Royals August 20th Minors Recap

Omaha lost their finale in Memphis by a 4-0 score. The loss dropped their lead over the Redbirds to three games in the American Northern Division of the Pacific Coast League.

Starter John Lamb allowed five hits and three runs over six innings to pick up his second loss in his second Triple-A start. Lamb allowed three hits and two runs in the first, but did not allow another hit until the fifth (when he allowed his final run).

The Storm Chasers collected just three hits.

Wilmington Blue Rocks Matt Fields (Jen Nevius)

NW Arkansas came back in a BIG way to beat first place Springfield, 21-6 to pull within a game of first place.

Down 5-3 heading into the sixth, the Naturals scored six runs. But that was not enough. They would score five more in the eighth and seven more in the ninth.

Matt Fields hit his 30th home run to become the Naturals all-time leader. His homer came in the 6th inning, a three-run shot. The Naturals actually hit four homers, all three-run shots: Lane Adams in the first, Cheslor Cuthbert in the eighth, and Whit Merrifield in the ninth. Adams drove in six runs, while Merrifield drove in four.

After starter Andy Ferguson allowed five runs over four innings, the Naturals bullpen threw up five scoreless innings. It started with Sam Runion, who picked up the win with two innings.

Wilmington has now lost seven in a row, as they lost their five-game series against Potomac with a 6-2 loss. Meanwhile, the first place P-Nats have won ten in a row and Lynchburg now has a 5.5 game lead on second place.

The Blue Rocks scored the game’s first two runs in the bottom of the second on four of their six total hits.

The loss negated the solid start from newcomer Tripp Davis, who allowed two unearned runs on four hits over five innings. He struck out two. Ali Williams was pitching well in relief until the eighth, when he threw two wild pitches that brought in two runs. He also had a throwing error on a sac bunt.

*In roster news, reliever Andrew Triggs was promoted to NWA, while the Blue Rocks received Andrew Edwards. He made his High-A debut in the 8th inning and allowed two of the three inherited runners to score (2IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K, WP).

Lexington won their first game against first place Augusta to move within 1.5 games with a 6-3 victory.

The Legends took the lead in the bottom of the 7th inning with four runs, capped by Mark Donato‘s three-run home run. Hunter Dozier and Cameron Gallagher each had two hits in the win.

After Daniel Stumpf allowed three runs on six hits and one walk over six innings, Kevin Allen picked up the win in relief. Allen allowed one hit over two scoreless innings while striking out four.