KC Royals Minors Recap: Kyle Zimmer Makes Season Debut

Omaha lost their first game in Albuquerque, 12-3.

It was a rough night for the Storm Chasers pitching, from start to finish. Yohan Pino allowed eight runs on 11 hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. He did strike out seven. Chris Dwyer then allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over two innings. Louis Coleman allowed a two-run home run in the seventh.

The offense collected ten hits, but went 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Francisco Pena went 2-for-4, but hit into two double plays. Leadoff hitter Whit Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Reymond Fuentes went 2-for-5 with an RBI and his ninth stolen base.

NW Arkansas had their first game against San Antonio postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday.

Wilmington lost the finale in Potomac, 3-1. The two teams split the four-game series.

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The game was tied at 1-1 until the P-Nats scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth.

For the second time in the series, the Blue Rocks received a complete game start. However this time, it came in a loss. Eric Skoglund took the hard luck loss, as he allowed three runs on ten hits and a walk over eight innings. He struck out three.

The Blue Rocks collected just five hits, including a triple by Ramon Torres. He scored the game’s first run in the top of the third on Mauricio Ramos‘ sac fly. They had the tying run on third base with two outs, but Dexter Kjerstad struck out to end the game.

*In roster news, catcher Cam Gallagher was placed on the DL with a hamstring injury he sustained in the first game of the series. Fellow catcher Parker Morin was added from extended spring training and is looking to make his season debut.

Lexington beat Greenville, 10-3. The Legends collected 19 hits.

Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado broke the tie in the third with a solo home run. He went 5-for-5 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. With two outs in the same inning, Wander Franco hit a two-run homer (one of his three hits).

Elier Hernandez hit a double and a triple and scored three runs. Chase Vallot went 2-for-5. Samir Duenez went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Corey Toups went 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base.

The offensive outburst made a winner of Zach Lovvorn, who allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over five innings. He struck out four and induced eight ground outs.

KC Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer made his season debut and left with the bases loaded in the seventh (1.2 IP, H, 0R, 2BB, K), but Jake Newberry escaped the jam and went on to throw 2.1 perfect innings of relief with four strikeouts. Zimmer did induce four ground outs.

Next: Alcides Escobar is Miscast as Leadoff Hitter