Royals May 17th Minors Recap

Omaha lost to Memphis, 6-2. The Storm Chasers actually out-hit the Redbirds, 9-8, but had just one extra base hit (to their three).

Francisley Bueno, still on a rehab assignment, took the loss, allowing three runs in the bottom of the second. The Redbirds sent eight men to the plate, picking up three hits (two doubles), a hit batter, and a walk. Kameron Loe took over for the next three innings and allowed just one base runner, a leadoff single in the fourth.

Justin Marks entered in the sixth and allowed a run on an errant throw by Jason Donald on a potential double play. Marks would then pitch a perfect seventh before Michael Mariot allowed a two-run triple in the 8th inning.

Omaha scored one run in the ninth, but had the bases loaded with just one out. Unfortunately, Brian Bocock and Donald struck out to end the game.

Once again, Christian Colon and Paulo Orlando each had two hits.

NW Arkansas won in walk off fashion over Tulsa, 2-1. Orlando Calixte was once again the hero.

Infielder Orlando Calixte at the plate during 2013 spring training (Jen Nevius).

With the game tied at 1-1 since the 3rd inning, Calixte sent the fans home happy with a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth. It was his third homer of the season and second walk off in a week. He had driven in the first run in the third with a one out single.

The Drillers scored a run in the first off Naturals starter Jason Adam on two singles and a wild pitch. Adam would have just one perfect inning after that, but never had more than one base runner aboard. He allowed just two hits after the first and one walk (he lasted seven innings in one of his best starts of the season). Malcom Culver pitched a perfect eighth before Wilking Rodriguez was credited with the win for a scoreless ninth.

Calixte and Edinson Rincon each had two hits, as the Naturals had just six.

This series now moves to Tulsa for two games.

Wilmington lost in Lynchburg, 5-1. The Hillcats scored three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back.

Blue Rocks starter Miguel Almonte wiggled into and out of trouble after that first, but kept the Hillcats at bay. He was pulled in the seventh with two men on base and nobody out in favor of Kyle Bartsch. Bartsch struck out the first batter he faced before allowing a stolen base, a single, and a sac fly to increase the Hillcats’ lead.

The Blue Rocks scored their lone run in the fourth on a Cam Gallagher sac fly, scoring Michael Antonio (who had doubled with one out).

*Raul Mondesi and Hunter Dozier were a late scratch from the lineup. Mondesi experienced minor back spasms before BP, while Dozier got something in his eye during BP. It was Dozier’s first day off of the season. Manager Darryl Kennedy said both were day-to-day and both moves were precautionary.

Lexington won the first game of their series against Hagerstown by a 5-2 score. The game was tied at 1-1 when the Legends scored three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. It was just the Suns tenth loss of the season.

The 8th inning scoring was sandwiched around two doubles, a Tyler Chism leadoff one and a Frank Schwindel two-run double. There were two walks and a wild pitch in between.

The Legends collected just five hits, including a Dominique Taylor 6th inning solo home run. Schwindel had three of the hits.

Luis Santos picked up the win, despite allowing the tying run to score in the seventh. He allowed two hits over the final 2.2 innings. Luke Farrell got the start and allowed the two runs on six hits and four walks over 6.1 innings. The two pitchers combined to induce 15 ground outs.

*In roster news, Mauricio Ramos was activated from the DL and Kevin Kuntz was “sent” to Idaho Falls.