KC Royals Jake Junis Dominant in Blue Rocks Victory

Omaha lost in walk off fashion in Nashville, 4-3.

With two outs and a runner on first base, Chris Dwyer (who allowed a solo home run in the 8th inning) allowed a single to centerfield. However, the winning run scored on the fielding error by Reymond Fuentes.

The loss came after Fuentes led off the top of the ninth with a solo homer to tie the game at 3-3.

On offense, Balbino Fuenmayor had two hits, including a triple and a run scored in the seventh that tied the game at 2-2.

Miguel Almonte made his Triple-A debut and struck out eight over five innings. He allowed one run on one hit and a walk. Almonte struck out the first four batters he faced and six of the first seven. He allowed the only hit with one out in the fourth. The run he allowed came after a leadoff hit batter in the fifth, two balks, a walk, and a sac fly.

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NW Arkansas

held on for the

victory in Springfield.

Christian Binford had one of his best starts of the season, allowing just one run over six innings. He allowed six hits and a walk while striking out six. Kyle Zimmer earned the save, though it was dicey in the ninth. He allowed a run and had runners at first and second base, but induced a ground out to end the game.

With two outs in the sixth, Lane Adams (who went 4-for-4) delivered a two-run double to give the Naturals the lead. Zane Evans followed with an infield single and the throwing error scored Adams.

Wilmington beat Frederick in the pitcher’s duel, 3-1.

Jake Junis delivered for the Blue Rocks when they were in desperate need of a long, solid start. Junis allowed a run on four hits and a walk over eight innings. In earning his fourth win of the season, he struck out five.

The Blue Rocks took the lead in the bottom of the fifth by scoring two runs, one on a Logan Moon double and the other on a Jack Lopez ground out.

*The Blue Rocks added three new players from Lexington on Thursday, including first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, who started and went 1-for-4 with an RBI. Fellow first baseman Cody Stubbs retired. Starter Alec Mills was placed on the DL with a finger injury (he will not throw for a week and be re-evaluated). Pitchers Evan Beal and Torey Deshazier were also added to the roster, as Sean Manaea was promoted to NWA (he should start for the Naturals on Monday).

Lexington lost their series opener in West Virginia, 10-6.

The Legends hit three home runs in the loss. Brandon Downes (2-for-5) hit a two-run shot in the third which gave them the short-lived lead. Corey Toups (3-for-5) hit a solo homer in the seventh, while Mike Hill (2-for-3) hit a solo shot in the eighth.

The Legends also had three outfield assists, including Downes throwing a runner out at the plate from center field.

Yunior Marte allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks over the first four innings. He struck out three. Colin Rodgers took the loss, as he allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out two.

Burlington lost to Pulaski, 7-3.

Enmanuel Camacho took the loss, as he allowed five runs on seven hits (including a home run) over three innings. Joseph Markus followed and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out five. Alex Luna pitched 1.1 hitless innings of relief.

Ben Johnson hit his first professional home run, a solo shot in the 2nd inning. Brandon Thomasson added a solo shot in the fifth (one of his two hits).

Next: What to Watch for in the Second Half