Royals on the Farm 6/29

AAA -- Omaha: New Orleans 4, O-Royals 1

DH Gload 2-4, HR (1), RBI (1), RS -- .500, that's the way to start rehab
CF Maier 1-4, 2B (16), K -- .285
2B Aviles 1-4 -- .308
1B Brazell 1-4, K -- .325
C Tupman 0-3, PB (8) -- .286
LF Lubanski 0-3, 2 K -- .000, AAA debut

Bale 1 2/3 IP, UER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 0.00 ERA
Hendrickson 5 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K, HRA -- 5.31 ERA
Markray 2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB -- 4.35 ERA

The Royals only averted the shutout with a Ross Gload homer in the 9th as the Zephyrs salvaged one game of the 3-game set. Ben Hendrickson relieved rehabbing John Bale with 2 on and 2 out in the 2nd and a Matt Tupman passed ball allowed the Zephyrs to take the lead. Hendrickson gave up a leadoff homer in the 3rd and 4 straight singles for 2 runs in the 6th to make it 4-0. Omaha stranded 2 in the 1st in their best shot at scoring. Thad Markray left the bases full in the 9th and Gload led off the Omaha 9th with a homer but it didn't spark a rally. Zephyrs SS Anderson Hernandez was 2-5 with his 4th homer and 30th RBI to move to .259 and starter Brian Lawrence went the distance and allowed an ER on 6 hits with 5 Ks to improve to 5-4 with a 5.13 ERA.

Omaha is 39-43 and 9 1/2 games out. A 4-game home set with the Oklahoma RedHawks (40-40, AAA Rangers) starts tonight. Probable starters: former Royals LH Mark Redman (1-3, 6.06) vs. Omaha RH Billy Buckner (7-2, 3.86). Omaha is 7-5 versus Oklahoma. P Tyler Lumsden will miss a start with a "dead arm".

AA -- Wichita: rainout

The game will be made up in Corpus Christi at a later date. A 3-game home set with the San Antonio Missions (6-3, AA Pads) starts tonight. Not sure on starters because of Friday's rainout.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Lynchburg 6, Blue Rocks 5 (10)

CF Duarte 2-4, 2 BB, 2B (12), 2 RBI (20), RS, SB (21) -- .293
DH Vega 3-5, RBI (27), K, RS -- .220
LF Jirschele 1-4, BB, 2B (1), RBI (1), RS -- .286
PH Lisson 1-1, RBI (40) -- .271
3B Maddox 0-5 -- .261
1B McCann 1-4, BB, 2B (1), K -- .273
SS McConnell 0-3, BB -- .235
*11 Blue Rocks were stranded.

Pimentel 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 K, E (3) -- ND, 2.67 ERA
D'Amico 2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- BS, 2, 4.18 ERA
Barnes IP, 2 ER, 2 H, K, 2 HRA -- L, 1-3, 3.72 ERA

Wilmington blew an 8th inning lead and lost the game in 10. SP Julio Pimentel gave up a run on a hit and walk in the 1st but held the Hillcats in check otherwise through 7 innings. The Rocks left 2 in scoring position in the 1st and stranded 2 in the 3rd but broke through in the 6th. Jeremy Jirschele got it started with an RBI ground out and Lynchburg SP Kyle Bloom left with the bases loaded before Jose Duarte singled home 2 runs to make it 3-1 Rocks. RP Yovany D'Amico came in for the 8th and gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to RF Brad Corley to tie the game. A run on a walk, steal and base hit in the 9th gave Lynchburg a 4-3 lead but Wilmington got a leadoff double from Duarte in the bottom of the 9th and Miguel Vega singled him home. Brett Bigler tried to score the winning run from second on a wild pitch but got thrown out at home to end the rally. Justin Barnes came in to pitch the 10th and served up 2 solo homers. Mario Lisson hit a 2-out pinch RBI single to cut the lead to 1 in the bottom of the 10th but Duarte grounded out to end it. Hillcats 2B Shelby Ford was 4-5 with his 10th SB, 2 doubles (17) and 2 RBI (39) to move to .259 and RP Matt Swanson blew his 1st save but got the win with 2 IP of 2 ER on 4 hits, a walk and 2 Ks to improve to 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA.

Wilmington is 6-3 and tied for first. A 3-game home set with the Salem Avalanche (2-5, A-Adv. Astros) starts tonight. Probable starters: Rocks righty Tyler Chambliss (Blue Rocks debut) and Astros prospect LH Brian Bogusevic (6-5, 3.30). Wilmington is 5-4 versus Salem.

A -- Burlington: Peoria 7, Bees 1

C Morizio 1-3, BB, RBI (18), PB (5) -- .234
CF Robinson 1-4, K -- .264
DH Bianchi 0-4, 2 K -- .235
LF Dickerson 1-4, 2B (13), RS -- .288
SS Mertins 1-4, 2B (11), 2 E (14) -- .260

Cribb 5 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 6 K, HRA -- L, 1-7, 6.24 ERA
Cegarra 3 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 2 H, 3 K, HRA -- 3.93 ERA

Burlington only averted the shutout with a 9th inning run. The Chiefs got it started with a 2-run homer by 3B Josh Lansford in the 3rd and a 2-out, 2-run double by RF James Adduci in the 4th made it 4-0 Peoria. The Bees left 2 in scoring position in the 6th and 2 errors by Kurt Mertins along with a Matt Morizio passed ball helped the Chiefs score 2 in the 7th. RP Ed Cegarra gave up a homer in the 8th before Morizio singled home a run in the 9th to make the final score 7-1. Lansford was 2-4 with his 3rd homer and 3 RBI (38) to move to .292, Adduci was 2-4 with his 10th double and 2 RBI (21) to move to .269 and SP Jose Pina got the win with 7 IP of 4 hits, 3 walks and 2 Ks to improve to 2-7 with a 5.11 ERA.

Burlington is 6-3 and 1/2 a game up on first. Game 2 of the set is tonight. Probable starters: Bees LH Everett Teaford (3-7, 5.54) vs. Peoria RH Marco Carrillo (1-3, 5.02).

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 6, Orem 5

C Balduf 3-4, 2 RBI (5) -- .333
SS Juan 2-3, BB, 2B (5), RBI (3), 2 RS -- .229
DH Van Stratten 2-5, RBI (6), RS -- .286
RF Gonzalez 1-4, BB, 2B (4), RBI (6), K, RS -- .326
2B Evangelho 1-4, RBI (5) -- .346
CF Ortiz 0-3, BB, S, K -- .353
3B Seratelli 1-3, BB, HBP, K, RS, 2 SB (6), E (8) -- .333
1B Van De Keere 0-4, BB, E (3) -- .333

Kniginyzky 5 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 7 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- 5.40 ERA
Swaggerty 2 IP, UER, 3 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- 3.38 ERA
Holland 2 IP, H, 4 K, WP -- BS, 3, W, 3-0, 0.00 ERA

Nick Van Stratten hit a clutch single in the 9th and Idaho Falls took game 2 with Orem. Todd Balduf and Zach Evangelho singled home runs in the 2nd to get the Chukars started but starter Matt Kniginyzky gave up a leadoff homer in the 2nd to cut the lead to 1. O.D. Gonzalez hit an RBI double and Manni Juan added an RBI single in the 3rd to make it 4-1. Kniginyzky gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and a Devery Van De Keere error and the Owlz tied it at 4. Balduf broke the tie with an 8th inning RBI single but RP Greg Holland gave up an RBI single in the bottom of the 8th to blow the save. The Chukars loaded the bases with 1 out in the 9th and, after Gonzalez struck out, Van Stratten came through with a single to score Alvi Morel for the lead run. Holland pitched a perfect 9th to nail down the win. Orem 1B Gordon Gronkowski was 3-4 with his 2nd homer and 13th RBI to move to .457 and RP Jordan Towns took the loss with an IP of an ER on a hit, 2 walks and a K to drop to 1-1 with a 1.29 ERA.

The Chukars are 9-2 and 3 games back. The series ends tonight. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- Burlington: Elizabethton 2, B-Royals 0 (susp./rain)

The game will finish tonight before the regularly scheduled game that will wrap up the 2-game set. No announced starters on the team site. IF Josh Harris has joined the B-Royals.

Rookie -- AZL: Cubs 5, Royals 4

SS Donovan 1-4, RBI (5), E (2) -- .333
2B Angel 0-3, SF, RBI (3), K -- .222
DH Craze 0-4, RBI (1) -- .100
CF Richardson 1-4, BB, K, RS, CS -- .167
RF Pennell 1-4, 2 RS, SB (3) -- .304
3B F. Cruz 0-4, E (3) -- .143

Farinas 4 IP, 3 H, BB, K -- 0.00 ERA
Jorge 0 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB -- 72.00 ERA
Hodgson 3 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K -- 3.86 ERA
Biddle IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K, WP -- L, 0-1, 4.50 ERA

The Cubs got a walkoff hit in the 9th to drop the Royals to yet another loss. A Cubs error got the Royals on the board in the 3rd and Dennis Donovan added an RBI single to make it 2-0. Ryan Angel hit a sac fly in the 4th to make it 3-0 but Victor Jorge came on for the 5th and couldn't hold it. Three Jorge walks and a passed ball scored the Cubs' first run and Ivor Hodgson was brought in only to give up a 2-run double to tie it at 3. Hilton Richardson was thrown out trying to steal third to kill a Royal rally in the 7th and the Cubs forged ahead with a run on 3 hits off Hodgson that inning. Ian Craze tied it for the Royals in the 8th with an RBI force out and RP George Biddle stranded 2 in scoring position that inning. Biddle walked the leadoff guy in the 9th and the Cubs won it on a triple by CF Luke Sommer. C Carlos Perez was 2-2 with his 1st double and 3 RBI (4) to move to .250, Sommer was 1-3 with his 1st error, 1st triple and 2nd RBI to improve to .273 and RP Scott Meyer went 1 2/3 IP of 2 Ks for his 1st blown save but 1st win to move to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

The Royals are 1-6. They played the Brewers today.

Royals on the Farm 6/28

AAA -- Omaha: O-Royals 9, New Orleans 0 (2-hitter)

C Tupman 2-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI (18) -- .291
3B Wathan 3-4, 2B (2), RBI (4), 2 RS, SB (1) -- .250
2B Aviles 2-5, 2 RBI (38) -- .309
CF Maier 2-3, 2 BB, RBI (36), 2 RS -- .286
RF Padilla 2-4, 2 2B (8), K, 2 RS -- .294
LF McCarthy 1-3, BB, HR (3), RBI (7), 2 RS -- .235
1B Brazell 0-4 -- .327
DH Lewis 1-4, S, 2B (6), RBI (19), K -- .239
SS Berroa 1-3, BB, RS -- .266

Elarton 6 IP, 2 H, K -- W, 2-2, 4.18 ERA, at least he's .500 at AAA....a very good start, anyway
Ray 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- 4.12 ERA
DeHoyos IP, BB, K, WP -- 4.97 ERA

Two hits and 2 walks were all that was allowed by Scott Elarton and 2 relievers as Omaha set up a potential sweep of the Zephyrs. Bill McCarthy got it started with his 3rd homer for Omaha that made it 1-0 in the 2nd. Matt Tupman hit a 2-out, 2-run single in the 4th to make it 3-0 and Elarton gave up both Zephyr hits in the 5th but stranded both runners. Mike Aviles hit a 2-run single in the 5th and the Royals touched up RP Willie Collazo for 4 runs in the 6th all with 2 outs on a passed ball that scored Jorge Padilla, an RBI double by Derek Wathan, a Mitch Maier RBI single and an RBI double by Richie Lewis that made it 9-0. Ken Ray and Gabe DeHoyos polished it off from there. Zephyrs 1B Andy Tracy was 1-3 to move to .310 and SP Jose Santiago took the loss with 5 IP of 5 ER on 7 hits, 2 walks and 2 Ks to drop to 3-4 with a 5.56 ERA.

