Jul 17, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ryan Verdugo (62) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Omaha returned home and beat Nashville, 5-3. The Storm Chasers also clinched the American Northern Division of the Pacific Coast League.

Ryan Verdugo was solid yet again, as he allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out seven.

Anthony Seratelli went 4-for-4 in the win. Rey Navarro made his Triple-A debut at second base and went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base.

NW Arkansas was postponed for the second straight night. They will make up Saturday night’s game as part of a doubleheader on Sunday in Frisco.

The game of night in the KC Royals farm system was in Wilmington, as they walked off 1-0 winners over Lynchburg. They increased their lead to 3.5 games in the Northern Division of the Carolina League in the second half.

It was a well-pitched game between Brooks Pounders of Wilmington and Dimasther Delgado of Lynchburg. Pounders lasted seven innings for the second straight start and allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out seven. When he did get into trouble, he was bailed out by two GREAT throws from centerfielder Brett Eibner to end back-to-back innings. Delgado allowed just four hits and a walk over six innings.

It came down to the bottom of the 9th inning with hard-throwing Juan Jamie on the mound for the Hillcats. With the bases loaded and two outs, shortstop Orlando Calixte came to the plate. With a 3-2 count, he ripped the fastball just out of the reach of the diving Dan Brewer in left field and the Blue Rocks began celebrating and chasing Calixte all over the field.

Pounders talked after the game about his back-to-back great starts, the throws from Eibner, and his pickoff move. He was then pied in the face to end the interview by catcher Juan Graterol.

Kane County pounded out 14 hits and beat Burlington, 7-3. Five different Cougars had multi-hit games. Only one of those hits went for extra bases.

Kyle Smith picked up his fourth win, as he allowed an unearned run on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out nine. Cody Fassold followed with 2.2 perfect innings of relief. He struck out five.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Burlington’s 2-0 loss at Greenville.

Judy Johnson is a Hall of Famer and the namesake of the field at Frawley Stadium. His statue stands outside the ballpark. He was a key member to some of the best teams in Negro League history. You can find out more about Johnson HERE .

The thing that disappoints me is that they have dropped the ball over the years with honoring the Negro Leagues in Wilmington (just like they have in Kansas City). Back in the day, both teams used to wear Negro League uniforms (I am a sucker for old school uniforms). Then their game worn hats would be auctioned off to support the Negro Leagues. They do have auctions going on throughout the concourse of autographed memorabilia tonight (which are drawing some crowds).

This year is no different. It is also Star Wars Night, with Star Wars characters set to be in attendance. It seems as if the promotional team is more interested in pushing that than the history of the Negro Leagues and Judy Johnson.

Anyway, to the game (and enough of my rambling).

First half Northern Division champion Lynchburg (the High-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) is in town and the Hillcats are 2.5 games back of the Blue Rocks in the second half standings. The Blue Rocks have taken the first two games of the four-game series, as the pitchers have allowed just two runs to the Hillcats. In Game 1, the Blue Rocks won 2-1 and walked off on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 10^th inning. In Game 2, the Blue Rocks scored ten runs in the bottom of the 2^nd inning and rode the arm of Matt Ridings to another victory.

Taking the mound for the Blue Rocks tonight is Brooks Pounders, who the Royals acquired this past offseason from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite the fact that Pounders has been with Wilmington since June, this will be the first time I will be seeing him pitch. With the Blue Rocks, he is 5-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). He has allowed more hits (74) than innings pitched (63.1). His last start at Potomac was a great one: 7IP, 4H, 1R, 0ER, 0BB, 5K.

The Hillcats will be sending Dimasther Delgado to the mound. Overall he is 6-6 with a 4.35 ERA in 20 starts. He, like Pounders, allows more hits than innings pitched (125 hits in 107.2 innings). Delgado faced the Blue Rocks in back-to-back-starts (June 29 and July 5) and allowed three runs in each game.

Lineups:

HILLCATS: Mycal Jones (CF), Nick Ahmed (SS), Dan Brewer (LF), Chris Garcia (1B), Edward Salcedo (3B), Adam Milligan (RF), David Rohm (DH), Emerson Landoni (2B), and Chad Comer (C).

BLUE ROCKS: Orlando Calixte (SS), Brett Eibner (CF), Lane Adams (RF), Matt Fields (1B), Cheslor Cuthbert (3B), Nick Van Stratten (DH), Geulin Beltre (LF), Juan Graterol (C), and Luis Piterson (2B).

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Jul 17, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ryan Verdugo (62) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Omaha completed their four-game sweep at Tuscon on Monday, 5-2. Their magic number to clinch the division is now just five.

One day after picking up 33 hits, the Storm Chasers collected 11 more. Wil Myers, Max Ramirez, and Derrick Robinson each collected two hits. Five different players drove in runs.

Ryan Verdugo picked up the win despite not being great. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks over six innings. He did strike out seven. Donnie Joseph pitched two perfect innings of relief to pick up the save (his best game as a Storm Chaser).

NW Arkansas overcame three errors to beat Frisco in a late comeback, 4-3. The Naturals also went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position and hit into two double plays.

