Royals August 22nd Minors Recap

Omaha is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, as they lost to New Orleans, 8-6. Both teams scored three runs in the first inning.

The Storm Chasers collected 14 hits, as six players had multi-hit games. The top three in the order, Irving Falu, Mitch Maier, and Anthony Seratelli, went a combined 7-for-14 with six runs scored and two RBIs.

Doug Davis had one of his worst starts of the season. He allowed six runs on 12 hits and four walks over six innings. He did strike out eight.

NW Arkansas needed a walk off win to beat Springfield, 9-8. That was after the Naturals scored seven runs in the 3rd inning. Whit Merrifield (2-for-5) drove in the winning run with no outs in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Manny Pina and Michael Liberto each collected three hits. Liberto scored three runs, including the game winner. Merrifield and Yem Prades each had two hits in the win.

Wilmington lost another game in Frederick, this time by a score of 6-3. The Blue Rocks are clinging to a just a 1/2 game lead over the Keys.

Murray Watts (2-for-3) hit a solo homerun in the top of the 8th inning to tie the game (Keys starter Tyler Wilson had retired 17 in a row up until that point). That was after 2.1 hitless innings of relief by Antonio Cruz. However, the Keys came right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Shortstop Orlando Calixte went 2-for-4 with his second straight leadoff homerun.

Ejections were aplenty and apparently there was also a fight (benches cleared in the 5th inning after the Keys scored a run). The Blue Rocks saw catcher Juan Graterol ejected in the 5th inning, along with Frederick catcher Joe Oliveira. Here is what happened according to the Blue Rocks press release:

"A one-hopper came home from Brett Eibner.  The throw beat him slightly to the third base side of home plate.  Graterol could not corral the ball as (Garabez) Rosa brushed by him.  Rosa originally missed the plate and went back to touch it.  He was quickly met by Graterol who greeted him with a few punches to the head.  Benches cleared and both sides lingered on the field for several minutes."

In the 6th inning, Angel Franco and manager Vance Wilson were ejected for the Blue Rocks (this came after arguing a called third strike). These are the games I wish I was in attendance so I could witness what actually happened.

Kane County lost to Quad Cities, 6-2. The Cougars scored single runs in the first two innings.

The Cougars 3-4 hitters, Daniel Mateo and Julio Aparicio, went a combined 4-for-8 with two doubles. Neither scored a run.

One bright spot in the game was the relief outing of Cody Fassold. He pitched two scoreless innings of relief and struck out four.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Burlington’s 2-0 loss in Game 1 of their doubleheader. In their Game 2 win, Starling went 0-for-1. Royals pitcher Tyler Mack didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the 5th inning of Game 2. It was his first start (he signed on August 4th).