Omaha is 39-42 and 8 1/2 games back. The series ends tonight. Probable starters: Zephyrs RH Brian Lawrence (4-4, 5.71) vs. once again rehabbing Omaha LH John Bale (0-0, 0.00). Craig Brazell was named as a reserve on the PCL All-Star squad that will take on the IL July 11 in Albuquerque. It will be shown on ESPN2. His 29 homers this season are officially the most in professional baseball. He is also set to be in the Home Run Derby at the AAA ASG July 9. Besides Bale, 1B/OF Ross Gload begins a rehab stint at Omaha tonight.

AA -- Wichita: Corpus Christi 7, Wranglers 2 (9/G1)

DH Stodolka 2-3, BB, 2 2B (16), RS, SB (2) -- .279
C Espino 2-4, RS -- .258
CF Greenberg 1-4, RBI (25), 2 K -- .248
RF Valentin 0-4, K -- .290
1B Kaaihue 0-3, BB -- .290

Rosa 5 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K, WP -- ND, 5.24 ERA
Hughes 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 BB, HRA -- BS, 1, 4.01 ERA
Mattox 2 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, HRA -- L, 0-1, 19.29 ERA, not a good debut

Even though the game went the standard 9 innings, it was in extras when the Hooks blistered D.J. Mattox in his Wichita debut to win the opener of a Thursday double dip. Mike Stodolka doubled and scored on a Hooks error in the 1st and Adam Greenberg hit a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd to make it 2-0 Wichita. Starter Carlos Rosa dodged trouble in the 1st and left the bases full in the 5th. Dusty Hughes came on for the 6th and gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to RF Francisco Caraballo to tie the game. Mattox stranded 2 in the 8th as CC starter Felipe Paulino retired 13 of 14 after Greenberg's RBI. Wichita stranded 2 in the 8th and Mattox loaded the bases with 2 out in the 9th only to give up a 2-run single to 2B Jonathan Ash and a 3-run homer to C J.R. Towles to blow the game open. The Wranglers went down in order in the 9th. Towles was 3-5 with his 6th double, 4th homer and 3 RBI (14) along with his 3rd SB to move to .313, Caraballo was 1-4 with his 7th homer and 2 RBI (27) to move to .250 and RP Brian Gordon picked up the win with 3 IP of 2 hits, a walk and 2 Ks in relief of Paulino to move to 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA.

Wranglers 3, Corpus Christi 2 (7/G2)

SS Falu 2-3, RS -- .249
1B Stodolka 1-3, 2 RBI (31), K -- .280
DH Kaaihue 1-3, 2B (3), RBI (4), RS -- .294
2B Valentin 0-3, K -- .286
C Donachie 0-1, S, K -- .193, return from DL

Atencio 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 5 K, 2 WP -- W, 3-4, 3.86 ERA

A 3-run 1st was all Greg Atencio needed in making another solid start to split the twinbill. Kila Kaaihue hit an RBI double and Mike Stodolka followed with a 2-run single to make it 3-0 but Stodolka was thrown out trying to get to second on the play. Wichita stranded 2 in the 2nd and Atencio gave up runs in the 3rd and 5th but sat the last 7 Hooks down consecutively to end it. Caraballo was 2-2 for the Hooks with his 28th RBI to move to .258 and SP Josh Muecke took the loss with 6 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 4 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to drop to 1-4 with a 4.98 ERA.

Wichita is 3-5 and 2 1/2 games back. The series ends tonight. Probable starters: Hooks righty Jimmy Barthmaier (2-4, 5.98) vs. Wranglers righty Luke Hochevar (3-6, 4.63, roughly 4.4/1 K/BB ratio).

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 5, Lynchburg 3

CF Duarte 3-5, 2B (11), RBI (18), SB (20) -- .290
C Thibault 1-3, BB, HR (2), 2 RBI (19), K, RS, SB (7) -- .267
SS Johnson 1-3, BB, 2B (6), RBI (16), RS -- .227
3B Lisson 0-4, HBP, 2 K -- .268
2B Jirschele 1-2, 2 BB, S -- .300
1B McCann 0-4, K -- .278
DH Perez 0-2, BB, HBP, RS, 2 SB (12) -- .308
*The Rocks left 10 on base.

Hardy 6 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, 6 K, 4 HBP, pickoff -- W, 10-1, 1.51 ERA, c'mon, move him up
Oliveros 2 IP, 3 H, 3 K -- 2.76 ERA
Haltiwanger 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H -- SV, 3, 3.63 ERA, saved by rain

Russ Haltiwanger was facing trouble in the 9th when the rain washed out the rest of the game to give the Rocks the win. Starter Rowdy Hardy again pitched well despite some problems of throwing the ball into Lynchburg batters. He hit 2 batters in the 1st and the Hillcats had 3 steals in the inning as RF Brad Corley hit a 2-run single with 2 outs to make it 2-0. That was the only hit Hardy would allow over 6 IP as the Rocks tied it with 2 in the 3rd on a Josh Johnson RBI double and a wild pitch that scored Johnson. Wilmington moved ahead with 2 in the 4th on a 2-run homer by Kiel Thibault for his 2nd of the season. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 6th and left the bases loaded in the 7th before scoring in the 8th on a 2-out RBI single by Jose Duarte to make it 5-2. There were 7 hit batsmen in the game and, after Wilver Perez got hit in the 8th, Lynchburg manager Jeff Branson was ejected. Haltiwanger put the first 2 on in the 9th and gave up a 1-out RBI single before the rain washed out the game with runners at first and second. Corley was 2-4 with 2 RBI (50) to move to .261 and SP Serguey Linares took the loss with 5 2/3 IP of 4 ER on 5 hits, 4 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 1-4 with a 5.46 ERA.

Wilmington is 6-2 and a game up on first. The series concludes tonight. Probable starters: Rocks right-hander Julio Pimentel (4-3, 2.80) vs. Hillcats lefty Kyle Bloom (7-6, 4.84). Hardy is the first Carolina League pitcher to 10 wins this season.

A -- Burlington: Bees 4, Kane County 3

DH Everett 2-4, RBI (24), RS -- .296
CF Dickerson 2-4, 2B (12), RBI (28), RS, picked off -- .289
1B Castillo 2-4, 2B (2) -- .250
3B Thompson 1-4, HR (15), RBI (42), K, RS -- .239
RF Peralta 1-4, RBI (7) -- .333

Mozingo 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 7-6, 4.35 ERA
Barrera 2 1/3 IP, H, 2 K -- 4.86 ERA
Hayes IP, ER, H, K -- SV, 5, 4.22 ERA

The Bees doubled Kane County up on hits, 10-5, and held on to take 3 in a row from the Cougars. A Brady Everett RBI single in the 1st made it 1-0 Bees but Kane County tied it in the 2nd on a double off starter Harold Mozingo. Mike Thompson put Burlington back ahead with a solo homer in the 3rd for his 15th of the season, Joe Dickerson hit an RBI single in the 5th and Felix Peralta drove in a run with a single in the 6th to make it 4-1 Bees. Mozingo retired 13 of 14 into the 6th and left with 2 out and 1 on. Henry Barrera gave up an RBI single but handed the 4-2 lead to Chris Hayes in the 9th. A 2-out RBI single cut the lead to 1 but Hayes got a clutch K to pick up his 5th save. Cougars 1B Greg Dowling was 1-3 with his 45th RBI to move to .276 and SP James Heuser took the loss with 7 IP of 4 ER on 9 hits and 6 Ks to drop to 6-3 with a 3.08 ERA.

Burlington is 6-2 and 1/2 a game up on first. The Bees start a 4-gamer at the Peoria Chiefs (4-4, A Cubs) tonight. The Bees are 6-2 versus the Chiefs. Probable game 1 starters: Bees' Josh Cribb (1-6, 6.15) vs. Chiefs' Jose Pina (1-7, 5.64).

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Orem 15, Chukars 8

3B Van De Keere 3-5, RBI (8), K, RS, E (2) -- .366
RF Van Stratten 2-2, HBP, 2 BB, 2 RS -- .273
2B Evangelho 2-5, 2 RBI (4) -- .364
1B Robinson 2-5, RS, E (4) -- .360
SS Seratelli 1-4, HBP, 2B (2), RBI (9), RS -- .333
CF Ortiz 1-5, RBI (2), K, RS, SB (1), CS -- .429
LF Gonzalez 1-4, BB, K, OF assists at second and home -- .333
*IF left 11 on base.

Denton 2 2/3 IP, 7 R (3 ER), 9 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HRA, E (1) -- L, 0-1, 6.43 ERA
Snipes 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K -- 9.95 ERA
Cassa 2 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- 5.63 ERA

Three IF pitchers got pummeled as Orem took the series opener. The Chukars grabbed an early lead with 3 in the 2nd on an Orem error that scored Clint Robinson, a wild pitch that scored Nick Van Stratten and an RBI ground out by Adrian Ortiz. Starter Chris Denton gave up a 2-run homer to LF Jeremy Moore in the bottom of the 2nd and 5 runs in the 3rd on a homer, 5 other hits and a Devery Van De Keere error. Clegg Snipes gave up 2 runs in the 4th to make it 9-3 but IF scored 4 in the 6th on a Zach Evangelho RBI single, an Owlz error that scored Ryan Eigsti, an RBI double by Anthony Seratelli and a Van De Keere RBI single that cut the lead to 9-7. Snipes gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 6th before RP Pat Cassa got out of the inning. The Chukars added a run in the 8th on a balk that scored Van De Keere but Orem scored 4 off Cassa that inning to lock down the 15-8 win. Orem 1B Gordon Gronkowski was 4-5 with his 1st homer and 6 RBI (12) to move to .429, 2B Hector Estrella was 4-5 with his 2nd homer, 5th RBI and 4 RS to move to .314 and RP Tremayne Holland got the win with 1 2/3 IP of an ER on 3 hits and 2 walks to move to 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA. RP Ryan Brasier picked up his 1st save.

Idaho Falls is 8-2 and 2 games up on first. The series continues tonight. No starters announced on the team site.

Rookie -- Burlington: rainout

The B-Royals start a 2-gamer at the Elizabethton Twins (7-1) tonight. No makeup date for the washout was announced, as far as I've read. Elizabethton's roster includes a handful of '07 Twins draftees as well as 7-1 RHP Ludovicus Van Mil (2-0, 1.23 in 2 starts).

