Royals May 2nd Minors Recap

Omaha received a reinforcement on Friday night, but still lost to visiting Oklahoma City by a 3-1 score. Lorenzo Cain began his rehab assignment as the DH and went 0-for-4.

The Storm Chasers scored their lone run in the bottom of the first on Brett Eibner‘s leadoff home run, his fourth of the season. Johnny Giavotella collected three of Omaha’s nine hits.

Brett Tomko was the hard luck loser, as he allowed all three runs on six hits and two walks over seven innings. Casey Coleman and Donnie Joseph each threw a scoreless inning of relief.

Whit Merrifield during 2014 spring training against the SD Padres (Jen Nevius).

NW Arkansas won their series over Springfield with an 8-5 win in Friday night’s finale. It got interesting in the ninth, as Naturals reliever Malcom Culver allowed two runs aided by an error, a passed ball, a wild pitch, and two hits.

The Naturals were down 3-1 after five innings before scoring six runs over the next two innings. They tied the game in the sixth when Cheslor Cuthbert doubled in one run and scored the second. In the 7th inning, Whit Merrifield capped the four-run inning with a two-run triple (one of his three hits).

Tim Melville earned his first Double-A victory, as he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six and induced eight ground outs. Scott Alexander and Wilking Rodriguez each threw a scoreless inning of work.

The Naturals return home to begin an eight-game homestand, starting with Arkansas on Saturday.

Wilmington held on to beat Carolina, 3-1. The Blue Rocks scored two runs in the first on back-to-back run scoring hits by Zane Evans and Johermyn Chavez.

Evans and Daniel Rockett each had two hits in the win, including a double hit by each. Rockett also stole his first base of the season.

In relief of starter Jonathan Dziedzic (4.2IP, 5H, R, 2BB, 7K), Glenn Sparkman picked up his first win of the season. He allowed one hit over 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out five, Mark Peterson earned his fifth save of the season with two scoreless innings.

Lexington infielder Michael Antonio on May 5, 2013 in Lakewood (Jen Nevius).

One day after being swept by one of the worst teams in the South Atlantic League, Lexington beat the best team in the league (Hagerstown) by a 12-4 score. Both teams combined for 31 hits, though the Legends went 8-for-18 with runners in scoring position while the Suns went just 3-for-13.

A six-spot in the 2nd inning put the game away (it was 2-1 at the time). Every Legends hitter had at least one hit, six of which had multi-hit games.

Ramon Torres and Michael Antonio each had three hits and combined to drive in five runs. Humberto Arteaga had two hits and two RBIs. Dominique Taylor, Fred Ford, and Frank Schwindel each had two hits. Schwindel hit a home run in the second.

Jake Junis was in and out of trouble during his entire six innings of work. He allowed four runs on 12 hits (including four doubles) and a walk. He did strike out eight and induced seven ground outs. Kenny Swab earned his first professional save with three scoreless innings.

A whopping 710 were in attendance for the game in Hagerstown.