KC Royals Brett Eibner Powers Omaha to Victory

Omaha has now won seven in a row with a 3-1 victory over Colorado Springs. They are now just 4.5 games back of first place in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division.

The Storm Chasers hit two solo home runs, one in the third by Brett Eibner and one in the sixth by Jose Martinez. Both had two hits in the win, with Eibner driving in a run in the first on a two out single. Whit Merrifield also had two hits in the win.

Aaron Brooks was solid in picking up his sixth win of the season. He allowed a run on three hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out two. Louis Coleman followed with a perfect seventh before lefty Troy Patton allowed two hits in the eighth. In came Michael Mariot, who earned his seventh save with 1.2 hitless innings of relief.

*On a negative note, infielder Dusty Coleman fouled a ball off his face in the 2nd inning (his first at-bat of the game) and was pulled in favor of Angel Franco (1-for-3).

NW Arkansas beat Springfield, 6-2.

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The Naturals scored four runs in the top of the second on six singles.

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each had two hits in the win.

went 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

J.C. Sulbaran made the start in place of the traded Cody Reed. He allowed a run on four hits and three walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out six and left with the bases loaded in the fourth. Daniel Stumpf escaped the jam by getting a strikeout.

Stumpf followed and allowed a solo home run in his 2.1 innings of relief (three strikeouts). Mark Peterson was credited with the win (and the save according to MiLB.com) with three scoreless innings of relief.

Wilmington was shut out by Lynchburg, 2-0.

It seemed like every time the Blue Rocks had a base runner, they hit into a double play (they hit into four of them). Logan Moon was also picked off second base in the 8th inning with two on and nobody out.

Brooks Pounders was solid in his second start with the Blue Rocks. He allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. He struck out five and only threw 70 pitches. One of the runs scored when he was pulled in the 7th inning with runners on the corners.

“I thought I threw the ball pretty well,” Pounders said after the game. “I made a couple of bad pitches in key situations but you live with that.” Pounders is working his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2013 and a lat injury this spring.

Kevin McCarthy entered in relief and allowed an RBI single to the first batter he faced. He then retired eight in a row.

Lexington lost their second straight to Hickory, 11-4.

The Legends scored three runs in the first for the short-lived 3-0 lead. Wander Franco hit a two-run home run (one of his two hits).

Foster Griffin dropped to 0-4 by allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits and two walks over three innings. Emilio Ogando then allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. Jake Newberry then threw 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Idaho Falls beat Orem, 4-2.

The Chukars broke the 1-1 tie with a three-run top of the sixth. Amalani Fukofuka doubled to start the inning and scored on a single. Logan Nottebrok drove in two runs with a one out single.

The Chukars hit three triples: one each by Fukofuka, Roman Collins, and Ryan Dale.

Todd Eaton earned the win, as he allowed an unearned run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out two. Josh Staumont followed and allowed a run on three hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. He struck out two. Brandon Thomas earned his first save with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Burlington lost to Greeneville in walk off fashion, 5-4. With the bases loaded and one out, a single set off the celebration.

Brandon Dulin hit a solo home run in the fifth that gave the Royals a 4-2 lead. Austin Bailey and Xavier Fernandez each had two hits in the loss.

Matt Ditman took the loss, as he allowed the run in the ninth (2IP, 4H, R, BB, 4K). Julio Pinto got the start and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk over 3.1 innings. Eric Sandness followed and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over three innings. He struck out three.

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