Royals May 25th Minors Recap

Omaha and Round Rock had their game suspended due to rain in the bottom of the seventh with the game tied at 2-2.

The Storm Chasers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on Omar Infante‘s two out RBI single (his second hit of the game). Mike Moustakas also had two hits, including a solo home run to lead off the 2nd inning.

At the moment, Paulo Orlando, who currently has a 12-game hitting streak, is 0-for-3.

Despite the tie score, it was a rough start for John Lamb. He lasted just four innings, as he allowed seven hits and two walks. He threw 93 pitches, 59 for strikes. Ramon Troncoso was great, shutting out the Express over three innings of relief.

This game will be completed on Monday morning, with Memorial Day’s scheduled game to begin thirty minutes after the conclusion of the suspended game.

Cheslor Cuthbert via Jen Nevius

NW Arkansas ended their six game losing streak with a 7-4 victory over visiting Corpus Christi. The Naturals led 6-0 after four innings.

Cheslor Cuthbert‘s sixth home run got the Naturals on the board in the 2nd inning. In their four-run 3rd inning, Juan Graterol hit his first homer of the season, a two-run shot with two outs. Micah Gibbs also hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth.

Every Natural had at least one hit except Edinson Rincon. Graterol and Lane Adams each had two hits. Orlando Calixte drove in two runs on a triple and a sac fly.

Naturals starter JC Sulbaran was pitching well until the sixth, when he allowed a two-run home run and then an RBI single. He was lifted for Matt Murray, who got a fly out to end the inning. Murray pitched a perfect seventh, before leaving in the 8th inning with runners on the corners and one out.

In came Malcom Culver, who hit the first batter he faced and walked in a run before getting the inning’s final two outs. In the ninth, Culver pitched a perfect inning to earn his fourth save of the season.

Blue Rocks starter Christian Binford against Winston-Salem on April 12, 2014 (Jen Nevius).

Wilmington beat Frederick, 3-1. With the game tied at 1-1, the Blue Rocks scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. It all started with an error. With two outs, Daniel Rockett broke the tie with an RBI triple and scored on a Kenny Diekroeger single.

Christian Binford was solid in the no decision. He allowed one run on five hits, a walk, and a hit batter over seven innings. He struck out eight. Binford struck out the side in his final inning.

Kyle Bartsch struggled a bit through the 8th inning (two hits and 25 pitches), but was awarded the victory. Mark Peterson earned his ninth save of the season with a quick seven pitch inning.

On offense, Diekroeger and Hunter Dozier each had two hits. Bubba Starling extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a first inning single. He is still hitting below .200 (.199 to be exact) and he struck out three times.

The Blue Rocks are still tied for first place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division with one more game to go against Frederick on Memorial Day before heading out on the road for seven games.

*Shortstop Raul Mondesi yet again did not play (he last played on May 16th).

Lexington lost their series finale to Savannah by an 11-6 final. They lost the series 3-1. Six combined home runs were hit.

Luis Rico was solid, though the starter took the loss. He allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight. The Sand Gnats went on to beat up both Crawford Simmons and Andrew Edwards. Simmons allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over three innings. Edwards allowed four runs on six hits in his one inning of work. All three Legends pitchers allowed a solo homer.

The Legends collected 11 hits, with five players having multi-hit games. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado had two hits, including a solo homer. Ramon Torres hit two home runs, driving in three. Chad Johnson and Dominique Taylor also had two hits in the loss.

Dexter Kjerstad made his professional debut, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. He played right field.

The Legends now head to Asheville for three games beginning Memorial Day.