Rookie -- AZL: Rangers 9, Royals 6

LF R. Arias 2-3, BB, 3B (1), RBI (2), K, RS -- .500
SS Jose 2-4, BB, 2B (1), RBI (2), RS, SB (2) -- .300
CF Richardson 1-4, 3B (1), 2 K, RS -- .150
C McCauley 1-3, BB, 2B (1) -- .167
3B F. Cruz 0-3, K, E (2) -- .176

Duffy 2 IP, BB, 4 K, E (1) -- 0.00 ERA, nice pro debut
Rada 2 2/3 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 6 H, 3 K -- 5.68 ERA
Mieles 1 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 2 WP -- 6.23 ERA
Santerre 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, 3 K -- L, 1-1, 5.40 ERA
Belanger 1 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- 7.36 ERA

The Royals blew a 4-0 lead and dropped yet another game. Hilton Richardson led off the Royals 1st with his first career triple and scored on a Lifete Jose single before Jose scored on a wild pitch and a Renny Arias triple brought 2 runs home thanks to a Ranger error. Third-round pick lefty Dan Duffy pitched a scoreless 2 innings in his pro debut but RP Orlando Rada gave up a run in the 3rd and, along with RP Edwin Mieles, allowed 2 runs in the 5th to cut the lead to 4-3. The Royals left 2 in scoring position in the 3rd but scored 2 in the 5th on a Sean McCauley double play ball and another wild pitch that scored a run to make it 6-3. The Rangers tied it off Mieles in the 6th but the Royals stranded 2 more in the 7th. RP Ryan Belanger came in with 2 on and 1 out in the 8th and allowed a 2-run single before giving up a solo homer in the 9th to make it 9-6 Rangers. RP Yoon-Hee Nam pitched a perfect 8th and 9th for his 1st save for the Rangers. Rangers CF Cody Podraza was 2-5 with his 4th SB, 3rd RBI and 2 RS to move to .375, 3B Emmanuel Solis was 3-5 with his 3rd double, 7th RBI and 2 SB (3) to move to .286 and RP Eleno Soto got the win with 2 IP of 2 hits and a K to improve to 2-0 with a 6.00 ERA.

The Royals dropped to 1-5. They lost to the Cubs today.

Royals on the Farm 6/27

AAA -- Omaha: O-Royals 3, New Orleans 1

1B Brazell 1-3, BB, HR (22), 2 RBI (42), K, RS -- .333
CF Maier 1-4, RBI (35) -- .282
SS Berroa 2-3, K -- .265
2B Aviles 1-4, 3B (4), RS -- .307

Wright 6 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, K -- W, 5-3, 3.58 ERA
Hoelscher IP, K -- 3.66 ERA
Braun 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- SV, 6, 1.74 ERA

Craig Brazell went yard once again and three Royals pitchers held the Zephyrs in check for the most part. Mike Aviles tripled with 2 out in the 1st and Brazell followed with his 22nd homer at AAA and 29th overall to give Omaha a 2-0 lead off Zephyrs SP Dave Williams. According to team reports, the ball hit the roof over the right-field bleachers at Rosenblatt and bounced out of the park. A 1-hit shutout by Matt Wright entering the 5th evaporated as New Orleans scored a run on 2 hits to cut the lead in half. Mitch Maier gave Omaha some insurance in the 7th with an RBI single and Ryan Braun left 2 on in the 8th and another in the 9th for a 2-inning save for his 6th of the season. New Orleans RF Ben Johnson was 2-4 with his 10th RBI to move to .271 and Williams took the loss with 6 1/3 IP of 3 ER on 6 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA.

Omaha is 38-42 and 8 1/2 games back. The series continues with a matinee today. Probable starters: Zephyrs RH Jose Santiago (3-3, 5.29) vs. Omaha RH Scott Elarton (1-2, 5.60, rehabbing again).

AA -- Wichita: rainout

The opener with Corpus Christi was postponed and will be made up as part of a doubleheader today. I assume Carlos Rosa will face off with the Hooks' Josh Muecke in game 1 while game 2 will pit Wichita righty Greg Atencio (2-4, 4.04) vs. Hooks righty Felipe Paulino (3-5, 3.89). KC finally promoted OF Chris Lubanski to Omaha Wednesday. He wasn't necessarily tearing up AA, although he was hitting .295 with 9 HR and a team-leading 34 RBI, but it's time to see what he can do at the next level. KC has also signed RH Tim Bausher from the Nashua Pride in the Can-Am League. He was 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 36 IP at Nashua and is a former part of the Red Sox organization.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Lynchburg 14, Blue Rocks 5

C Clark 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI (7), RS -- .253
RF McFall 2-3, BB, 2B (16), RBI (25), K -- .247
CF Duarte 2-4, BB, 2B (10), K, 2 RS, SB (19) -- .285
SS McConnell 2-4, SB (1) -- .258
2B Maddox 1-4, 2B (11), RBI (24), K, RS -- .268
3B Lisson 0-4, SF, RBI (39), K -- .273
DH McCann 0-5, K -- .357

Cortes 5 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, 3 HRA -- L, 0-5, 4.44 ERA
Humen 1/3 IP, 4 ER, H, 2 BB -- 3.31 ERA
Santos 1 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 K, HRA -- 16.20 ERA, not good debut for AA demotee
Barnes 2 IP, ER, H, HRA -- 3.35 ERA

Lynchburg scored the last 9 runs of the game as all four Rocks hurlers got touched up in the loss. Starter Dan Cortes gave up a solo homer to Hillcats LF James Boone in the 1st but the Rocks took the lead as Marc Maddox hit an RBI double and Brian McFall hit an RBI single to make it 2-1 entering the 2nd. A sac fly tied the game for Lynchburg in the 2nd and Cortes gave up back-to-back homers to Boone (a 2-run shot) and RF Jamie Romak in the 3rd to make it 5-2 Hillcats. Mario Lisson hit a sac fly in the 3rd to trim the lead to 2 and Cody Clark hit a 2-run homer in the 4th for his 1st of the season to tie it at 5. Cortes coughed the lead back up with a run on 2 hits in the 5th and the Rocks stranded 2 runners that inning. The game fell apart for Wilmington in the 6th as David Humen walked a run in and left with the bases loaded and 1 out. Arthur Santos made his Wilmington debut and gave up a 3-run triple, an RBI double and a 2-run homer to Romak to make it 13-5 Lynchburg. RP Justin Barnes gave up a solo homer in the 9th to polish off the Hillcats victory. Boone was 4-5 for Lynchburg with 2 doubles (12), 2 HR (6), 5 RBI (33), his 7th SB and 3 RS to move to .290, Romak was 2-5 with 2 HR (5) and 3 RBI (13) to improve to .272 and SP Derek Hankins got the win with 5 IP of 5 ER on 8 hits, 2 walks and 2 Ks to improve to 7-2 with a 4.66 ERA.

Wilmington is 5-2 and now tied with Lynchburg for first. The series continues tonight with first place on the line. Probable starters: Wilmington ace southpaw Rowdy Hardy (9-1, 1.41) vs. Lynchburg righty Serguey Linares (1-3, 5.25).

A -- Burlington: Bees 9, Kane County 3

DH Everett 2-4, BB, 2B (14), 3 RBI (23), 2 K, SB (3) -- .291
LF Dickerson 2-4, BB, 3B (1), 2 RBI (27), 2 RS, OF assist at home -- .285
3B Thompson 1-5, 2 RBI (41), K -- .239
SS Bianchi 1-4, BB, RBI (16), K, RS -- .240
CF Robinson 1-4, BB, HBP, 2B (8), RBI (11), K, 3 RS, SB (17) -- .264
RF Peralta 1-3, BB, 2B (1), K, 2 RS -- .346

DiPietro 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 4 K, 3 HRA -- W, 4-4, 4.68 ERA
Hartsock 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- SV, 2, 2.68 ERA

The Bees broke open a tie game in the 7th then poured on the insurance runs in the 9th to earn at least a split of the series with the Cougars. Joe Dickerson hit a 1-out triple in the 1st and scored on a Jeff Bianchi single to make it 1-0 Bees. Starter Ryan DiPietro gave up a solo homer to tie it in the 2nd but the Bees scored 2 in the 3rd on a 2-out, bases-loaded 2-run single by Mike Thompson. Kane County tried to cut into the lead in the 4th but Dickerson killed the rally by throwing out a runner at the plate via relay man Bianchi to end the inning. DiPietro didn't hold the lead, tho, as he gave up 2 solo homers in the 6th to tie it. Derrick Robinson came through with a 2-out RBI double in the 7th and scored on a Dickerson single, although Dickerson was nailed trying to get to second on the play. RP Aaron Hartsock left the bases full in the 8th and Dickerson got a 9th-inning rally started with a bases-loaded walk before Brady Everett hit a 2-out 3-run double to make it 9-3 Bees. Cougars 1B Haas Pratt was 2-4 with 2 HR (8) and 2 RBI (21) to move to .216, DH Greg Dowling was 2-4 with his 7th homer and 44th RBI to move to .275 and RP Inoel Deaza took the loss with 2 IP of 4 ER on 4 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 0-6 with a 6.38 ERA.

Burlington is 5-2 and a 1/2-game up on first. The series comes to a close tonight. Probable starters: Bees RH Harold Mozingo (6-6, 4.44) vs. KC LH James Heuser (6-2, 2.90). P Jason Godin was returned to Burlington from Wilmington after struggling somewhat at the A-Advanced level.

Rookie -- Burlington: Johnson City 3, B-Royals 2

LF A. Perez 3-4, RBI (1) -- .235
DH Martin 0-3, BB, K -- .276
3B Jimenez 1-4, 3B (1), RS, E (4) -- .250
RF Lane 0-2, 2 BB, K, 2 SB (4), CS (2) -- .320
CF Tucker 0-4, 2 K -- .306
1B Amyx 0-3, BB, K -- .290

Bradley 3 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 1-1, 3.86 ERA
Augustine 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA, nice outing

Three early runs was all the Cardinals needed in taking down the Royals. Starter Anthony Bradley gave up a walk, hit a batter and then gave up a 3-run homer to 1B Charlie Pelt to start the game, then combined with Joe Augustine to allow only 3 more hits and 3 walks the entire game. The Royals left 2 in scoring position in the 3rd but got an RBI single from Alwin Perez in the 5th to get on the board. Antonio Jimenez led off the 6th with a triple and scored on a Johnson City error to cut the lead to 1. The Royals loaded the bases with 1 out that inning but couldn't capitalize. The Cardinals made 2 errors in the 9th but, again, the Royals failed to capitalize. Pelt was 1-4 with his 1st homer and 3 RBI (9) to drop to .406 and SP Jose Arredondo got the win with 5 IP of an UER on 3 hits and 5 Ks to move to 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA. RP Pete Parise picked up his 2nd save. The Cardinals survived 5 errors.

The B-Royals are 6-3 and tied for 1st. The series ends tonight. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 8, Casper 0

CF Ortiz 4-5, 2B (1), RBI (1), K, RS -- .556, 4-hit game in 2nd outing...I'll take that
DH Gonzalez 4-5, 2B (3), RBI (5), RS -- .342
1B Robinson 2-5, 2B (2), RBI (10), K, RS -- .356
RF Van Stratten 2-4, BB, 2B (1), 3B (2), RBI (5), 2 RS -- .238
LF Morel 2-4, RBI (1), RS, SB (2) -- .227
C Eigsti 1-5, 2B (1), RBI (2), K, RS -- .333
SS Seratelli 0-4, BB, K, E (7) -- .342
3B Van De Keere 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .333
*IF left 13 on base.

