Royals June 3rd Minors Recap

Omaha won their finale in Round Rock by a 5-2 final. They will now enjoy Wednesday off before hosting OKC for four games (OKC is tied for first place).

Lefty Ryan Verdugo throwing a bullpen session during 2014 spring training (Jen Nevius).

The Storm Chasers collected 12 hits in the win. Matt Fields hit a two out, two-run home run in the fifth. He also had a double. Brian Bocock went 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, but did not score a run. Jimmy Paredes went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two runs scored.

It was another great start for lefty Ryan Verdugo, who earned his second win of the season. He allowed one run on just two hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five. Casey Coleman then threw two perfect innings of relief, while striking out four. Louis Coleman followed with two innings, though he allowed a run in the ninth.

*In roster news, starter Brett Tomko was released. Catcher Francisco Pena was placed on the DL.

NW Arkansas lost to Tulsa, 8-5. They are now just three games away from elimination.

Sep 28, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Bruce Chen (52) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target FIeld. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

Veteran Bruce Chen got the start as he began his rehab assignment. He allowed single runs on solo home runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Across three innings, he allowed those two runs on eight hits while striking out three.

The Naturals actually took a 3-2 lead in the fourth, with two runs coming on a Cheslor Cuthbert home run. Angel Baez allowed a solo homer in the top of the sixth to allow Tulsa to tie the game, only to see the Naturals offense come right back with two runs to retake the lead in the bottom of the seventh.

The Naturals retook the lead with newly activated from the DL Angel Franco at the plate. Manager Vance Wilson had the runners moving on the pitch that Franco poked into right field for two RBIs.

The Naturals bullpen then imploded. With one out in the 8th inning, Malcom Culver entered and hit the first two batters he faced. He did get a line out for the second out, but a walk loaded the bases for Cristhian Adames, who cleared the bases with a double (he was thrown out by Jorge Bonifacio trying to turn it into a triple).

After the Naturals went down in order in the eighth, Noel Arguelles allowed two more runs in the ninth on four straight hits before recording outs.

On offense in the loss, Whit Merrifield, Lane Adams, and Mark Threlkeld each had two hits. Merrifield hit two doubles, while Adams stole two bases to up his total to 21 (third in the Texas League). The Naturals only went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Blue Rocks third baseman Hunter Dozier at the plate on April 13, 2014 (Jen Nevius).

Wilmington beat Potomac, 5-3. The win moved the Blue Rocks to just one game back of the P-Nats.

After Miguel Almonte struggled through the first inning (19 pitches, just nine strikes) when he allowed two runs, Almonte recovered to last seven innings. He did leave the game with the score tied, as he allowed a one out solo home run in the seventh.

However, the Blue Rocks came back to retake the lead. Terrance Gore‘s speed caused a pickoff throwing error and he came around to score on a ground ball. Hunter Dozier followed with another RBI double (his second double of the game and third RBI).

That gave Almonte his fourth win of the season, as Zeb Sneed followed with a perfect 8th inning. Things got dicey in the ninth, with closer Mark Peterson on the mound. He had not had a save opportunity since May 28th and he loaded the bases after recording two outs. Peterson got a fly out to end the game.

*In roster news, pitcher Aroni Nina was activated from the DL, as outfielder Tyler Chism was released.

Lexington lost to Greenville, 3-1. It was their fourth loss in a row and the Legends were eliminated from the Southern Division first half crown (15.5 games back).

Via the Legends Twitter.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when the Drive scored two runs. Luke Farrell took the loss, as he allowed two runs on four hits over 5.2 innings. He actually left with two outs in the sixth and two runners on base. Both scored when Jose Miguel Rodriguez entered and allowed a two-run triple to break the scoreless tie.

The Legends collected seven hits, but went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Ramon Torres and Dominique Taylor each had two hits.

*In positive news, two Legends were named to the South Atlantic League All-Star team. The two picked to represent Lexington and the Southern Division are catcher Frank Schwindel and outfielder Dominique Taylor.