Royals July 31st Minors Recap

While other teams were wheeling and dealing at the Trading Deadline, the Kansas City Royals did nothing, so no minor leaguers were moved to other teams.

Omaha lost to Memphis, 6-4. The Storm Chasers look to split the series with the Redbirds on Saturday.

Buddy Baumann had a rough start, allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings. Scott Alexander followed and allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over two innings. Jason Adam threw two scoreless innings of relief before Tim Collins struck out the side in the ninth on 16 pitches.

The Storm Chasers collected nine hits, three from Paulo Orlando.

In some negative news, Whit Merrifield, who went 1-for-4 with two RBIs, was taken out in the sixth for a pinch-runner (after his two-run single). Hopefully he wasn’t injured because he is having a great year. Plus he was playing second base for the first time since June 14th.

NW Arkansas lost to Tulsa, 6-3.

The Drillers scored all their runs across three consecutive innings (2-4) against Naturals starter JC Sulbaran. He was ejected in the 4th inning with two men on base after a hit batter. Sulbaran allowed ten hits (two home runs) and struck out six. Malcom Culver entered and allowed one of those base runners to score (he would allow one hit and a walk over two scoreless innings).

Mark Peterson followed with two scoreless before Blake Wood struck out two in his perfect inning of relief.

The Naturals collected their first hit with two outs in the fifth on a Justin Trapp single. They scored all of their runs in the eighth on Cheslor Cuthbert‘s home run. The Naturals collected just six hits, two by Cuthbert, who also stole his eighth base of the season.

Angel Franco‘s hitting streak came to an end at 14 games (0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored).

Blue Rocks DH Zane Evans on Opening Night in Wilmington, 2014 (Jen Nevius).

Wilmington beat Lynchburg, 6-4 in a rain shortened game (six innings). They return home for a six-game homestand that starts Friday night against Frederick.

Both teams scored three runs in the fourth, but the Blue Rocks came back with three runs in the top of the sixth. Zane Evans drove in two runs to give them the lead before the rains came and the tarp was placed on the field. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a road team score and be credited with the win without the home team being given the chance to bat.

There was some negative news here too, as starter Miguel Almonte left after just two innings. Gameday stated that he left due to an injured arm. He allowed a leadoff home run.

Aroni Nina was credited with the win to improve to 3-0, as he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits over three innings. He struck out five.

The Blue Rocks collected 12 hits, all coming from the 3-9 hitters. Evans had three hits, while Michael Antonio, Cam Gallagher, and Daniel Rockett each had two hits in the win.

OKAY, so that is what MiLB.com says. However in reality, I was right. The game reverted back to the fifth, and the Blue Rocks actually lost 4-3. It is the last time the two teams met.

Meaning, Nina took the loss and the Blue Rocks return home on a two-game losing streak.

Lexington came back for the 5-4 win over West Virginia. They broke the tie in the top of the eighth on a hit batter with the bases loaded.

The Legends collected ten hits, two for extra bases. Elier Hernandez had three hits, while Carlos Garcia and Mauricio Ramos each had two hits in the win. Ramos had two RBIs, including the game winner.

Luke Farrell was solid in the no decision, as he allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out ten. Jose Miguel Rodriguez earned the win, as he allowed one run on five hits over two innings. Tim Hill earned his fourth save of the season with two scoreless innings.

*In roster news, outfielder Dominique Taylor was activated from the DL and lefty Tripp Davis was placed on the DL. Taylor made the start in left field and went 1-for-3 with a walk, a triple, and two runs scored.

For those of you who follow along religiously, I will not have an update for Friday. I am heading up to Boston in a few hours to check out my first big league game at Fenway Park. It’s a bus trip, so I am hoping the bus has outlets so I can recap the Royals minor league games over the weekend.