The Naturals stole six bases. Yem Prades led off and went 3-for-4. Carlo Testa and Michael Liberto each collected two hits.

Justin Marks returned to the rotation for the first time since June 21st (he was on the DL). He lasted just 3.1 innings and 58 pitches. Michael Mariot followed and picked up the win, as he allowed an unearned run (and one of Marks’ runs) on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.

Wilmington has won four in a row since manager Vance Wilson‘s closed door meeting on Thursday night, as they beat Potomac 4-2 in the first game of the three-game series. Brooks Pounders picked up the victory, as he allowed just an unearned run (in the first inning) on four hits over seven innings. He struck out five.

Things got interesting in the bottom of the 9th inning. The P-Nats had two runs in and runners at second and third base with two outs, but reliever Robinson Yambati picked up a strikeout to end the game.

On offense, the Blue Rocks collected ten hits, but went just 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position. The newest Blue Rock, Nick Van Stratten, went 3-for-3.

Cedar Rapids scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and cruised to the 5-1 victory over Kane County. The Cougars collected just three hits.

Aaron Brooks dropped to 9-12  on the season. Kellen Moen followed with 2.1 perfect innings of relief while striking out three.

The Storm Chasers collected five hits, with two each coming from Max Ramirez and Mitch Maier (the seventh and eighth hitters in the lineup).

Guess what? NW Arkansas is playing Springfield again (this is the third series in a span of 16 days, which will total 12 games) and they of course lost (considering they haven’t won a game). The Naturals lost 4-2 as Noel Arguelles returned from the inactive list (reliever Bryan Paukovits was placed on the DL) and allowed four runs in the top of the 6th inning. He faced five batters in the 6th inning and did not record an out. His final line looked like this: 5IP, 7H, 4R, 3BB, 3K. Brendan Lafferty entered with the bases loaded and allowed two runners to score.

The Naturals scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. They had the tying run on second base and the winning run on first, but pinch-hitter Paulo Orlando struck out.

Blue Rocks first baseman Matt Fields

After allowing a run in the top of the first inning, Wilmington starter Brooks Pounders was on cruise control, as the Blue Rocks won their series opener against Carolina, 6-2. Pounders allowed that one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out six.

The Blue Rocks offense scored two runs each in three innings: the fourth, sixth, and seventh. Matt Fields hit his 12th homerun of his short career with the KC Royals, as he went 2-for-4. Cheslor Cuthbert and Orlando Calixte also collected two hits in the win. Those three were the Blue Rocks 4-5-6 hitters in the lineup.

Wilmington made two roster moves today. Pitcher Leondy Perez came off the DL after a few months there (and making three appearances in the AZL). Outfielder Roman Hernandez, who has not played since July 16th, went on the DL.

Kane County was swept by Wisconsin, as they lost Friday’s finale, 4-1. There were a little over 10,000 fans in attendance to see the Cougars collect just two hits. They didn’t pick up their first hit until Tim Ferguson singled with one out in the 6th inning.

Bryan Brickhouse was the hard luck loser, as he allowed one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk, and a run scored in Burlington’s 9-7 victory. He also grounded into a double play. His double came in the Royals six-run 5th inning.

July 8, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; USA batter Wil Myers drives in a run with a fielder

The Triple-A All-Star Game was held on Wednesday night and Wil Myers took home the MVP award to cap a fine week of All-Star accolades. The Pacific Coast League beat the International League in Buffalo, 3-0. Myers went 2-for-3 with an RBI. He was one of only two players two record a multi-hit game (Leslie Anderson of the IL also collected two hits). Myers played left field.

Clint Robinson came off the bench to play first base and went 0-for-1 (a strikeout). Ryan Verdugo pitched the third inning, walked one, and struck out one. Tommy Hottovy recorded the first two outs in the 8th inning. He struck out one.

NW Arkansas broke their eight game losing streak on Tuesday night with an 8-7 walk-off win over San Antonio. They had Wednesday off before starting a four-game road trip in Springfield on Thursday.

It was ugly in the beginning, as Naturals starter Noel Arguelles didn’t make it out of the first inning after allowing four runs. However the offense battled back, they got enough out of their bullpen, and had a little luck. In the 9th inning, Michael Liberto led off with a single and Yem Prades followed with a walk. After a strikeout and a pitching change, Brian Fletcher walked to load the bases for John Whittleman, who delivered a sac fly to tie the game. A throwing error home led to the winning run scoring.

Wilmington began their home series with Potomac with a 6-2 victory. Brooks Pounders picked up his second win in the Carolina League with six solid innings. He allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out eight.

Matt Fields continued his power-hitting, as he went 3-for-4 with his 7th homerun with the Blue Rocks.

Kane County collected just five hits, but beat South Bend, 3-0. They scored single runs in the first, 5th, and 6th inning.

Aaron Brooks picked up the win with seven shutout innings. He allowed four hits while striking out six.

Bubba Watch: Burlington’s game in Kingsport was postponed.

June 04, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Will Smith (53) delivers a pitch in the fourth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Omaha beat OKC, 5-1 behind the left arm of starter Will Smith. He allowed an unearned run on five hits over 7.2 innings. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter. Smith threw 103 pitches, 80 for strikes.

