KC Royals Minors Recap: Kyle Zimmer Promoted to Naturals

By Jen Nevius |

Omaha beat New Orleans, 5-2. The Storm Chasers scored four runs in the second and never looked back.

In that 2nd inning, Whit Merrifield hit a three-run home run (one of his two hits). Orlando Calixte and Casey Kotchman each had two hits in the win. Brett Eibner went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

Aaron Brooks earned his fifth victory, as he allowed two runs on six hits and two walks. He struck out three, but allowed a solo home run. Michael Mariot walked one over 1.1 scoreless innings, before Scott Alexander earned his sixth save with a perfect ninth (seven pitches, five for strikes).

NW Arkansas returned from the All-Star break with their offense clicking, as they won in Frisco, 15-4.

The Naturals offense got going in the second when Hunter Dozier doubled in Balbino Fuenmayor and then scored on an error. In the 3rd inning, they scored nine runs on eight hits and two errors.

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In the sixth,

Jorge Bonifacio

hit a solo home run and with two outs,

Alex Liddi

hit a two-run homer. Bonifacio drove in four runs in the game, while Liddi went 3-for-5.

Lane Adams

led off the 7th inning with a home run (2-for-3 with three walks).

Sam Selman earned the win in relief of Miguel Almonte (2IP, 0H, 0R 2BB, 4K). Selman struck out the side in the 3rd inning. J.C. Sulbaran followed and allowed a run on three hits over three innings while striking out three. Daniel Stumpf struggled in his one inning of work (back-to-back homers after a leadoff double to start the ninth).

*In roster news, Micah Gibbs was placed on the DL and Parker Morin was activated. Reliever Ali Williams was released to make room for Kyle Zimmer. Zimmer made his debut and struck out five of the six batters he faced over two scoreless innings of relief.

Wilmington held on for the 3-2 victory, despite committing four errors.

Luis Rico made his first appearance for the Blue Rocks in the second half in the start. He allowed three hits and walked two over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out nine. Matt Strahm allowed two runs in the seventh and then loaded the bases in the ninth with one out. However, Strahm did what he does best, struck out the final two batters (both Hillcats All-Stars) to earn his first save.

On offense for the Blue Rocks, Carlos Garcia and Cody Stubbs each had two hits and a run scored. Frank Schwindel also had two hits and drove in a run.

Lexington lost to Rome, 5-1. The Legends scored their lone run in the ninth.

The Legends collected 11 hits, but went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Leadoff hitter Corey Toups went 3-for-5. The bottom two in the order, Samir Duenez and Chad Johnson, each had two hits and a walk in the loss.

Scott Blewett took the loss, as he allowed three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out two.

*In roster news, infielder Luis Valenzuela was added to the roster to replace Zimmer, who was promoted to NWA.

Idaho Falls‘ offense busted out for a 16-4 victory over Ogden. The Chukars scored ten runs between the sixth and seventh innings.

Of the Chukars 14 hits, just two went for extra bases. Alexis Rivera hit a grand slam in the 7th inning with two outs. Catcher Pedro Gonzalez doubled, one of his two hits. Amalani Fukofuka went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Todd Eaton earned the win, as he allowed three runs on five hits over five innings. Brandon Thomas followed with three scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Burlington beat Kingsport, 6-4. The Royals broke the tie in the bottom of the eighth with two runs on Brandon Dulin‘s home run.

Dulin was checked for too much pine tar earlier in the game. Alex Newman also drove in two runs.

Matt Tenuta made another rehab start and allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits over two innings. He allowed a two-run homer in the first. Christian Flecha allowed one run on one hit and a walk over three innings. He struck out three. After Eric Sandness walked two and struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief, Daniel Concepcion earned the victory with three scoreless innings (one hit and three strikeouts).

In Arizona, three players are currently rehabbing with the Royals. Brooks Pounders made the Thursday night start, and struck out two in one inning of work. Jose Martinez played in his third game, going 3-for-9 with two doubles. Outfielder Reymond Fuentes was also playing in his third game, going 3-for-8 with two doubles, a triple, and four runs scored. However, Thursday night’s game was just in the 6th inning when I finished writing this.

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