Peterson 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA, nice start, too bad didn't qualify for W
Baldwin 4 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 1.93 ERA
Jensen IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

Three Chukar pitchers combined on a 7-hit shutout of the Rockies as Idaho Falls continued its dominance of Casper with another sweep. Adrian Ortiz led off the IF 1st with a single and scored on an O.D. Gonzalez single as both players went 4-5 on the night. Alvi Morel and Ortiz had RBI singles in the 2nd and the Chukars scored 3 in the 3rd on a Nick Van Stratten RBI triple, Ryan Eigsti RBI double and Mike Bionde double play ball that scored Eigsti to make it 6-0. Clint Robinson hit an RBI double in the 4th and a Rockies error scored the final run in the 6th. The Rockies stranded 2 in 2 innings but never could put together a rally. Rockies 2B Derek Kinzler was 2-3 to move to .353, RF Bo Bowman was 2-4 to move to .273 and SP Parker Frazier took the loss with 2 2/3 IP of 6 ER on 10 hits, a walk and K to drop to 0-1 with a 19.06 ERA.

Idaho Falls is 8-1 and 3 games up on first. A 3-game set at the Orem Owlz (5-4, Rookie Angels) starts tonight. The Chukars went 2-1 versus Orem in a 3-game set last weekend. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- AZL: Mariners 3, Royals 2

3B F. Cruz 2-4, RBI (2) -- .214
RF Jacobo 2-4, 2 K -- .250
1B D. Cruz 2-4, K, RS -- .385
C S. Perez 1-3, 2B (1), RBI (2), K, RS, picked off runner -- .154, 2/4 SB against
CF Richardson 0-4, 3 K, CS -- .125
DH Wood 0-4 -- .471
2B Donovan 1-3, HBP -- .421

Hodge 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Feickert 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 K -- 40.50 ERA
Vasquez 2 IP, 3 K -- 2.25 ERA
Van Slyke IP, ER, H -- L, 0-1, 3.86 ERA

An 8th-inning run made the difference for the M's. Both teams stranded 2 in the 3rd and, as both starters were pulled to start the 4th, the Royals got an RBI double from Salvador Perez and a Fernando Cruz RBI single to make it 2-0 Royals. The Mariners bounced back with 2 off RP Casey Feickert in the 4th on a 2-out rally of 2 RBI singles. RP Eric Van Slyke came in for the Royals to start the 8th and gave up a single and sac fly to give the Mariners the edge and the Royals went down in order in the 9th. Mariners LF Dan Carroll was 2-3 with his 3rd SB and scored the winning run to move to .556 and RP Jacob Wild got the win with 1/3 IP to move to 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. RP Travis Mortimore got his 1st save.

The Royals are 1-4 and 3 games back. They were set to play the Rangers today.

Royals on the Farm 6/26

AAA -- Omaha: Oklahoma 6, O-Royals 4

C Phillips 2-3, BB, RBI (4) -- .198
DH Brazell 2-4 -- .333
1B Lewis 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (18) -- .244
2B Aviles 1-5, RBI (36), K, E (12) -- .308
CF Maier 1-4, BB, RS -- .282

Nunez 6 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K -- ND, 1.50 ERA, nice AAA '07 debut
Shiell 1 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H -- BS, 1, L, 0-3, 4.67 ERA
Giron 1/3 IP, H, WP -- 5.82 ERA

The game appeared firmly in hand entering the 8th but Omaha found a way to lose the finale with the RedHawks. The Royals left runners at the corners in the 1st but loaded the bases with 2 outs in the 2nd and got a 2-run single from Richie Lewis and an RBI single from Mike Aviles to take a 3-0 lead. Starter Leo Nunez allowed a run on 2 hits in the 3rd but a Paul Phillips RBI single in the 5th helped him hand a 4-1 lead to Jason Shiell in the 7th. Shiell started the 8th by loading the bases with 3 singles and, after a double play scored a run, gave up 3 more singles to tie the game and bring in Roberto Giron, who gave up an RBI single and run-scoring wild pitch to make it 6-4 RedHawks. Omaha went down 1-2-3 in the 9th to end it as A.J. Murray picked up his 4th save. Oklahoma RF Nelson Cruz was 2-4 with his 16th RBI to move to .371, C Chris Stewart was 2-3 to move to .405 and RP Steven Rowe got the win with an IP of a hit and K to move to 3-2 with a 7.11 ERA.

Omaha is 37-42 and 9 games out. The O-Royals start a 3-game home set with the New Orleans Zephyrs (43-35, AAA Mets) tonight. Probable starters: Zephyrs LH Dave Williams (no record) vs. Royals RH Matt Wright (4-3, 3.76). Omaha is 6-5 versus the Zephyrs. The Royals finished the 16-game road trip 5-11.

AA -- Wichita: TL South 5, TL North 4 (10)

LF Lubanski 1-4, BB
1B Stodolka 2-4, RBI, 2 K -- drove in tying run in 7th

Hochevar 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- got the start, gave up 2-run jack in 2nd

I guess the reports of a make-up game with Tulsa Tuesday on the team site were false, as I found no reports of such a game being played. Whatever. The Wranglers start a 3-game home set with the Corpus Christi Hooks (2-4, AA Astros) tonight. Probable starters: Hooks lefty Josh Muecke (1-3, 5.22) vs. Wranglers righty Carlos Rosa (3-5, 5.76). The Wranglers are 3-3 versus the Hooks thus far.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Winston-Salem 2

DH McCann 2-3, BB, HR (2), 2 RBI (3), RS -- .556
C Thibault 2-4, SB (6) -- .266
3B Lisson 2-4, HBP, K -- .277
2B Maddox 2-5, 3B (2), RBI (23), RS -- .268
CF Duarte 1-5, 2 K -- .281
LF Perez 1-3, S, RS -- .312
SS McConnell 0-4, K -- .222

B. Johnson 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- ND, 4.38 ERA
Green 2 IP, H, BB, K -- 6.20 ERA
D'Amico IP, H -- W, 4-0, 3.32 ERA
Haltiwanger IP, K -- SV, 2, 3.41 ERA, taken over for de la Vara as closer?

A big 9th-inning triple was the difference in the Rocks win. Starter Blake Johnson stranded 2 Warthogs in the 1st and Brad McCann led off the 2nd with his 2nd homer for Wilmington to make it 1-0 Rocks. McCann came up again in the 3rd with 2 out and 2 on and hit an RBI single to make it 2-0 but Mario Lisson got tagged out at third to kill the rally on the play. Johnson gave up a solo homer to start the Warthogs 3rd and walked in a run in the 5th to tie the game. RP Patrick Green stranded 2 runners in the 7th for Wilmington and the Rocks loaded the bases with no outs in the 8th only to see Warthogs RP John Wesley come in and get 2 pop outs and a K to wiggle out of the threat. The Rocks had a runner at third and 2 outs in the 9th when Marc Maddox stepped up and laced an RBI triple to right to give Wilmington a 3-2 lead. Russ Haltiwanger pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save. Warthogs SS Robert Valido was 2-5 with his 1st homer, SB and RBI to set a .400 BA, 2B Robert Hudson was 2-5 with his 4th double to move to .310 and Wesley took the loss with 2 IP of an ER on 2 hits and 3 Ks to drop to 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

Wilmington is 5-1 and a game up on first. The Blue Rocks start a 3-game home set with the second-place Lynchburg Hillcats (4-2, A-Adv. Bucs) tonight. Probable starters: Wilmington RH Dan Cortes (0-4, 3.71) vs. Hillcats LH Derek Hankins (6-2, 4.31). Wilmington is 5-1 versus Lynchburg thus far.

A -- Burlington: Bees 2, Kane County 1 (10)

C Howell 2-4, K, picked off runner -- .243
RF Walton 2-4, K -- .188
LF Dickerson 1-4, RBI (25), K, CS (7) -- .282
SS Bianchi 0-3, HBP, RS, SB (6), CS (1) -- .240
CF Robinson 0-5, K -- .264
DH Castillo 1-3, BB, 2B (1) -- .125

Santiago 7 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- ND, 2.49 ERA, nice start
Hayes 3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- BS, 4, W, 3-3, 4.10 ERA

RP Chris Hayes spoiled Mario Santiago's shutout start but the Bees won in 10. Santiago got in and out of a minor jam in the 3rd and a Joe Dickerson RBI single in the 4th gave Burlington a 1-0 lead. Santiago stranded 2 in the 5th and the Bees left 2 in scoring position in the 7th as the 1-0 lead held. Hayes came in for the 8th and got 2 outs before a double and RBI single tied the game. Luis Castillo hit a leadoff double in the 10th and a 1-out wild pitch scored pinch runner Felix Peralta to give the Bees a 2-1 lead. Hayes walked the leadoff guy in the 10th but C Jeff Howell picked him off and Hayes got a K and fly out for the win. Four Cougars had 1 hit each, including CF Mike Massaro, who was 1-4 with his 15th RBI to drop to .292. RP John Herrera took the loss with an IP of an ER on a hit and K to drop to 2-8 with a 5.14 ERA. Starter Andrew Bailey allowed an UER on 5 hits and a walk with 6 Ks over 6 1/3 IP to drop his ERA to 3.45.

Burlington is 4-2 and a 1/2 game in front in the MWL West. Game 3 of the set is tonight. Probable starters: Bees LH Ryan DiPietro (3-4, 4.70) vs. Kane County RH Henry Rodriguez (3-4, 2.95).

