Royals April 6th Minors Recap

Omaha split their opening series with Nashville, as they held on in the Sunday finale with a 6-5 win. Michael Mariot was a little wild in the ninth (two wild pitches after a single), but he picked up his first save of the season. The Storm Chasers tacked on that all-important insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on Gorkys Hernandez‘ two out RBI single (helped out by Paulo Orlando‘s stolen base).

Royals lefty Danny Duffy during spring training in 2014 against the LA Angels (Jen Nevius).

Danny Duffy looked good in his 2014 debut. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out four. Duffy only threw 79 pitches (51 for strikes).

The Storm Chasers pounded out 12 hits, but just two for extra bases. Brett Eibner has been hot to start the season, as he went 2-for-3 in the leadoff spot (.333 average). Johnny Giavotella and Hernandez also collected two hits, with Gio hitting a double.

Carlos Peguero made his Omaha debut, but went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Omaha continues their homestand on Monday with four games against Memphis.

NW Arkansas lost their first game in Midland, 2-1. The RockHounds scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth on Dusty Coleman‘s two-run home run.

In his 39th career start as a Natural (third most all-time), Sugar Ray Marimon was dominant. He needed just 75 pitches to get through six scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out one. Scott Alexander blew the save, as he allowed the two-run homer in his two inning relief stint.

The Naturals collected seven hits, from seven different players. Whit Merrifield had the lone extra base hit, a double. They hit into a double play, had two runners caught stealing, and had two base runners picked off.

After winning the first two games of the 2014 season, the Wilmington Blue Rocks lost the final two games of their opening series. They lost Sunday’s finale, 7-1.

The two teams traded single runs in the first inning. However, the Dash kept on scoring.

It was a rough High-A debut for Daniel Stumpf, who lasted just two innings in the start (2IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER, BB, 4K). It was also a rough debut for John Walter, who allowed two runs in the 4th inning on a sac fly and a Courtney Hawkins double. Walter did strike out three in two innings of work.

Matthew Murray was dominant over three innings (just two walks and three strikeouts), before Mark Peterson allowed two runs in the eighth.

Zane Evans continued his hot hitting, as he drove in the Blue Rocks lone run with a two out single. He went 4-for-5 with two more doubles (he now has six for the season). The Blue Rocks collected nine hits, but went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. One base runner was picked off and Cameron Gallagher was thrown out at home twice, once to end the fourth on a Raul Mondesi single and once in the sixth on a double.

Tyler Chism made his 2014 debut by going 2-for-2 with a double.

Wilmington has Monday off before their home opener on Tuesday night against Myrtle Beach.

Lexington split their home series against West Virginia, as they won Sunday’s finale, 5-2.

The Legends collected nine hits, four for extra bases. Frank Schwindel doubled and homered, while driving in two runs (his first two hits of the season). Ramon Torres also collected two hits.

Luis Santos picked up the win, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out three, but also committed the error. Jose Miguel Rodriguez was dominant in relief. He allowed just one hit and two walks over 3.2 innings.

Lexington continues their homestand on Monday with three games against Rome.