Royals July 20th Minors Recap

Omaha outslugged New Orleans, 9-2.

The Storm Chasers pounded out 15 hits to the Zephyrs five. Pedro Ciriaco provided alot of the offense, as he hit a three-run home run in the fourth. He had three hits and drove in five. Justin Maxwell went 4-for-4, while Brian Bocock had two hits.

They beat up on former teammate Donnie Joseph, who entered in relief in the 5th inning with one on and two outs. Omaha would score two runs in that inning and Christian Colon greeted him to lead off the sixth with a solo home run. The Storm Chasers would score another later in the inning.

All that offense made a winner of John Lamb, who allowed just two hits (and three walks) over six scoreless innings. He struck out six. Lamb allowed a single to lead off the game and a single in the fifth. Two of his three walks came in the fourth.

Chris Dwyer followed with two scoreless (just one hit) before Tim Collins allowed a two-run home run in the ninth to account for the Zephyrs’ runs.

NW Arkansas was shut out by Springfield, 3-0 and split the four-game series.

The Naturals had the bases loaded with nobody out in the ninth, but could not scratch a run across. They out-hit the Cardinals 8-7, but went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, hit into a double play, and struck out nine times. Angel Franco and Max Ramirez each had two hits in the loss.

Springfield scored their runs in the 2nd inning off JC Sulbaran. Unfortunately, all the runs were unearned, as Hunter Dozier committed a throwing error to start the inning. A sac bunt and a sac fly later, the Cardinals led 1-0. Three singles later and they tacked on two more runs.

Malcom Culver threw three scoreless innings of relief, before Sam Selman followed with two hitless innings while striking out three.

Wilmington fought back, but lost to Lynchburg, 6-5.

The Blue Rocks were held hitless until Raul Mondesi led off the 4th inning with a home run off Blair Walters, who was just signed out of independent ball by Atlanta (an earlier error was then changed to a single).

Down 6-2 in the ninth, the Blue Rocks mounted their comeback. They scored two runs before the Hillcats went to closer Alex Wilson, who has been perfect this season in save opportunities. Wilson got Terrance Gore to line out to shortstop and the throw to first nailed Daniel Rockett for the double play.

“I’m pretty proud of the way the guys came back,” Blue Rocks manager Darryl Kennedy

Still the Blue Rocks were not done, though that DP proved VERY costly.

Back-to-back walks brought up Bubba Starling, who laced a single to left to cut the deficit to one run. It was his third hit of the game and fifth hard hit ball. Mark Threlkeld then reached on a fielder’s choice/error to load the bases for Michael Antonio. He grounded out to end it.

After the game, Blue Rocks manager Darryl Kennedy was pleased with the effort. “I’m pretty proud of the way the guys came back. We had a chance right there to win it. We get one base hit there with two outs, we win the ballgame.”

Luis Santos took the loss, as he battled command to get through five innings. He walked six, but got five infield pop ups and struck out four. Yender Caramo followed and did not get into trouble until the 8th inning, when his defense bobbled a potential double play that led to two unearned runs.

Kyle Bartsch entered in the eighth with two on and two out and struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. Bartsch then pitched a perfect ninth.

Listen to Mondesi talk after the game:

Lexington lost their doubleheader in Savannah. The Legends lost the first game by a 5-0 score.

The Legends were no-hit by Sand Gnats starter John Gant until Carlos Garcia singled with one out in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Luis Rico started for the Legends and allowed five runs (two earned) on eight hits over four innings (and three batters into the fifth). He was hurt by two fielding errors and a passed ball.

In the second game, the Legends lost 3-1. The Legends lone run came via Fred Ford‘s homer to lead off the 5th inning.

The Legends collected five hits, two by Mauricio Ramos.

Matt Alvarez dropped to 4-4 on the season, as he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over four innings. Jose Miguel Rodriguez allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk over the game’s final two innings (he committed the error on a pickoff throw).