KC Royals Minors Recap: Jack Lopez Powers Wilmington

Omaha swept Nashville by winning the Sunday afternoon finale, 7-1. The Storm Chasers took the lead in the top of the third with six runs.

The Storm Chasers singled Nashville to death (all eight hits were singles). In the 3rd inning, they collected four singles, three walks (two with the bases loaded), a hit batter, and took advantage of two Sounds errors. Two of the four singles were hit by J.C. Boscan.

In the win, Paulo Orlando and Dusty Coleman each had two hits and scored a run.

The Sounds scored their lone run in the first on a solo home run off Storm Chasers starter Andy Ferguson (who was just activated). Ferguson allowed that one run on two hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out four after not pitching since June 2nd. Casey Coleman earned the victory in relief, as he allowed a hit and walked one over four scoreless innings. He struck out three.

*Former Storm Chaser Ryan Verdugo pitched the ninth for the Sounds (1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K). He struck out both Casey Kotchman and Matt Fields on called strikes.

NW Arkansas continued its dominance over Arkansas, winning the first game of the series, 3-1. The two teams finish the first half on Monday.

Christian Binford allowed just one run on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out four. Daniel Stumpf followed with two hitless innings while striking out three. Malcom Culver earned his sixth save with a perfect ninth.

More from KC Royals Prospects

• The Maikel Garcia mistake the KC Royals may be making
• KC Royals Prospects: 7 selected for Fall League play
• KC Royals Prospects: What to do with Stephen Woods Jr.?
• KC Royals: 3 good candidates for 2 September callups
• KC Royals Prospects News: Top draft pick is sizzling

The Naturals collected just five hits (two by

), though three were doubles. They scored all three runs in the top of the fourth.

doubled in the first run. A sac fly scored the second run before

drove in the final run with a single.

Wilmington won both the suspended game and their seven inning affair in Frederick to end the first half and head into the All-Star break. The Blue Rocks took the first game 6-0.

When play from Saturday night resumed on Sunday afternoon, Jack Lopez hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth. In the eighth, Robert Pehl hit his first homer of the season.

Kevin McCarthy earned the win in relief. He allowed a hit and walked one over three scoreless innings on Saturday night. Matthew Strahm then threw four scoreless with six strikeouts on Sunday.

The Blue Rocks won the second game, 6-1.

Lopez hit his third homer of the season, a solo shot in the first (one of his two hits). He would drive in two more runs in the seventh. Mauricio Ramos hit a solo homer in the fourth (one of his two hits). Pehl and Cameron Gallagher also had two hits in the victory.

Ashton Goudeau earned the win in the spot start. He allowed an unearned run (he had the error) on four hits over five innings. He struck out three. Andrew Edwards returned after not pitching since June 1st. He threw a perfect sixth inning.

Lexington lost their series finale to Rome, 3-0 to end the first half and head into the All-Star break.

Though the Legends out-hit the Braves, 8-5, they went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and had a base runner picked off.

The Legends 3-4 hitters (Ryan O’Hearn and Elier Hernandez) went a combined 5-for-8 but obviously did not score a run.

Niklas Stephenson was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. Kyle Zimmer allowed a solo home run in the ninth (3IP, 2H, R, 0BB, 5K).

Next: Eric Skoglund Making His Presence Felt