Royals July 19th Minor Recap

Omaha lost to OKC, 9-8, as Jake Odorizzi picked up his first loss of his Triple-A career. He allowed seven runs (five earned, though the error was his) on ten hits over five innings.

The Storm Chasers came back with three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning, capped by Johnny Giavotella‘s two-run homerun. Clint Robinson, who hit a two-run homerun in the first inning, popped up with the tying run on first base to end the game.

NW Arkansas broke their losing streak with a 5-4 victory over Arkansas in the series finale. The Naturals used the homerun ball to end the streak. John Whittleman hit a two-run homerun in the first inning and Brian Fletcher hit a three-run homerun in the 5th inning.

Mike Montgomery earned the victory in his first home game with the Naturals since 2010. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over 6.1 innings. He threw 89 pitches, just 48 for strikes. Juan Gutierrez returned to the mound after Tommy John surgery (he signed with the KC Royals this past offseason) and struck out two in his one inning of relief.

In case you haven’t heard, veteran catcher Jason Kendall signed a minor league deal with the Royals and has been added to the Naturals roster. He is expected to start for them on Friday. Maybe he can help their struggling pitchers?

It took until there was one out in the top of the 8th inning for Wilmington to pick up their first (and only) hit of the game against Myrtle Beach’s Kyle Hendricks. That hit came via Murray Watts, who picked up an RBI double. Problem is, the Blue Rocks lost 2-1, as they were swept by the Pelicans.

Jason Adam was the hard luck loser, as he dropped to 2-10 on the season. He was again beaten by the longball; he allowed a two-run homerun in the bottom of the 5th inning. He only allowed two hits and one walk while striking out four. Hendricks struck out at least one batter in every inning except the 6th (he pitched 7.1 innings), for a total of eight.

Kane County‘s game at Bowling Green was suspended, with the Cougars winning 2-0 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Angel Baez had pitched a perfect inning in the start. A rain delay of close to two hours halted the game and it will be made up on Friday night (the regularly scheduled game will follow with a seven-inning affair).

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling hit his third homerun of his career in the first inning in Burlington’s 4-3 win over Danville. Starling went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base (his third of the season).