Royals August 2nd Minors Recap

With the score tied at 1-1, Tony Abreu hit a three-run homerun in the 5th inning to push Omaha to a 4-2 victory over Reno. That blast made a winner of Ryan Verdugo, who allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.

The Storm Chasers first three hitters, Irving Falu, Johnny Giavotella, and Abreu went a combined 6-for-12 with four runs scored and four RBIs.

A four-run top of the 3rd inning prevailed NW Arkansas over Tulsa, 6-3 (in 111 degree heat). Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a grand slam with two outs off Colorado Rockies rehabber Jhoulys Chacin.

That blast made a winner of Michael Mariot, who has been the Naturals best pitcher. Mariot allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over seven innings.

The bottom of the Naturals order, Rey Navarro and Alex McClure, combined to go 4-for-6 with McClure scoring two runs.

Wilmington was the lone KC Royals full season affiliate to lose on Thursday. They were clinging to a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the 8th inning, but saw Winston-Salem come back with a three-spot en route to their 6-4 loss.

Most of the Blue Rocks offense came from the top four in the order (Orlando Calixte, Brett Eibner, Matt Fields, and Lane Adams), who went a combined 10-for-18 with four runs scored and four doubles. Unfortunately, the team combined to go just 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

Kane County held on for a 7-5 victory over Beloit. The Snappers scored four runs in the bottom of the 9th inning with just one out, but could not at least tie the game.

Edwin Carl, who was just sent back to the Cougars, made the start and allowed just three hits and one walk over four innings.

On offense for the Cougars, Tim Ferguson went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Alex Llanos and Dean Espy each collected two hits.

Bubba Watch: Bubba Starling hit a solo homerun in the top of the first inning, as Burlington cruised to a 15-5 victory over Elizabethton. Starling went 3-for-6 with two runs scored (the Royals collected 27 hits). On the downside, he committed his third error of the season.