Royals April 22nd Minors Recap

Omaha erupted for nine runs in the top of the 6th inning to pull away from host Nashville, 12-3. In the sixth, the Storm Chasers only collected three hits, but were helped out by six walks and a wild pitch. They finish their series in Nashville on Tuesday.

Will Smith in Omaha. Photo by Minda Haas (mindahaas.net)

Five Storm Chasers collected multi-hit games. Brandon Wood hit his first homerun of the season, a three-run shot in the 6th inning. Their 3-5 hitters: Johnny Giavotella, Xavier Nady, and Anthony Seratelli went a combined 7-for-14 with with four runs scored and six RBIs. David Lough continued to stay hot by going 2-for-5 with two runs scored.

Will Smith returned from his one day stint with the big league KC Royals (he was the 26th man for yesterday’s doubleheader and did not pitch) to have a great start (Atahualpa Severino was put on the DL). He allowed one run on five hits over six innings. He struck out eight. The lone run came via a solo homerun by former Royals minor leaguer Jeff Bianchi. George Sherrill and Blaine Boyer each pitched a scoreless inning around Donnie Joseph‘s disastrous 8th inning (1IP, 3H, 2R, BB, 2K).

NW Arkansas blew a 4-0 lead and lost in Springfield, 9-6. The Naturals had tied the game at 6-6 in the top of the 7th inning on a Matt Fields two-run single (only to see the Cardinals come right back in the bottom of the inning).

It started out so well for Jason Adam, who did not allow a run over the first three innings. Then it all fell apart. He balked a runner into scoring position (which scored on a single) and then allowed a two-run homerun in the 4th inning. In the fifth, he left after allowing two more runs on two hits and a walk. Brooks Pounders entered in relief and allowed an inherited runner to score.

Pounders then allowed three runs of his own in the bottom of the 7th inning on two doubles and a homerun and took the loss. Matt Ridings made his Double-A debut with a scoreless inning of relief (he took Nick Rogers‘ spot on the roster, who was “sent” to rookie ball).

On offense in the loss, four players picked up two hits. Orlando Calixte, Rey Navarro, and Manny Pina each collected doubles.

Jorge Bonifacio with Wilmington in their 2013 home opener (Jen Nevius).

Down 7-2 heading into the 5th inning, Wilmington came back to beat Salem, 10-7 in their first game in Virginia. It took 11 innings to complete.

The Blue Rocks tied the game in the top of the 9th inning on a Jack Lopez RBI single. In the eleventh, Lane Adams reached on a fielding error (which scored a run) and Jorge Bonifacio followed with a two-run triple (he went 4-for-6 with five RBIs and fell a homerun short of the cycle). Adams hit his first homerun of the season, which cut their deficit to 7-6 in the 7th inning (he also stole a base).

After a poor start by Sam Selman (2.1IP, 5H, 7R, 4BB, 3K), the Blue Rocks bullpen was stellar. It started with Kellen Moen, who pitched four shutout innings. He also picked two runners off first base. Cody Fassold followed with 2.2 hitless innings of relief before Andrew Triggs finished with two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win.

Lexington had off on Monday and will begin a three-game series in Asheville on Tuesday.