Royals August 7th Minors Recap

Omaha opened their series at Colorado Springs with a 16-9 victory. In the 9th inning, the two teams combined to score 12 runs. Omaha is now a 1/2 game out of first place.

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

The Storm Chasers scored three runs in the top of the first on Francisco Pena‘s two out, three-run home run. Carlos Peguero added a three-run shot in the seventh. That broke the 5-5 tie.

The Storm Chasers blew the game open with an eight-run top of the ninth. It all started with two outs and nobody on base, as Peguero worked a walk. They sent 12 men to the plate, walked three times, and collected six hits.

Every starter had at least one hit. Paul Janish fell a home run short of the cycle (3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored). Johnny Giavotella, Pena, and Peguero each had two hits in the win. Cheslor Cuthbert made his Triple-A debut (at first base) and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Liam Hendriks improved to 2-0 with Omaha, as he allowed five runs (four earned) on ten hits over seven innings. He struck out seven. Blake Wood was solid in his return to the Storm Chasers, as he worked around two hits in his one inning of relief. Casey Coleman allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks in the ninth. They sent ten men to the plate, though Omaha committed two errors.

*In roster news, speedy outfielder Terrance Gore was promoted from Wilmington. He pinch-ran in the eighth and stole his first Triple-A base.

NW Arkansas lost their series to Corpus Christi with a 7-2 loss in the finale. The Naturals are still five games back of first place.

It was Christian Binford‘s worst Double-A start. He allowed seven runs on ten hits and a walk over 6.2 innings. Binford was only losing 2-0 before the Hooks scored five runs over his final two innings. He allowed a two out, three-run home run in the sixth and a two out, two-run homer in the seventh.

Meanwhile, the Naturals collected just four hits, two of which came in their two-run 8th inning. Juan Graterol drove in both runs with a one out single (he also had a double in the second).

Brandon Finnegan made his Double-A debut with two scoreless innings. He escaped a two on and one out jam in the eighth.

*In roster news, Justin Trapp was placed on the DL with a wrist injury (he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday night). Outfielder Lane Adams was activated from the DL. He led off and went 1-for-5 with two stolen bases (he now has 31 on the season) while playing centerfield.

Wilmington was swept by visiting Myrtle Beach, losing the finale 5-1. The loss dropped the Blue Rocks to six games back of first place Potomac, but they are still two games back of second place Lynchburg. They now head to Frederick for three games (1/2 game up on the Keys).

Sean Manaea was solid in the loss, as he allowed five runs (just one earned) on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five. The Blue Rocks committed 5 two out errors (three by third baseman Ramon Torres). Andrew Edwards followed with 2.1 scoreless innings and Kyle Bartsch needed just 11 pitches in the ninth.

Until the 8th inning, the Blue Rocks had just two hits, both by Torres (a double and a triple). As a team, they struck out 11 times. Bubba Starling was called out on strikes in the sixth and was thrown out for arguing.

On the positive side, the Blue Rocks saw their 25 inning scoreless streak come to an end in the 3rd inning. Their lone run scored on a Jack Lopez ground out.

Fred Ford made his High-A debut and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout, while playing both left and right field.

Lexington walked off against visiting Greenville, 2-1 in ten innings. The two teams combined for ten hits, all singles.

The game was scoreless until the 8th inning, when both teams scored single runs. The Drive took the 1-0 lead in the top of the eighth on a throwing error. The Legends tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Kenny Diekroeger‘s sac fly.

With runners at the corners and one out in the bottom of the tenth, Dominique Taylor delivered the game winning RBI single (one of his three hits). Humberto Arteaga scored both runs.

Alec Mills was stellar in the no decision for the Legends. He allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out six and induced six ground outs. Mills did not allow another base runner after a single led off the 2nd inning.

Jose Miguel Rodriguez earned the win in relief, as he allowed an unearned run on just two hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out two and induced seven ground outs.

*Colin Rodgers made his 2014 debut, getting the start for Burlington. He allowed two runs on two hits and two wild pitches in the first (his only inning). Brian Fletcher started in left field for the Royals and went 0-for-2 with two more strikeouts.

*Brooks Pounders made his fourth start (fifth appearance) for Idaho Falls. He allowed two hits and a walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.