Royals May 21st Minors Recap

Omaha fought back to tie the game, but eventually lost to Tuscon in ten innings, 5-2. The Padres scored three runs in the top of the tenth, sending nine men to the plate. Two of the three runs that scored came via bases loaded walks.

Justin Marks allowed two runs in the first inning on three singles, a walk, and a sac fly. After that, he only allowed two more hits and a walk over six more innings.

The Storm Chasers only collected seven hits, two from Xavier Nady.

Wilmington held on to beat first place Lynchburg, 4-3.

Aaron Brooks proved that maybe he should be a prospect. He allowed five hits over eight scoreless innings (the longest outing by any Blue Rocks starter). He struck out five and the Hillcats never had more than one base runner on base in an inning. By my count, he finished with 86 pitches (59 for strikes) and only threw eight pitches in his final inning.

The Blue Rocks offense scored two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. Daniel Mateo scored the game’s first run, after going face first into the grass when rounding third base. In his defense, he was held up at first but then the left fielder misplayed the ball and he had to restart. Mateo went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Manager Vance Wilson talked after the game about Brooks’ start, why Brooks’ is now the Blue Rocks top starter, about reliever Robinson Yambati’s struggles, about the health of Jared Schlehuber, and his team’s defense:

Down 3-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Lexington scored three runs and held on for the 4-3 victory. The first run scored on a wild pitch on a Bubba Starling strikeout. Michael Antonio gave them the lead with a two out, two-run single.

Christian Binford was solid in the start, as he pitched six innings. He allowed three unearned run on five hits and a walk while striking out eight. Ali Williams picked up the win with two scoreless innings of relief.

Raul Mondesi and Yowill Espinal each picked up two hits, with Espinal hitting a solo homerun, his first of the season.