KC Royals Bubba Starling Hits for Cycle in Naturals Victory

Despite all the trades and injuries, Omaha keeps making their move up in the Pacific Coast League standings (just four games back). The Storm Chasers won in Round Rock, 2-0.

Miguel Almonte improved to 2-0 in Triple-A by throwing five one-hit innings. He did however walk four (and strike out six). Scott Alexander earned his 12th save with two scoreless innings of relief.

The Storm Chasers hit four doubles, including two with two outs that drove in runs. Jose Martinez had one of them (one of his two hits). Reymond Fuentes and Whit Merrifield also had two hits in the win.

NW Arkansas beat first place Arkansas, 10-4.

It was a big offensive night for the Naturals, especially for Bubba Starling. He hit for the cycle, with his broken bat single completing it in the 9th inning. Starling grounded out in his first at-bat, but then he hit a three-run home run in the third, doubled in the fifth, and tripled in the seventh.

Alex Liddi also homered, a two-run shot in the first. Jorge Bonifacio had two hits in the win, while leadoff hitter Ramon Torres went 3-for-5.

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All the offense made a winner of

, who allowed a run on two hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

followed and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings. He struck out three. Zimmer allowed a double and a homer in the eighth (his third inning of work).

allowed a run in the ninth.

*In roster news, infielder Gabriel Noriega was promoted to Omaha, as pitcher Brooks Pounders was added to the roster.

Wilmington had their series opener in Winston-Salem rained out. The two teams will play an afternoon doubleheader on Wednesday.

Lexington was swept by Hickory, losing the finale, 6-2.

Yunior Marte took the loss, as he allowed four runs on six hits, a hit batter, and three walks over 3.2 innings. Marte also threw two wild pitches. Colin Rodgers followed and allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out one.

On offense for the Legends, Anderson Miller went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Idaho Falls lost to Orem, 5-4.

Chukars leadoff hitter Cody Jones went 4-for-5 with a triple. Amalani Fukofuka, Roman Collins, and Marten Gasparini each had two hits in the loss. Gasparini hit his fifth triple of the season.

Derek Gordon got the start and allowed two runs on nine hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out two. Drew Milligan followed and took the loss, as he allowed three runs on two hits and two walks while recording just two outs.

Burlington was rained out in Danville and it will be made up as a doubleheader on August 14th.

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