Royals August 2nd Minors Recap

Omaha beat Iowa, 6-2. They are now just a 1/2 game back of the Cubs with three more games in the series to go.

Royals Carlos Peguero homers during spring training against San Diego in 2014 (Jen Nevius).

The Storm Chasers scored four runs in the bottom of the third and never looked back. Two of those runs scored with two outs on Carlos Peguero‘s home run (one of his three hits, as he fell a triple short of the cycle). Paulo Orlando had two hits in the win.

That offense made a winner of Chris Dwyer, who was making his first start since July 11th. He was solid, as he allowed two hits and walked four over five innings. He struck out four.

Casey Coleman struggled to get one out in the sixth and left with the bases loaded and a run already in. Though Tim Collins got out of that jam unscathed, he then allowed a run in the eighth (2.2IP, 2H, R, BB, 3K). Michael Mariot pitched a perfect ninth. It was his first appearance since July 21st.

NW Arkansas lost to Tulsa, 4-3. They are now four games back of Arkansas (in second place).

After the Naturals fought back to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth, Blake Wood allowed a solo home run to Trevor Story to give the Drillers the lead again. It was Story’s third home run off Naturals pitching (he has just four in Double-A).

Despite walking five, Tim Melville was solid in the start. He allowed two runs on three hits over five innings. He struck out five. After Noel Arguelles threw a scoreless sixth (he walked one), Ali Williams allowed a run in the seventh.

Both teams had just five hits, but the Naturals’ were all singles.

Wilmington beat Frederick, 6-0. The Blue Rocks are now 1.5 games back of Potomac (tied with Lynchburg).

In the best start of his career, Sean Manaea earned his fourth win of the season. He reached the 8th inning for the first time of his career (7.1 innings). After getting the first out of the eighth, Manaea issued his first walk of the game, and then came the hook. Manaea allowed four hits and struck out seven. 60 of his 91 pitches were thrown for strikes.

The Blue Rocks scored single runs in the second and fourth, but blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh. They sent eight men to the plate and scored four runs. Two scored on a Jack Lopez single. Raul Mondesi followed with a sac fly, before Bubba Starling doubled in the final run.

Terrance Gore (36) and Ramon Torres each stole two bases, while Lopez stole his 20th. They were Torres’ first two bases as a Blue Rock and came as a pinch-runner. Four of the five stolen bases came in the 7th inning.

*In roster news, 2014 top pick Brandon Finnegan was promoted to Double-A NW Arkansas. No corresponding move was made.

Lexington lost 6-1 to West Virginia.

The Legends collected just four hits in the loss. The lone run scored via Frank Schwindel‘s solo home run in the first that gave them the lead until the the Power scored single runs in the third and fourth.

Alec Mills was solid, despite taking the loss. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five and induced seven ground outs.

Robinson Yambati made his second relief appearance for the Legends and allowed one run on two hits in one inning of work.

*In roster news, catcher Luis Villegas was placed on the DL, while fellow catcher Schwindel was called back up from Idaho Falls (where he did not play in a game).