Royals August 23rd Minors Recap

Omaha lost to New Orleans, 8-4. The Storm Chasers are two games up on Memphis in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division.

Felipe Paulino made yet another rehab start and struggled again. He allowed six runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings. He allowed a leadoff home run to Kevin Mattison and then a two-run homer to him in the second.

In the loss, Irving Falu went 3-for-5 with a double.

NW Arkansas beat Springfield, 12-0. A seven-run 8th inning blew the game away. The inning was capped by Matt Fields‘ 31st home run, a grand slam. The two teams are now tied for second place in the North Division of the Texas League (one game back).

Every Natural collected at least one hit. Their 3-4 hitters (Jorge Bonifacio and Cheslor Cuthbert) went 5-for-9 with three RBIs. The bottom two in the order (Rey Navarro and Juan Graterol) went a combined 5-for-10 with two RBIs. Lane Adams chipped in two hits in the win.

The offensive explosion made a winner of Aaron Brooks, who has been solid all season long. He allowed seven hits over six shutout innings. Brooks struck out six. The Naturals bullpen threw three scoreless innings, with Spencer Patton striking out the side in the eighth.

Justin Trapp (Jen Nevius)

Wilmington won their series in Frederick with a 5-4 victory. The Blue Rocks are five games back of Lynchburg for the wild card spot in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. They now move on to play Potomac again for three games.

Justin Trapp gave the Blue Rocks their first (and short-lived) lead in the third with a two-run homer (his tenth of the season). Daniel Mateo drove in the eventual game winner with a two out double in the top of the eighth. Kellen Moen allowed a solo homer in the bottom of the eighth that cut the lead to one run (2.2IP, 2H, R, OBB, 3K). However, Malcom Culver finished off the eighth and induced a game ending double play to pick up his third save of the season.

JC Sulbaran picked up his first victory with the Blue Rocks, as he allowed three runs on six hits over five innings. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

*Sam Bates was named to the Appy League post season All-Star team as the first baseman. Prior to his promotion to Wilmington, he led the league in home runs with ten.

Lexington held on for the 4-3 victory over Greenville. The Legends are still 3.5 games back of first place.

The Drive scored two runs in the top of the ninth to cut the deficit to one, but Mark Peterson escaped.

Greg Billo picked up the win, as he pitched five shutout innings. He allowed four hits and three walks while striking out eight.

On offense, Bubba Starling went 2-for-4, including his 11th home run of the season. Hunter Dozier went 4-for-4.with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.