KC Royals Minors Recap: Jack Lopez Keys Victory On Defense
Omaha lost to Colorado Springs, 4-0. The Sky Sox scored two runs in the first and never looked back.
That made a loser of Casey Coleman, who allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. Clayton Mortensen then allowed two runs on five hits over four innings. Louis Coleman worked a scoreless ninth.
The Storm Chasers collected six hits, all singles. Brett Eibner went 2-for-4. He also won a bet over reliever Buddy Baumann, as his Arkansas Razorbacks beat Baumann’s Missouri State Bears to head to the College World Series. You have to check out both the bet and Baumann’s new haircut.
NW Arkansas was swept in San Antonio, losing the finale by a 10-5 score. They went just 1-5 on the road trip, but are still in first place in the North Division of the Texas League.
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The Naturals were leading 5-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth before the Missions scored nine runs against three Naturals relievers.
Malcom Culverwas the first reliever in the 8th inning and recorded two outs. However, he also allowed three doubles and a single (accumulating three runs). In came
Daniel Stumpf, who not only allowed an inherited runner to score, but five of his own on five hits and two walks.
Aroni Ninagot an infield pop up to FINALLY end the inning.
That came after Miguel Almonte had one of his best starts of the season. He allowed a run on four hits, a walk, and a hit batter. Ali Williams then threw two scoreless innings of relief.
On offense, the Naturals collected 12 hits, but had two runners thrown out on the bases by the Missions’ outfielders. Leadoff hitter Lane Adams went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Hunter Dozier went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Alex Liddi went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs.
*A day after being replaced in the 10th inning on defense, centerfielder Bubba Starling did not play for the Naturals.
Wilmington finished off the four-game sweep over visiting Frederick with a 7-4 victory on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Rocks now have a six game lead in the Northern Division of the Carolina League (over both the Keys and Lynchburg).
The Blue Rocks collected eight hits and capitalized on six Frederick errors. Santiago Nessy broke the 1-1 tie in the bottom of the fourth with a two out, two-run home run (one of his two hits). Leadoff hitter Carlos Garcia went 2-for-5 with a double and a triple.
For the second straight game, the Keys manager was ejected. On Sunday, it came on a great catch by Jack Lopez on a pop up, with Lopez then throwing a runner out at the plate to end the 7th inning (three Keys were ejected). The game was 5-4 at the time.
Kevin McCarthy earned the win in relief of Alec Mills (5IP, 5H, 3R, 2BB, 5K). McCarthy allowed one run on three hits and two walks over two innings (he also recorded a blown save). Estarlin Cordero earned his fourth save of the season with two scoreless innings of relief.
Lexington blew a 5-0 lead and lost in extra innings in Augusta, 6-5.
Scott Blewett delivered his longest start of his career, as he pitched six shutout innings for the Legends. He allowed just four hits (two doubles) while striking out four.
The Legends bullpen could not hold the lead. Colin Rodgers entered in the seventh and allowed two runs on four hits and a wild pitch. In the 8th inning, the Green Jackets tied the game against Rodgers on four more hits, a walk, and a sac fly. Rodgers settled down from there (three scoreless innings).
Evan Beal took the loss, as he entered in the bottom of the 12th inning and walked the first batter he faced. After a sac bunt, he walked another batter before allowing a walk off single to right field.
On offense for the Legends, Elier Hernandez went 4-for-6 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado went 3-for-6 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Samir Duenez went 2-for-5 with a stolen base.
*A little Kyle Zimmer news: It seems that he took himself out after Saturday night’s perfect inning of relief for Lexington. His velocity was down and his shoulder was hurting, AGAIN. Zimmer has once again been shut down.