 11-2. The Storm Chasers led 6-0 after two innings.

Doug Davis continues to pitch well for the Storm Chasers, as he picked up his fifth win of the season. He allowed two runs on eight hits and four walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out five. I know nobody wants to see a veteran called up to the KC Royals, but maybe it’s time to give Davis a chance. He’s pitched well and he can’t be any worse than what the Royals are throwing out there everyday.

Johnny Giavotella fell a triple short of the cycle, as he went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. David Lough also collected three hits. Lorenzo Cain continues his rehab with Omaha and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, as he led off and played centerfield.

NW Arkansas was swept at San Antonio, as they lost the series finale, 4-2. It started out rough for Chris Dwyer after he allowed a solo homerun in the bottom of the first inning that tied the game at 1-1. He didn’t allow another run until the 6th inning that tied the game at 2-2.

Maybe Brian Fletcher has regained the stroke that got him promoted? He went 2-for-4 with his first Double-A homerun.

Wilmington lost the first game of a three-game series in Lynchburg, 11-7. The Hillcats led 9-0 after the 3rd inning against Blue Rocks starter Chase Boruff (2.1IP, 7H, 9R, 7ER, 0BB, 1K, 3HR).

The Blue Rocks made it a game in the 9th inning by scoring five runs (two on a two out homerun by Angel Franco).

Reliever Cole White, who was injured in Frederick on July 2nd during the 13th inning of their win, was put on the DL with a shoulder injury. Taking his place is Andrew Stueve from Burlington (who drove from NC to meet the team today). Let’s just say he has not pitched well so far in 2012 (his combined numbers between Kane County and Burlington: 7.89 ERA in 21.2 innings. He allowed 33 hits, but did strike out 18). However tonight in Lynchburg, he pitched 4.2 hitless innings of relief.

Kane County lost their series opener at home against Quad Cities, 12-7. The Cougars couldn’t capitalize on 11 hits and six River Bandits errors. It was a bad pitching performance for all four Cougars pitchers, as every River Bandits hitter collected at least one hit.

Justin Trapp and Edul Escobar each collected two hits, with Escobar hitting his first homerun of the season. Jorge Bonifacio 3-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs in the loss.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling made his home debut for Burlington in the Royals 17-2 win. He went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, a triple, two walks, and an RBI.