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 5, Bristol 4

LF Lane 3-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 3 RBI (5), RS -- .348, opportune time for first pro homer
SS Martin 2-4, 2B (4), 2 RS -- .308
1B Amyx 2-4, 2B (2) -- .321
CF Tucker 1-4, RS, E (1) -- .344
RF Severino 0-3, SF, RBI (3) -- .136

Bernat 4 IP, ER, 5 H, K -- ND, 2.57 ERA
Paukovits 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 8.44 ERA
Hastry 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, debut
Woods IP, H, BB -- SV, 3, 0.00 ERA

Some key contributions from some '07 draftees in the 9th got the B-Royals another victory. The Royals scored on 2 doubles in the 1st as Jake Lane doubled home Kyle Martin to make it 1-0 Burlington. A single and Wilson Tucker error to lead off the 3rd helped the Sox tie the game off David Bernat before Burlington took the lead with 2 in the 6th on a 2-run single by Lane. RP Bryan Paukovits didn't hold the lead, tho, as Bristol scored 3 in the 6th on 2 hits, a walk, a sac fly, a wild pitch and an error by 3B Antonio Jimenez to grab a 4-3 lead. That was the score entering the 9th when Lane hit a 1-out solo homer for his first pro longball to tie the game and, after Tucker singled and Brett Amyx doubled, Neder Severino hit a sac fly to score Tucker for the eventual winning run. RP Ryan Woods stranded 2 in scoring position in the 9th for his 3rd save. Bristol RF Jose Martinez was 4-5 to move to .394, DH Jordan Cheatham was 2-5 with his 1st double and 4th RBI to move to .333 and RP Nathan Jones took the loss with 1 1/3 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits and 3 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

The B-Royals are 6-2 and tied for first. A 2-game set at the Johnson City Cardinals (2-6) starts tonight. No announced starters on the team site. The Cards' roster includes prospect OF Jon Edwards (.233 BA, .770 OPS in 8 games), Albert's cousin OF Wil Pujols (no stats yet) and '07 draftees 10th round OF Beau Riportella (.364 BA, .826 OPS in 8 games) and 11 other later-round picks.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 2, Casper 1

3B Van De Keere 2-4, 2B (3), 2 RBI (7) -- .344, walkoff Monday, both RBI Tuesday, not bad for 48th rounder
DH Ortiz 1-4, K -- .250, pro debut
2B Seratelli 1-3, BB, K, 2 RS, 2 SB (4), 2 E (6) -- .382
1B Robinson 0-4, K -- .350
CF Van Stratten 1-3, BB, CS -- .211
2B Evangelho 0-2, HBP -- .353
*C Todd Balduf had a pickoff and the Rockies were 0-4 on SB

Secott 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB, WP, pickoff -- ND, 1.80 ERA
Swaggerty 3 IP, 4 H, BB, 5 K -- W, 1-0, 4.50 ERA
Chavez 2 1/3 IP, 3 H, BB, K -- 2.84 ERA
Roach 2/3 IP, K -- SV, 2, 0.00 ERA

The Chukars' pitching staff and defense got the job done as they stifled the Rockies in a 2-1 win. A Devery Van De Keere force out scored Anthony Seratelli in the 1st to give IF a 1-0 lead. Two walks, a wild pitch and a single off SP Dane Secott tied the game for Casper in the 3rd but the Chukars regained the lead that inning on a Van De Keere RBI double that once again scored Seratelli. RP Ben Swaggerty came on for the 4th and stranded runners at the corners and then stranded 2 in the 6th as a thwarted steal from Todd Balduf helped maintain the 2-1 lead. IF left the bases full in the 6th and RP Jason Roach came in with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 9th and got a K and fly out to end the rally and pick up his 2nd save. Casper 2B Zack Murry was 3-3 but was caught stealing twice in moving to .350 and SP Jose Campos took the loss with 6 IP of 2 ER on 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Three wild pitches didn't help his cause.

Idaho Falls is 7-1 and 2 games up on first. The series comes to a close tonight. Probable starters: Casper's Parker Frazier (0-0, 18.00) vs. IF's Zach Peterson (1-0, 0.00).

Rookie -- AZL: off day

The Royals got back into action today versus the Mariners and took a narrow loss.

Royals on the Farm 6/25

AAA -- Omaha: O-Royals 7, Oklahoma 1

1B Lewis 2-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI (16), K, RS -- .243
SS Berroa 2-3, HBP, 2B (8), RS -- .257
RF Padilla 2-4, HR (6), RBI (18), K, 2 RS -- .291, slowly creeping toward .300
2B Aviles 1-5, HR (6), 2 RBI (35), RS -- .310
3B Brewer 1-3, BB, RBI (4), RS -- .250
DH Brazell 1-4, BB, 2B (15), K, RS -- .330
CF Maier 0-3, 2 BB, K -- .283

Buckner 6 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K -- W, 7-2, 3.86 ERA, adjusting well thus far to AAA
Giron IP, H, K -- 5.86 ERA
Braun 2 IP, H, BB -- 1.93 ERA

The Royals made Eric Hurley's first AAA start one to forget as they jumped on the Texas prospect and rode Billy Buckner's arm to an easy win. Richie Lewis hit a 1-out triple in the 1st and scored on a Mike Aviles ground out and Omaha added 3 runs in the 2nd on a 2-out RBI single by Jace Brewer and a 2-run single by Lewis to make it 4-0 Royals. A Hurley error in the 5th led to another run and Buckner took a 1-hitter through 5 innings. Three hits in the 6th drove in a RedHawks run but Jorge Padilla homered to lead off the 8th for his 6th of the season at AAA and Aviles hit a 1-out solo homer in the 9th for his 6th of the season. Roberto Giron and Ryan Braun finished off Buckner's victory from the 7th on. Oklahoma RF Nelson Cruz was 2-4 with his 15th RBI and an outfield assist at first to move to .362, C Guillermo Quiroz was 2-2 with his 8th double to improve to .302 and Hurley took the loss with 5 IP of 5 runs (4 ER) on 6 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA.

Omaha is 37-41 and 8 1/2 games out. The long CWS road trip concludes tonight with the finale in Oklahoma. Probable starters: Omaha RH Leo Nunez ('07 Omaha debut) vs. RH Alfredo Simon (3-6, 6.53).

AA -- Wichita: All-star break day 1

The ASG is tonight in Corpus Christi. The 2-4 Wranglers also have a makeup game with the Tulsa Drillers (4-2, AA Rockies) tonight. No announced starters on the team site. Pitcher D.J. Mattox has joined the Wranglers' roster after KC purchased his contract from the Worcester Tornadoes in the Can-Am League. Mattox is a veteran of 2 Tommy John surgeries and is 27. He was 2-9 with a 4.83 ERA in 18 games for Worcester last season and this season was 2-2 with a 1.47 ERA. With Adam Donachie ready to come off the DL, C Jeff Howell was also returned to Burlington (A).

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Winston-Salem 2, Blue Rocks 0 (5/rain)

RF Perez 2-2, 2B (12) -- .311, only Rock with a hit
CF Duarte 0-2 -- .283
3B Lisson 0-2 -- .273
1B McCann 0-2, 2 K -- .500
SS McConnell 0-2, K -- .261

Godin 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, HRA, pickoff -- L, 0-3, 6.75 ERA

The Rocks' offense hadn't kicked into gear yet when the rain came to end the game after the 5th and the Warthogs dealt Wilmington its first loss of the second half. Starter Jason Godin allowed a run on 3 hits in the 1st and the Blue Rocks stranded runners at the corners in the 5th before the Warthogs added another run on a solo homer by 1B Micah Schnurstein to make it 2-0 before the rain took over. Schnurstein was 2-3 with his 17th homer and 2 RBI (45) to move to .300 and SP Brian Omogrosso got the win with 5 IP of 2 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to improve to 4-2 with a 3.94 ERA.

Wilmington is 4-1 and still a game up on first. The series ends tonight. Probable starters: Wilmington right-hander Blake Johnson (4-6, 4.43) vs. Warthogs southpaw Clayton Richard (5-4, 3.61). KC has promoted P Tyler Chambliss to Wilmington from Burlington, where he was pitching solidly.

A -- Burlington: Kane County 11, Bees 2

1B Turner 3-3 -- .196
RF Peralta 1-4, RBI (6), K, OF assist at third -- .348
3B Thompson 1-3, RBI (39) -- .244
DH Everett 2-4, RS -- .287
LF Dickerson 1-4, RS -- .282
CF Robinson 1-4 -- .271
SS Bianchi 0-4 -- .244

Teaford 4 2/3 IP, 8 ER, 11 H, 4 K, 2 HRA -- L, 3-7, 5.54 ERA
Wladyka 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 HRA, WP -- 10.32 ERA

Bees pitchers Everett Teaford and Jim Wladyka got shelled as the Cougs took the series opener. Mike Thompson hit an RBI single in the 2nd to give the Bees a 1-0 lead but Kane County tied it off Teaford with 3 hits in the bottom of the inning and took the lead with 3 in the 3rd on 2 doubles, a HBP and sac fly. Three homers off Teaford and Wladyka in the 5th helped the Cougars score 6 runs for a 10-1 lead and another homer off Wladyka in the 6th made it 11-1. The Bees scored in the 7th on a Felix Peralta RBI single but stranded 2 that inning and didn't threaten again. Three Cougars had a 3-hit game with 1B Greg Dowling going 3-4 with his 13th double, 6th homer and 2 RBI (43) to move to .276. DH Haas Pratt was 2-3 with 2 HR (6) and 4 RBI (19) to move to .214 and SP Scott Deal went the distance with 2 runs (1 ER) on 9 hits with 2 Ks to improve to 4-5 with a 4.13 ERA.

Burlington is 3-2 and a 1/2 game back. The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Bees RH Mario Santiago (1-5, 2.76) vs. Cougars RH Andrew Bailey (1-4, 4.03).

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 4, Bristol 3

RF Tucker 2-4, 2B (3), HR (3), 2 RBI (9), RS -- .357, nice night
C Doscher 2-4, RBI (3), 2 K, CS -- .278
CF Norris 0-1, 2 BB, RS, 2 SB (7), picked off once, OF assist at first -- .154
SS Martin 0-4, 2 K, E (1) -- .273
DH Lane 1-3, BB, 2B (1), K, RS, SB (2) -- .263
1B Amyx 1-4, 2B (1), 2 K, RS -- .292

Arias 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 8 H, 3 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 3.38 ERA
Diaz 1 2/3 IP, BB, 2 K -- 13.50 ERA
Woods 2 1/3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 2, 0.00 ERA, old fashioned save

The Royals held off the Sox for 4 innings to get the narrow win. Patrick Norris walked and stole 2 bases in the 1st and scored on a throwing error on his steal of third to give the Royals a 1-0 lead without the benefit of a hit. Bristol looked to tie the game in the 1st off SP Henry Arias but LF Neder Severino nailed a runner at the plate to end the inning. Nick Doscher hit an RBI single in the 2nd to make it 2-0 before Bristol cut the lead in half with a run on a hit and Kyle Martin error in the 2nd. Wilson Tucker hit an RBI double in the 3rd to make it 3-1 before a 4th-inning sac fly and 5th-inning RBI double tied the game at 3 for the Sox. Tucker led off the 6th with his 3rd homer of the season and Jose Diaz and Ryan Woods held the Sox hitless the rest of the way to nail down the victory. Sox 3B Logan Johnson was 2-4 with 2 doubles (4) and his 1st RBI to move to .571 and RP Hector Santiago took the loss with 2 1/3 IP of an ER on a hit and 5 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA.

