Royals June 11th Minors Recap

Omaha won in Sacramento, despite seeing their bullpen scoreless streak come to an end in the 8th inning (21.1 straight innings). They won 10-4.

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

The Storm Chasers scored in just three innings: the second, fourth, and eighth. In their three-run 2nd inning, Whit Merrifield got the scoring started with an RBI single with two outs. Paulo Orlando drove him in with a single and the final run scored on a wild pitch.

In their four-run 4th inning, Merrifield led off the inning with a single and came around to score on Christian Colon‘s single. Johnny Giavotella followed with a two-run home run to chase the River Cats starter. In their three-run 8th inning, Gio drove in two with a single and came around to score on a wild pitch.

Omaha collected 16 hits, at least one hit from every hitter but Brian Bocock. Gio drove in five runs on three hits. Jimmy Paredes hit two doubles. Paulo Orlando, Brett Eibner, and Merrifield all had two hits, while Jesus Flores went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

The offensive explosion made a winner of John Lamb, who allowed two runs on four hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out six. Fellow lefty Buddy Baumann followed with two scoreless innings, but left in the eighth with a runner on base. That runner came around to score with another lefty on the mound, Chris Dwyer. A wild pitch and a bases loaded walk drove in the River Cats’ two runs in the inning (Dwyer walked four).

NW Arkansas lost the pitcher’s duel in Springfield by a 1-0 final. The Naturals had the chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter Micah Gibbs doubled, but he was left stranded by yet another strikeout (three in the inning).

JC Sulbaran was the hard luck loser, as he allowed the one run on eight hits and two walks over five innings. Angel Baez threw two scoreless innings in his second straight outing. Noel Arguelles may have figured this pitching thing out. He threw his second straight scoreless outing.

The Naturals collected seven hits by the first five hitters in the order. Leadoff hitter Angel Franco went 2-for-4 in the loss.

Wilmington had their series finale in Winston-Salem rained out. Since it was the final time the two teams were meeting in the first half, the game will not be made up. Thus, the Blue Rocks were eliminated from the Northern Division’s first half title. They are five games back with four to go.

The Blue Rocks return home for the final four games of the first half. They welcome Carolina to town, though rain may follow them home.

Lexington split their doubleheader against Asheville. They now welcome Charleston to town for the first time this season.

The Legends won the first game, 6-3.

Cody Reed won his first professional game. This afternoon’s game was also his best start of the season. He allowed four hits over six scoreless innings. Reed walked one and struck out four. He also induced nine ground outs and picked a runner off second base.

The Legends offense scored in every inning but two (the first and fifth). However, they only collected seven hits. Fresh off the DL, Elier Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Dexter Kjerstad hit his first home run of the season in the third (a solo shot). Dominique Taylor hit two doubles and drove in two runs.

The Legends lost the second game by a 7-3 score They out-hit the Tourists 12-11, but went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Five Legends had multi-hit games. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, Frank Schwindel, Fred Ford, and Kjerstad all had two hits. Mauricio Ramos went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Schwindel unfortunately had hits tenth passed ball of the season.

Pedro Hernandez dropped to 0-3, as he allowed three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings.