KC Royals: Weekly Minor League Breakdown

AA – Northwest Arkansas Naturals (21-17)

Starting their week in the middle of a series with the Tulsa Drillers, the Naturals dropped the second game of a four game series. Alfredo Escalera and Frank Schwindel collected three hit each in this one, but a rough start by Emilio Ogando proved to be costly. The Naturals fell 9-4.

They ended up losing the series on Saturday, falling by the same score. Humberto Arteaga and Logan Moon each collected three hits, but the bullpen struggled, giving up six runs in 3.1 innings.

Tulsa finished off a four game sweep on Sunday, winning 10-2. The bullpen was rocked again, giving up eleven hits and eight runs in three innings, wasting a good Matt Tenuta start.

The Naturals then went the road to play the Arkansas Travelers for the second straight week. NW Arkansas ended a four game skid in the series opener, prevailing 6-2. The Naturals had four players with multi-hit games. Miguel Almonte tossed 3.2 innings of one run ball. Filling the strike zone again, Almonte embarked on his Texas League seventh best SwStr%.

NW Arkansas then took the next two games in the series.

Returning the favor, going for a four game sweep in Thursday, the Naturals fell short. Prospect Corey Ray got roughed up a bit in his start. But reliever Tim Hill did toss 2.1 scoreless innings. He’s struggled so far this year, allowing the second highest LD% in the Texas League among pitchers with at least ten innings.