KC Royals May 8th Minors Recap

Omaha lost their series opener to OKC, 2-1.

Aaron Brooks was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out nine. Scott Alexander then allowed just one hit over three scoreless innings. He threw just 29 pitches.

The Storm Chasers collected just five hits, three from Casey Kotchman. They had the chance to tie the game in the eighth after Lane Adams doubled in a run, but could not come up with a clutch hit.

They also lost shortstop Gabriel Noriega in the fourth, which moved everyone around and Jose Martinez (who is 6’7) had to play second base for the first time in his career. Now the only shortstop on their roster is utility man Whit Merrifield (Ryan Jackson was just traded and Orlando Calixte is still sitting the bench in the big leagues).

NW Arkansas split the series in Springfield, as they lost the finale, 5-0.

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The Naturals collected six hits, all singles.

and

had two hits each.

Jonathan Dziedzic took the loss, as he allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five. Ali Williams then threw two hitless innings, with two walks and three strikeouts. Sam Selman allowed two hits in the eighth.

Wilmington lost their series opener to Lynchburg, 6-0.

The big news of the day was the debut of veteran Rafael Furcal, who returned to the Carolina League for the first time since helping Myrtle Beach share the title back in 1999 (with the Blue Rocks). He went 2-for-4 while starting at shortstop and batting second.

The Blue Rocks collected eight hits, but hit into two double plays and struck out ten times.

Jake Junis took the loss, as he allowed all six runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out seven, but also allowed two home runs to Luigi Rodriguez (a two-run shot and a solo shot).

The Blue Rocks bullpen was solid, as Robinson Yambati threw just one pitch to get out of the sixth. Estarlin Cordero pitched two hitless innings of relief. Andrew Edwards needed just seven pitches to finish off the Hillcats in the ninth.

Lexington was the lone KC Royals affiliate to win on Friday night, taking the series finale over Charleston, 5-3.

The Legends scored two runs in the first and came back to win the game with single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth.

Carlos Garcia‘s solo home run in the fifth broke the tie. It was his first homer of the season. Elier Hernandez drove in the two runs in the first with a one out single. He had three hits, including a double, and scored a run. Corey Toups went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Torey Deshazier earned the win, though he allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four. Pedro Fernandez was lights out over the next three innings, as he allowed just one hit while striking out six. Kevin McCarthy earned his second save with a perfect ninth.

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