Burlington is 5-2 and a game back of the Bluefield O's. The series with Bristol wraps tonight. No announced starters on the team site. So far, 7 games and nary an update on the B-Royals official site other than the bare minimum. Good times.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 7, Casper 6 (10)

3B Seratelli 3-4, BB, 2 HR (3), 4 RBI (8), K, 2 RS, E (3) -- .387
2B Bionde 2-3, BB, RBI (2), RS -- .278
PH Van De Keere 1-1, HR (1), RBI (5), RS -- .321, walkoff shot, good time for 1st pro homer
1B Robinson 1-4, HBP, RBI (9), K -- .389
CF Van Stratten 0-5, OF assist at home -- .200
DH Evangelho 1-4, RS -- .400

J. Hughes 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 6 K, WP -- ND, 4.15 ERA
Phillips 3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 3 WP -- 4.50 ERA
Holland 2 IP, UER, 3 H, 2 K -- BS, 2, W, 2-0, 0.00 ERA

Casper forced extras with a late implosion by the Chukar pen but Idaho Falls pulled the game out in the end to continue dominance of Casper this season. A Clint Robinson RBI force out in the 1st gave the Chukars an early lead but Casper scored 2 in the 2nd off SP Joe Hughes before Nick Van Stratten ended the inning by throwing out a runner at the plate. Anthony Seratelli hit a 2-out solo homer in the 3rd (his 2nd of the season) to tie the game and, after Mike Bionde singled home a run in the 4th, Seratelli came up and smoked a 3-run homer to right center for his 2nd of the game and 3rd of the season to make it 6-2 Chukars. Hughes handed that lead to the pen in the 6th. RP Justin Phillips stranded a runner at third that inning and allowed a sac fly in the 7th to cut it to 6-3. IF left 2 in scoring position in the 7th and Phillips allowed 2 runs in the 8th on 3 hits, a passed ball on C Joe Billick and wild pitch to cut it to 6-5. Greg Holland came on for the 9th and 2 hits and a fielding error by LF Rubi Koko allowed Casper to tie it. The Rockies went for the lead later in the inning as a Holland pitch got away from Billick but the catcher and Holland combined to get the runner trying to score from third to keep it tied at 6. IF left the bases full in the 9th and Devery Van De Keere pinch hit to lead off the 10th and ended the game with his 1st pro homer. Casper CF Scott Robinson was 3-5 with his 1st double and 2 RS to move to .357 and RP Randall Taylor took the loss with 1/3 IP of an ER on a hit and walk to drop to 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA.

Idaho Falls is 6-1 and 2 games up on first. The series goes to game 2 tonight. Probable starters: IF's Dane Secott (1-0, 0.00) vs. Casper's Jose Campos (0-1, 9.00). We're still awaiting the debut of CF Adrian Ortiz (5th rounder).

Rookie -- AZL: Padres 10, Royals 7

LF Pennell 3-5, 2B (1), RBI (2), RS, picked off -- .400
3B Donovan 2-4, BB, 2 2B (2), 3 RBI (4) -- .438
1B Wood 2-3, BB, HBP, 2B (3), RBI (6), K, 2 RS, E (2) -- .615
SS Cruz 0-3, SF, RBI (1), K, E (1) -- .100
C McCauley 0-1, HBP, E (1) -- .125

Lehmann 2 1/3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, E (1) -- L, 0-1, 3.86 ERA
Mitchell 2 2/3 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP, pickoff -- 3.38 ERA, so-so debuts for both guys
Biddle IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA
J. Sanchez IP, 4 ER, 2 H, 3 BB -- 36.00 ERA
Hodgson 2 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- 4.50 ERA

The Royals made 4 errors and the Pads pulled away late to get the win. C Sean McCauley made a throwing error in the 1st and the Pads scored 2 runs to grab the lead. Vinny Pennell got the Royals on the board with an RBI single in the 1st and a wild pitch and Fernando Cruz sac fly in the 2nd made it 3-2 Royals. Two errors and 4 hits helped the Padres score 3 in the 3rd to regain the lead but a Dennis Donovan RBI double in the bottom of the 3rd cut the lead to 5-4. RP Matt Mitchell stranded 2 in the 5th in his pro debut but the Royals left 2 in scoring position in the 6th. RP Juan Sanchez walked the bases loaded with 2 out in the 7th and gave up a bases-clearing double to SS Jeudy Valdez and RBI single to pad the Pads lead to 9-4. RP Ivor Hodgson gave up another run in the 8th but Donovan hit a 2-run double that inning to cut the lead back to 10-6. David Wood hit a 2-out RBI single in the 9th but Donovan flew out to end it. Valdez was 3-5 with his 3rd double and 3 RBI (7) to move to .500, 2B Keoni Ruth was 3-5 with his 1st SB to move to .636 and RP Jose Martinez got the win with 2 IP of perfect relief to improve to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

The Royals are 1-3 and 2 games back. They had today off. 2nd round pick righty Sam Runion has been added to the AZL roster, so must have signed at some point. Still haven't seen when he or 3rd round LH Dan Duffy signed, but both are in Arizona.

Royals on the Farm 6/24

AAA -- Omaha: O-Royals 8, Oklahoma 2 (7/G1)

1B Brazell 2-4, HR (20), 3 RBI (39), RS -- .328
DH Lewis 2-3, BB, 2 RBI (14), RS -- .238
LF McCarthy 1-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (6), RS -- .265
RF Padilla 2-4, HR (5), RBI (17), RS -- .292
2B Aviles 2-4, RS -- .317
CF Maier 0-3, BB, K, RS, SB (7) -- .283
*Angel Berroa did draw a walk, likely file that in the "too little, too late" column

Hendrickson 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 7-4, 5.33 ERA
Ray 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 4.34 ERA

Omaha hammered Mark Redman and took the opener of a Sunday twinbill. The Royals stranded 2 in both the 1st and 2nd but broke through in the 3rd on a 2-run homer by Bill McCarthy for his 2nd for Omaha this season. Richie Lewis hit a 2-run single in the 4th and Omaha had a 4-0 lead. Jorge Padilla hit a solo homer in the 5th for his 5th at AAA this season before Oklahoma scratched out a run in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-1. Craig Brazell struck again with a 3-run homer in the 6th for his 20th at Omaha to all but put it away. Omaha starter Ben Hendrickson left with 1 out and 1 on in the 6th and Ken Ray allowed an RBI double before stranding 1 in the 7th to end it at 8-2. RedHawks C Guillermo Quiroz was 2-3 with his 7th double to move to .292 and Redman took the loss with 5 2/3 IP of 8 ER on 12 hits, 3 walks and 2 Ks to drop to 1-3 with a 6.06 ERA. I think he's done.

Oklahoma 6, O-Royals 4 (7/G2)

CF Maier 2-4, 2B (15), 3B (4), 2 RBI (34), K, RS -- .286
DH Brazell 2-4, HR (21), RBI (40), RS -- .332, damn, HR in 6 of 8 games
SS Berroa 1-3, HBP, 2B (7), RBI (20) -- .250
2B Aviles 0-4, 2 K -- .312
C Tupman 0-2, BB, K, RS, E (3) -- .286, RedHawks were 4-4 in SB

Hoelscher 3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 K -- L, 2-1, 3.74 ERA
Markray 3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- 4.53 ERA

The Omaha offense didn't kick in until the 6th in the 7-inning game as the RedHawks earned a doubleheader split. The RedHawks scored 2 runs on 4 hits and Matt Tupman's 3rd error of the season to take the lead in the 2nd. Two hits brought another run home off Nate Hoelscher in the 3rd and Thad Markray gave up a solo homer to C Chris Stewart in the 4th to make it 4-0 Oklahoma. Omaha stranded 2 in the 4th off rehabbing starter Brandon McCarthy but, in the 6th, Mitch Maier tripled to lead off the inning and scored on an Angel Berroa ground out. Brazell hit his 21st homer at Omaha later in the inning off RP Randy Williams and the lead was cut to 4-2. The RedHawks scored 2 more runs on 3 hits off Markray in the 6th to pad the lead back to 4. The O-Royals loaded the bases with 1 out in the top of the 7th and Maier doubled 2 runs home but the Royals' rally stopped there. Stewart was 3-3 for Oklahoma with his 2nd double, 1st homer and 3 RBI (8) to move to .382, 3B Desi Relaford was 2-3 with 2 RBI (40) to move to .264 and Williams got the win with 1 2/3 IP of 2 ER on 2 hits and 2 Ks to move to 2-1 with a 7.47 ERA. McCarthy pitched well with 3 hits and 6 Ks over 4 1/3 IP and A.J. Murray picked up his 3rd save.

Omaha is 37-41 and 8 1/2 games back. The series continued today with an Omaha matinee win. Starters were Omaha RH Billy Buckner (6-2, 4.15) vs. Oklahoma RH Eric Hurley (AAA debut). It was another good start from Billy.

AA -- Wichita: Wranglers 2, Arkansas 1 (10)

1B Kaaihue 2-4, 2B (2) -- .321
LF Lubanski 1-5, 2B (14), 2 RBI (34), K -- .295
2B Valentin 1-4, HBP -- .297
DH Stodolka 1-4, K -- .274

Cromer 5 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- ND, 5.79 ERA
Plummer 4 IP, H, BB, 5 K -- W, 2-3, 3.05 ERA
de la Vara IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA, AA debut

The Wranglers went from being shut out on 4 hits entering the 8th to getting the win in 10. A walk and 2 hits off SP Jason Cromer gave the Travs a 1-0 lead in the 3rd and the Wranglers were stifled by Arkansas starter Fernando Rodriguez. In the 7th, Mike Stodolka singled and got to third base before being stranded, but the Wranglers got it tied in the 8th as Rodriguez left with 1 out and runners at second and third. A Chris Lubanski RBI ground out tied it at 1. With 2 out and none on in the 10th, Wichita rallied off RP Darren O'Day for a walk, single and Lubanski RBI double to take a 2-1 lead. RP Gilbert de la Vara made his AA debut a good one with his 1st save. Six Travs had a hit each, including 1B Bobby Wilson, who was 1-4 with his 27th RBI to move to .281. O'Day took the loss with an ER on 2 hits and a walk in an IP to drop to 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA.

Wichita is 2-4 and 2 games back. The Wranglers began the 2-day all-star break today. The all-star game is Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas. Lubanski, Stodolka and Luke Hochevar are representing Wichita in this year's game. Apparently, the Wranglers scheduled a make-up game with Tulsa Tuesday night, so I guess they'll make do without Stodolka and Lubanski.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Winston-Salem 3

SS Johnson 3-4, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI (15) -- .224
1B McCann 2-3, BB, RS -- .750, first start for Wilmington
3B Lisson 1-5, K, RS -- .276
CF Duarte 0-5, K -- .285
2B Maddox 0-5 -- .264
RF McFall 1-3, BB, RBI (24) -- .244

Pimentel 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 4-3, 2.80 ERA
Oliveros 2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K -- SV, 2, 2.89 ERA

RP Rayner Oliveros snuffed a 9th-inning rally and Wilmington moved to 4-0 on the second half. Wilmington stranded 2 in the 2nd but was held to 1 hit through 4 innings before breaking the ice in the 5th with a Josh Johnson RBI single off SP Derek Rodriguez. Johnson doubled home a run in his next AB in the 7th and the Rocks were up, 2-0. SP Julio Pimentel took a 1-hitter into the 7th but the Warthogs cut the lead in half with a run on a 2-out RBI triple by LF Daron Roberts. Pimentel left Roberts there and the Rocks scored 2 off RP John Lujan in the 8th on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Brian McFall. Pimentel was pulled for RP Rayner Oliveros with 2 on and none out in the 8th and Oliveros wriggled out of the jam. Winston-Salem got 2 2-out RBI singles in the 9th before Oliveros got a clutch K to end the game. Roberts was 2-4 for Winston-Salem with his 2nd triple and 33rd RBI to move to .296, RF David Cook was 2-4 with 2 RS to move to .291 and Rodriguez took the loss with 7 IP of 2 ER on 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 7-2 with a 4.01 ERA.

Wilmington is 4-0 and a game up on first. The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Wilmington RHP Jason Godin (0-2, 7.64) vs. W-S RHP Brian Omogrosso (3-2, 4.43). RP Arthur Santos was demoted to Wilmington as de la Vara got called up.

