Royals May 10th Minors Recap

Omaha lost in ten innings to New Orleans, 4-3. With the game tied at 2-2, both teams scored a single run in the ninth to send the game into extra innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Matt Fields connected for a solo home run to tie the game back up.

Ramon Troncoso took the loss, as he allowed three straight singles with two outs in the 10th inning. In the bottom of the tenth, the Storm Chasers had the tying run on third base with two outs, but Jimmy Paredes flied out to end the game.

Omaha collected nine hits, with four players having two-hit games.

NW Arkansas beat Springfield for the second straight day, this time by a 6-3 score. The Naturals scored a run over the first five innings.

Whit Merrifield hit a leadoff home run in the third. Cheslor Cuthbert finished off the Naturals scoring in the 5th inning with a two-run homer. Jorge Bonifacio and Mark Threlkeld each had two hits in the win. Threlkeld doubled and drove in a run.

Andy Ferguson earned the win, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven. Malcom Culver earned his third save of the season, as he worked around two singles in the ninth by striking out two.

*Shortstop Orlando Calixte made his 2014 debut by going 0-for-4. He also grounded into a double play and committed an error.

Wilmington lost to visiting Lynchburg, 3-2. It could have been worse, but it could have been better.

In the top of the 8th, the Hillcats took a 3-0 lead on a two out solo home run. The two previous hitters each singled and were thrown out trying to steal second base.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Rocks loaded the bases with nobody out. Raul Mondesi came through with a two-run double, just their fourth hit of the game. However, Bubba Starling struck out for the third time. After Hunter Dozier was intentionally walked, Zane Evans grounded the very next pitch into an inning ending double play.

Outside of the eighth, the Blue Rocks really only had one scoring opportunity in the game and that came in the fourth when they had two on with two outs. However, Hillcats starter Jarrett Miller struck out the side (he struck out a career-high 12).

Daniel Stumpf was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out five. He did allow three stolen bases, though he did pick off one.

The Blue Rocks finish out this series on Sunday afternoon looking for a split with Sean Manaea on the mound.

*Kenny Diekroeger made his professional debut in the outfield when he pinch-hit for Daniel Rockett in the eighth (he walked) and then took his position in left field for the final inning. He had actually only played outfield once in his life, and that came in high school. He has been working in the outfield over the last few weeks at the request of the Royals front office.

**Infielder Michael Antonio was promoted from Lexington and outfielder Tyler Chism, who was just activated from the DL yesterday, was sent to Lexington. Chism went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his first game for the Legends tonight (batting ninth in left field).

Lexington lost to Greensboro, 3-1 in the first game of the series. With the game tied at 1-1, the Grasshoppers scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Both of the single runs came via homers. Fred Ford hit his fourth with two outs in the 6th inning. The Legends collected five hits, but the home run was the only extra base hit.

The loss negated the solid start by Cody Reed, who had been roughed up in his two previous (and only) starts. He allowed one run on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four and lowered his ERA to 9.64. Crawford Simmons took the loss, as he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks over three innings.