Opening Night for Royals Minor League Affiliates

Happy Opening Day, for the minor league season that is.

It was not a great start to the minor league season for the four KC Royals full season minor league affiliates. High-A Wilmington and Low-A Lexington were rained out. The Blue Rocks will make up the game as part of a May 25th doubleheader and will officially open tomorrow in Myrtle Beach with Kyle Zimmer on the mound. The Legends will play a doubleheader tomorrow night in Augusta.

Triple-A Omaha lost on the road to Round Rock, 3-1. Lefty Will Smith was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out 11.

Xavier Nady started at first base (where he committed two errors) and went 3-for-4 with two doubles. It was a rough night for the top of the order (David Lough, Christian Colon, and Johnny Giavotella) who went a combined 0-for-12 with four strikeouts.

NW Arkansas was pounded at home by Midland, 11-0. Midland had two big innings, where they scored four runs in the third and five more in the seventh.

Noel Arguelles seemed to be cruising in his start before the third. With two outs and nobody on base, D’Arby Myers hit a ground ball to third base. Matt Fields dropped the throw from Rey Navarro and the the flood gates opened. Two straight walks and two straight doubles allowed the four runs to score. That was Arguelles’ last inning (3IP, 2H, 4R, 0ER, 4BB, 5K).

Santiago Garrido followed and allowed one run on three hits over two innings. Then it got ugly and close to 5,000 fans went home unhappy.

Nick Rogers walked two in 1.1 innings (though he struck out three) and left with two men on base. Jon Keck entered and did not record an out (one hit and two walks). He allowed both of Rogers’ runs to score, along with two of his own. Cole White entered and allowed a hit to force in another run. Edwin Carl pitched the final 1.1 innings (3H, 1R, 0BB, 2K).

The Naturals tried to change things up and have Brett Eibner bat leadoff and it paid off in his first at-bat when he walked. He then struck out in his final three at-bats. Brian Fletcher and Fields both struck out twice (they batted 3-4).

The Naturals will need a strong outing from Jason Adam tomorrow after using five relievers in their opener.