A -- Burlington: Bees 6, Cedar Rapids 0 (4-hitter)

SS Bianchi 2-3, SF, 2B (13), 2 RBI (15) -- .250
3B Thompson 2-4, 2B (14), K, RS, E (11) -- .243
RF Peralta 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI (5), K, RS -- .368
CF Dickerson 1-4, RBI (24) -- .283
1B Castillo 0-3, SF, RBI (1), K -- .000
2B Mertins 1-3, HBP, 2B (10), K, 2 RS -- .273
DH Everett 0-3, HBP, K -- .282

Cegarra 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 4.11 ERA
Cribb 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- SV, 2, 6.15 ERA

Ed Cegarra and Josh Cribb kept the Kernels off the scoreboard as Burlington kept up its good play. Kurt Mertins led off the Bees 1st with a double and scored on a Jeff Bianchi sac fly to get Burlington off to a good start. As Cegarra held the Kernels to 2 hits through 5 innings, the Bees surged farther head with 4 runs in the 5th on a 2-run homer by Felix Peralta (his 2nd), a Joe Dickerson RBI single and a Bianchi RBI single to make it 5-0. Luis Castillo picked up his first RBI of the season with a 6th inning sac fly before Josh Cribb left the bases loaded in the 7th and stranded 2 in the 9th for his 2nd save. Kernels 1B Mark Trumbo was 3-4 to move to .277 and SP Tim Schoeninger went 4 1/3 IP of 5 ER on 6 hits and 4 Ks to drop to 9-3 with a 3.06 ERA.

Burlington is 3-1 and tied for first. The Bees start a 4-game set at the Kane County Cougars (1-3, A Athletics) tonight. Probable starters: Bees LH Everett Teaford (3-6, 4.91) vs. Cougs RH Scott Deal (3-5, 4.52). The Bees are 6-2 versus Kane County.

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 8, Kingsport 7

1B Lane 2-4, BB, 2 RBI (2), RS, picked off -- .250
DH Amyx 2-4, BB, RBI (6), K -- .300
RF Tucker 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (2), RBI (7), 2 RS -- .333
LF Severino 0-3, BB, RBI (2), K -- .188
CF Norris 0-4, BB, K, SB (5) -- .160
SS Martin 1-4, BB, 2B (3), 2 K, 2 RS -- .333
3B Jimenez 1-3, 2 BB, K, 3 RS -- .300
C Hill 0-4, PB (1) -- .125

Paulino 3 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- ND, 5.19 ERA
Rollins 1 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K -- 3.38 ERA
Lopez 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K, 2 HRA, WP -- BS, 1, 12.46 ERA
Gjeldum 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 4.50 ERA

The B-Royals blew a lead in the 7th but got a 9th-inning run to take the win. Burlington scored 3 in the 1st on a Wilson Tucker RBI ground out, a balk that scored Antonio Jimenez and a fielding error that scored Jake Lane. The Royals left the bases loaded, however, and the Mets scored 2 in the 2nd on 2 hits, a walk and wild pitch by SP Eduardo Paulino. Three walks loaded the bases for Burlington with 1 out in the 2nd and Lane hit a 2-run single to make it 5-2. Kingsport chased Paulino with 2 runs on a hit, walk and wild pitch in the 4th but Jimmy Rollins got out of the inning with the lead. The B-Royals again padded the lead to 3 with 2 runs in the 4th on a wild pitch that scored Jimenez and a Neder Severino RBI ground out. Rollins stranded the bases loaded in the 5th but Yensi Lopez unleashed a wild pitch that scored a run in the 6th and then gave up back-to-back homers in the 7th to tie the game. With 1 out in the Royals 9th, Tucker doubled, Lane reached on an error as Tucker moved to third and Brett Amyx hit a walkoff single to end it. Mets C Cesar Cordido was 1-4 with 3 RBI (3) to set a .250 BA, LF Darren Clark was 2-5 with his 2nd homer and 4th RBI to move to .375 and RP Jason Lavorgna took the loss with 2 1/3 IP of an UER on 2 hits and 4 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA.

Burlington is 4-2 and a game back. The Royals start a 2-game set at the Bristol Sox (as in White, 1-5) tonight. No announced starters on the team site. Only a couple of the White Sox draftees are on the Bristol roster, with the highest being 5th round RH Nathan Jones.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Orem 9, Chukars 5

1B Robinson 3-4, RBI (8) -- .406
SS Seratelli 1-3, BB, HR (1), RBI (4), 2 RS -- .333
3B Van De Keere 1-4, 2B (2), RBI (4), K, RS -- .296
C Balduf 1-4, RBI (3), K -- .250
DH Evangelho 1-3, BB, RBI (2), K -- .455
CF Van Stratten 0-4, K, RS, SB (1) -- .233
2B Bionde 0-3, S, K, E (3) -- .200

Norton 4 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA
Leonard 4 IP, 9 R (8 ER), 8 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA, E (1) -- L, 0-1, 11.25 ERA
Jensen IP, H -- 0.00 ERA

A 5-run Orem 8th cost the Chukars their undefeated record. Devery Van De Keere hit an RBI double and Clint Robinson singled him home to make it 2-0 Chukars in the 1st. Todd Balduf and Zach Evangelho rapped RBI singles in the 4th to make it 4-0 IF and SP Ben Norton handed a 3-hit shutout to John Leonard for the 5th. The shutout and lead both evaporated as Leonard allowed 4 runs in the 5th on 3 hits and 2 walks. Anthony Seratelli hit a solo homer for his 1st homer of the season in the 6th as the Chukars regained the lead. Leonard took the lead into the 8th but made a throwing error to allow the tying run to score, gave up a 2-run single and then a 2-run homer to C Greg Dini to give the Owlz a 9-5 lead. The Chukars went down in order in the 9th to end it. Orem 1B Grodon Gronkowski was 3-5 with his 2nd double to move to .391, DH Chris Garcia was 1-5 with his 2nd double and 3 RBI (4) to move to .300 and RP Kelly Shearer got the win with 4 2/3 IP of an ER on 4 hits, 3 walks and a K to improve to 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

Idaho Falls is 5-1 and a game up on first. The Chukars start a 3-game home set with the Casper Rockies (0-6) tonight. The Chukars are 3-0 versus Casper. Probable starters tonight: Rockies' Juan Nicasio (0-0, 6.00) vs. IF's Joe Hughes (0-0, 4.91).

Rookie -- AZL: A's 9, Royals 5

2B Angel 2-4, 2 2B (2), RBI (2), K, RS -- .375
DH D. Cruz 2-4, HR (1), 2 RBI (2), 2 RS -- .400
3B Donovan 2-4 -- .417
SS Jose 2-4, 2 K, RS -- .308
1B Wood 1-4, 2B (2), RBI (5), K, E (1) -- .600
C Perez 0-2, SF, RBI (1) -- .125
CF Richardson 1-4, K, RS -- .167

Kniginyzky 3 IP, 2 UER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K, balk -- 0.00 ERA
Hodge 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Feickert 0 IP, 7 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, HRA -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, infinite ERA, bad debut
Mieles 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA

The A's went off in the 6th as the Royals dropped the game. The A's took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd on a hit, walk, hit batsman, balk and wild pitch by SP Matt Kniginyzky in his first start of the season. The Royals took the lead in the 6th with 3 runs on a Ryan Angel RBI double, David Wood RBI double and Salvador Perez sac fly to make it 3-2. Eighth-round pick RH Casey Feickert made his pro debut in the 6th and had a more than forgettable line as he went leadoff homer, walk, error (by him), RBI single, single, RBI double, walk, RBI single, and was pulled with the bases loaded. Edwin Mieles gave up a 3-run triple before getting out of the inning but the Royals were down, 9-3. Diego Cruz hit a 2-run homer in the 7th for his 1st of the season to cut the lead to 4 but the Royals wouldn't threaten again. A's C Juan Nunez was 1-4 with his 1st triple and 3 RBI (3) to move to .143, 1B Carlos Morales was 2-3 with his 1st homer and RBI to move to .300 and RP Jonathan Joseph pitched 2 innings of 5 runs (3 ER) on 7 hits and a K to get the win and move to 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA.

The Royals dropped to 1-2. They lost to the Padres today.

Royals on the Farm 6/23

AAA -- Omaha: Oklahoma 9, O-Royals 5

DH Brazell 2-4, HR (19), 2 RBI (36), RS -- .324, rampage continues
SS Aviles 2-4, 2B (15), 2 RBI (33), 2 K, RS -- .314
2B Lewis 2-4, K, 2 RS -- .229
CF Maier 2-5, 2B (14), 2 RS -- .286
LF McCarthy 1-3, HBP, RBI (4), K -- .267
C Tupman 0-4, PB (7) -- .289, slumping

Lumsden 6 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K, HRA -- ND, 5.57 ERA
DeHoyos 2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA, having trouble at AAA

Omaha got the game tied in the 5th but the offense stopped there as Oklahoma scored 4 late runs to capture the series opener. Bill McCarthy singled home a run in the 1st but the O-Royals left the bases full and SP Tyler Lumsden gave up a 2-run homer to DH Jason Botts to give the RedHawks a 2-1 lead after the 1st. The Royals squandered a run in the 2nd when Jace Brewer was tagged at the plate trying to score from second on a single and Mike Aviles followed with a 2-run double to make it 3-2 Omaha. Lumsden gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 2nd to give the lead back to Oklahoma and a run on 3 hits in the 3rd made it 5-3 RedHawks. Aviles led off the 5th with a single and Craig Brazell continued his great season with his 19th homer for a 2-run shot that tied the game. Gabe DeHoyos took over for Lumsden in the 7th and after an intentional walk with 2 outs put runners at first and second, gave up a 3-run homer to 1B Nate Gold to make it 8-5 Oklahoma. The RedHawks scored another run with 2 hits in the 8th and the Royals didn't have another base runner after the 5th. Oklahoma LF Kevin Mahar was 3-4 with 2 doubles (11) and his 15th RBI to move to .313, Gold was 2-4 with his 10th homer and 3 RBI (51) to move to .298 and Botts was 1-3 with his 7th homer and 2 RBI (52) to move to .303. SP John Rheinecker got the win with 7 IP of 5 ER on 10 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to improve to 1-2 with a 4.75 ERA.

Omaha is 35-40 and 8 1/2 games out. The teams have a double dip today to make up an earlier weather-postponed contest. Probable starters: Game 1: Omaha RH Ben Hendrickson (6-4, 5.48) vs. former Royals LH Mark Redman (1-2, 4.80) and Game 2: Omaha LH Nate Hoelscher (2-0, 3.40) vs. RH Brandon McCarthy (rehab). P Leo Nunez was promoted to Omaha after not being traded for OF Milton Bradley.

