Royals June 26th Minors Recap

NW Arkansas‘ offense came to play after the two-day All-Star break and beat visiting Midland, 9-5. Eight of their runs were scored over the first three innings.

Matt Fields, the HR Derby champ, was involved in the offense early. He walked in the first to load the bases to bring up Cheslor Cuthbert, who drove in the game’s first two runs with a single. In the second, Fields hit a two out, three-run homerun (his 19th of the season).

That was more than enough offense for Aaron Brooks, who carried a perfect game into the fifth. He allowed a one out single that broke it up. Brooks allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. He struck out eight. After the Rockhounds scored three more in the seventh, Scott Alexander shut them down with two hitless innings of relief with four strikeouts.

Fields, Cuthbert, Yem Prades, and Manny Pina each collected two hits.

Wilmington held on for the 6-5 win over Lynchburg. The Blue Rocks had three 2-run innings for the win.

The Blue Rocks collected 14 hits, but went just 4-for-13 with runners in scoring position and hit into a double play. Justin Trapp, Dennis Raben, and Jack Lopez each collected three hits. Parker Morin went 2-for-3.

Kellen Moen struggled through 4.2 innings and left with two men on base. Malcom Culver stranded both those runners and pitched 2.1 hitless innings of relief. He struck out three.

Lexington lost another pitcher’s duel, with a 3-2 loss in Hickory. The Crawdads scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

After Daniel Stumpf only lasted four innings, Aroni Nina threw three scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

On offense for the Legends, Yowill Espinal went 2-for-4.