Max Ramirez and Kevin Kouzmanoff each had two hits. Every Storm Chaser had at least on hit except catcher Cody Clark.

Wilmington‘s offense came to life in Potomac, as they won 11-2. With the Blue Rocks leading 2-1 heading into the 5th inning, they scored three runs each over the next three innings to pull away. Cheslor Cuthbert hit a two-run homerun in the 6th inning (he went 2-for-4 with four RBIs). Orlando Calixte and Roman Hernandez also collected two hits. Those three combined to score seven runs.

That offense made a winner of Brooks Pounders, who picked up his first Carolina League victory. The bullpen combo of Cole White and Nick Graffeo threw 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Kane County lost to Beloit, 8-0. The Cougars collected just three hits in the loss. Matthew Summers of Beloit pitched a complete game.

The Cougars made two more errors, giving third baseman Michael Antonio 17 and second baseman Daniel Mateo 22 on the season.

2012 draft pick (19th round) Andrew Triggs made his Cougars debut with a scoreless inning of relief. He allowed a hit but struck out two.

*Bubba Starling still has not played in a game.

May 6, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Tommy Hottovy (46) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

Omaha continued their hot streak Wednesday afternoon, as they finished up their four-game sweep in Iowa with a 5-2 victory. The Storm Chasers have now won eight in a row as they head to Nashville for a four-game series.

Veteran Doug Davis made his first start with Omaha and picked up his first victory, as he allowed two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings. Tommy Hottovy was once again dominant in picking up his sixth save of the season. He pitched two perfect innings while striking out three.

Irving Falu hit his fourth homerun of the season, batting from the leadoff spot. He went 2-for-5, as did Anthony Seratelli.

A four-run bottom of the first inning sent NW Arkansas to their fourth loss in a row, as they were swept by first-place Tulsa by a 6-2 final. The Naturals collected 11 hits, but went just 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position.

Mario Lisson collected three doubles and Paulo Orlando went 3-for-4, but neither scored a run.

Noel Arguelles took the loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings.

With the rain out on Tuesday, Wilmington and Salem played a doubleheader on Wednesday night. The Blue Rocks lost Game 1, 3-2 and Game 2, 3-0. The Blue Rocks collected just nine hits in the two games. Since Lynchburg won their doubleheader on Tuesday night, they clinched the first half crown in the Carolina League’s Northern Division.

After a fielding error on a sac bunt with one out in the top of the 7th inning, Nick Rogers entered the game. He ended up striking out the side, but allowed a two-run single that gave Salem the 3-2 lead.

Yordano Ventura started for the Blue Rocks and allowed one run (on a solo homerun) on four hits and three walks over five innings (he left with the lead). He struck out eight.

In Game 2, Brooks Pounders made his first start for the Blue Rocks. He was greeted rudely by Red Sox first baseman and CL All-Star Travis Shaw. Shaw homered in the first inning and doubled in two runs in the 3rd inning. Pounders only allowed four hits, two to Shaw, over six innings. He struck out six.

Kane County scored two runs in the top of the 9th inning to increase their lead over Quad Cities, only to see the River Bandits score three runs in the bottom of the 9th and win 6-5 in walk-off fashion in the 10th inning. Matt Ridings took the loss, as he allowed the walk-off double by Anthony Garcia (he recorded just one out).

Four of the Cougars’ five runs were driven in by Jorge Bonifacio, who went 2-for-5. Daniel Mateo also had two hits, while Dean Espy went 3-for-5.

The Royalman Report - logo by @AHairOffSquare

On the day before the first Royals spring training game, we gathered on a Saturday night for an episode of the Royalman Report where we discussed the Royals camp news to that point, the addition of Bruce Chen (@ChenMusic) and Willie Aikens (@WAikens) to Twitter and some of the best tweets from Royals players this spring. We also talked at length about Salvador Perez, his extension, and his potential on the team now and going into the future.

We also got minor league pitcher Brooks Pounders on the line and asked him about his experience of being traded, the differences in approach between the Pirates and Royals, and his training with Alan Jaeger and long-toss regimen. Of course we had to talk about the relationships and friendships between players in camp and the enthusiasm that seems to be carrying from the big league team all the way to the lower levels of the minors. And the name – Fake Ned wouldn’t let him go without asking him about the name.

You can listen below or download the mp3 directly.

The Royalman Report is hosted by Troy “Royalman” Olsen with co-host Michael Engel and features Chris “Fake Ned Yost” Kamler, 610 Sports blogger Jeff Herr and Sam Sapenaro of the K Crew and airs  live Sundays at 7 p.m. central time at RoyalmanReport.com as well as on Livestream.com/RoyalmanReport.

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Navarro, acquired last July for Mike Aviles, appeared in six games with Kansas City in September after joining the organization and hit .272/.317/.391/.708 in 101 plate appearances for Omaha. Kevin Goldstein ranked him within his top 20 Royals prospects last month.

In return the Royals receive a pair of 21-year-old minor leaguers.

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