AA -- Wichita: Arkansas 10, Wranglers 2

1B Stodolka 2-4, 2B (14), HR (9), RBI (29), RS, E (6) -- .274
2B Valentin 2-4, RBI (22) -- .298
C Howell 2-4, 2B (1), K -- .600
SS Falu 2-4, RS -- .247
LF Lubanski 0-3, BB, K -- .297
DH Kaaihue 0-4, K -- .292

Christensen 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 5 K, WP -- L, 1-8, 5.77 ERA, when's he gonna start deserving his 40-man spot?
Santos 2 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- 6.42 ERA, been gas can last couple outings especially

The Wranglers were down after the 1st and tied it momentarily before Arkansas ran away for a second straight 10-run game and easy win. The Travs scored a run on 2 hits in the 1st off SP Dan Christensen but Christensen stranded the bases full in the 2nd and Wichita tied the game in the 3rd on a Geraldo Valentin RBI single. A walk and 3 singles to start the Arkansas 3rd helped the Travs notch 2 runs that frame and they scored 2 more in the 4th on a rally off Christensen to make it 5-1. RP Arthur Santos gave up 2 runs in the 7th and Wichita got a solo homer from Mike Stodolka in the 8th for his 9th of the season before Arkansas piled on more runs to take the 10-2 win. Travs DH Greg Porter was 3-4 with his 13th SB, 15th double and 4 RBI (45) to move to .295, SS Sean Rodriguez was 2-3 with his 10th homer and 34th RBI to move to .259 and RP Chris Hunter got the win with 3 IP of 4 hits and a K to improve to 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA.

Wichita is 1-4 and 3 games out. The series wraps up tonight. Probable starters: Wichita righty Luke Hochevar (3-6, 4.63) vs. Travs righty Fernando Rodriguez (4-1, 4.37).

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 1, Frederick 0

3B Lisson 1-3, SB (12) -- .277
2B Maddox 1-3 -- .272
RF McFall 1-2, BB, CS -- .243
SS McConnell 1-3, K, picked off -- .286
CF Duarte 0-3, 2 K -- .291
DH Perez 0-3, RS -- .302

Hardy 8 IP, 6 H, 2 K, E (2) -- W, 9-1, 1.41 ERA, can't argue with the results
Haltiwanger IP, K -- SV, 1, 3.51 ERA

The Keys had 6 hits to the Rocks' 4 but Rowdy Hardy again kept his opponents off the scoreboard and Wilmington stayed undefeated in the second half. Hardy allowed a leadoff triple in the 3rd but Rocks 1B Miguel Vega got the runner at home trying to score on an infield grounder and the bullet was dodged as Hardy left runners at the corners in the inning. The Rocks left Brett Bigler at third in the bottom of the inning but got on the board in a funny way in the 4th, as, with 1 on and 1 out, Wilver Perez grounded into a would-be force out that resulted in a Keys error but Brian McFall was thrown out trying to score and Perez got to third on the play. Perez scored on a passed ball and the Rocks had a 1-0 lead. Hardy stranded 2 in the 5th but didn't have any more trouble. Russ Haltiwanger came in with 1 on and 0 out in the 9th and picked up his 1st save of the season. Six Keys had 1 hit each and SP Jason Berken went the distance for the loss with 8 IP of an UER on 4 hits and 3 walks with 4 Ks to drop to 4-6 with a 4.11 ERA.

Wilmington is 3-0 and a game up on first. The Rocks start a 3-game set at the Winston-Salem Warthogs (, A-Adv. ChiSox) tonight. Probable starters: Rocks righty Julio Pimentel (3-3, 2.96) vs. Warthogs righty Derek Rodriguez (7-1, 4.14).

A -- Burlington: Cedar Rapids 8, Bees 0 (7/G1)

3B Thompson 2-3 -- .238, also pitched an inning
SS Bianchi 1-3, 2B (12), K -- .242
CF Robinson 1-3, SB (16), E (4) -- .272
2B Mertins 1-3 -- .272
LF Dickerson 0-3, K -- .283
DH Castillo 0-2 -- .000, season debut

Mozingo 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, balk -- L, 6-6, 4.44 ERA
Barrera 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 5.65 ERA
Thompson IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

Cedar Rapids got its first win of the second half with the shutout victory. The Bees left a runner at third in the 1st and the Kernels got the first run of the game in the 3rd on 2 doubles and a walk off starter Harold Mozingo. The Kernels chased Mozingo in the 4th with 4 runs on a balk, 4 hits, a walk and a hit batsman. RP Henry Barrera got out of the inning but the Kernels added 3 in the 5th on 2 hits, a walk, a sac fly and a throwing error by Derrick Robinson to make it 8-0. After third baseman Mike Thompson pitched a perfect inning, the Bees stranded 2 in scoring position in the 7th to end it. Kernels SS Wilberto Ortiz was 3-4 with his 6th error, 10th double and 3 RBI (14) to move to .266, 2B Ryan Mount was 2-4 with his 4th double and 18th RBI to move to .277 and RP Barret Browning got the win with 2 IP of a hit and 2 Ks to move to 4-2 with a 3.62 ERA.

Bees 3, Cedar Rapids 2 (9/G2)

C Morizio 2-4, 2 RBI (17) -- .246
RF Peralta 1-4, RBI (3), 2 K -- .375
CF Robinson 1-4, 2 K -- .271
SS Mertins 1-4, 2B (9), RS -- .272
DH Bianchi 1-4, K, RS -- .243
LF Dickerson 1-3, BB -- .273

Chambliss 5 2/3 IP, UER, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K, WP -- 2.12 ERA
Hartsock 3 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 K -- W, 4-2, 2.86 ERA

A clutch run late in the set 7-inning game forced extras and the Bees came through again when they had to to get the win. Starter Tyler Chambliss allowed a run on a walk, hit and error by 2B Jesus Soto in the 1st and Cedar Rapids starter David Herndon took it from there as he took a no-hitter through 5 2/3 IP. Chambliss kept pace by sitting down 15 Kernels in a row into the 6th but left with runners at the corners and 2 out in that inning. RP Aaron Hartsock got a ground out to escape the jam and the Bees broke up the no-no with 2 2-out singles in the 6th before stranding both runners. With 2 outs and 2 on in the 7th, Matt Morizio singled to left to score a run but Joe Dickerson pulled a Berroa and got thrown out at third to end the rally. Cedar Rapids got a 1-out RBI double in the 9th to once again put the Bees down to their final outs but Kurt Mertins led off the bottom of the 9th with a double, Jeff Bianchi bunt singled and Joe Dickerson drew a 1-out walk to load the bases. Felix Peralta singled home Mertins to tie the game and chase P Robert Cassevah for Blake Holler, but Holler gave up a walkoff single to Morizio to end the game. Kernels DH Mark Trumbo was 2-3 with his 16th double and 37th RBI to move to .269 and Cassevah took the loss with 1 1/3 IP of 2 ER on 3 hits, a walk and 2 Ks to drop to 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA. Herndon went 7 IP and allowed an ER on 5 hits with 4 Ks to drop his ERA to 3.43.

Burlington is 2-1 and tied for first. The series ends this afternoon. Starters: Bees diminutive RH Ed Cegarra (0-0, 6.75) vs. Kernels RH Tim Schoeninger (9-2, 2.67). I guess Morizio had to catch both ends of the doubleheader as C Brady Everett was sent home with an allergic reaction. No word on his status for today.

Rookie -- Burlington: Kingsport 7, B-Royals 3

3B Santos 2-5, 2 K -- .333
C Doscher 1-4, RBI (2), K, PB (2) -- .214
RF Tucker 0-5, K, OF assist at home -- .333
1B Amyx 1-4, RS -- .250
CF Norris 1-5, RS, SB (4) -- .190
SS Molina 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .235
DH Hill 1-4, K -- .250, pro debut

Caldera 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 6.75 ERA, shaky pro debut
Gausman 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Diaz 2 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 K -- 19.64 ERA

A 2-1 game was blown wide open in the 9th by the Mets. SP Alex Caldera got the first 2 outs quickly in the 1st but then the Mets rallied for 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and an error by 2B Alwin Perez. Caldera left the bases loaded in the inning. Patrick Norris was left at third twice in the early going but the B-Royals cut into the lead in the 4th on a 2-out Nick Doscher RBI single. Burlington stranded 2 in the frame and Kingsport attempted to get some insurance in the 6th only to see Burlington RF Wilson Tucker throw out a runner at the plate to keep the score 2-1. The Royals stranded 2 more runners in the 8th before Jose Diaz came on for his second inning of work in the 9th and went double, single, 2-run double, RBI triple, K, RBI triple, ground out, RBI single and fly out. A 2-run error by Mets SS Brandon Richey in the 9th made it closer but the Royals didn't rally. Mets 2B Greg Veloz was 3-4 with his 1st double and 2 RBI (2) to move to .176, four other Mets had 2-hit games and RP Brad Burns got the win with 3 IP of an ER on 4 hits and 2 Ks to improve to 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. RP Matias Carrillo picked up his 1st save. The Mets survived 7 errors, including 4 by Richey, in the game.

Burlington is 3-2 and a game back in the Appy League East. The series concludes tonight. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 5, Orem 4 (17)

DH Robinson 4-8, RBI (7), K -- .357
RF Gonzalez 3-6, BB, HBP, RBI (4), K -- .292
SS Juan 2-6, 2 HBP, 2B (4), RBI (2), 2 K, 2 RS -- .222
2B Bionde 2-6, 2 BB, 2B (1), RBI (1), SB (2), E (2), 2 K, 2 RS -- .250
3B Seratelli 0-8, 5 K, E (2) -- .333, yikes
LF Koko 1-7, HBP, 5 K, RS, E (1), CS -- .077
1B Van De Keere 1-5, BB, K -- .304
CF Van Stratten 0-8, 2 K -- .269
*IF left 18 on base compared to 13 for Orem.

Snipes 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, K, E (1) -- 7.36 ERA
Denton 3 1/3 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K, WP, balk -- 4.15 ERA
Jensen IP, nothing -- 0.00 ERA
Roach 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA
Cassa 3 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 1.69 ERA
Evangelho 3 IP, 2 H, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, position player got the W

A 17-inning marathon finally ended with a walkoff double as the Chukars stayed undefeated. Idaho Falls survived 2 errors in the 1st to escape without SP Clegg Snipes allowing a run and the Chukars notched a run in their half of the inning on a 2-out RBI single by Clint Robinson. The Owlz tied the game on 2 hits off Snipes in the 2nd but the Chukars moved back ahead in the bottom of the inning on a 2-out RBI double by Manni Juan to make it 2-1. Orem tied it off Snipes with 2 hits in the 3rd but the Chukars moved back ahead in the 5th when a wild pitch scored Matt Bionde to make it 3-2. The inning ended with Devery Van De Keere getting thrown out at the plate on a Robinson single. A wild pitch by Chris Denton in the 7th allowed the tying run to score and a scoreless drought for both teams began with the Chukars leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th. In the top of the 12th, Pat Cassa came in and allowed 2 walks and an RBI single to make it 4-3 Orem. O.D. Gonzalez kept the game alive with an RBI single in the Chukars 12th but the winning run was left at third. Orem left a runner at third while Idaho Falls left the bases loaded in the 14th and 3B Zach Evangelho moved to pitcher for the 15th. While he pitched 2 perfect innings, the Chukars stranded 2 in the 15th and 1 in the 16th. Orem got 2 hits off Evangelho but no runs in the 17th and, with 1 out in the bottom of the inning, Rubi Koko was hit by a pitch and Bionde doubled to score Koko and end it. Owlz 3B Jay Brossman was 4-8 with 2 RBI (3) to move to .360, three other Owlz had multi-hit games and RP Dylan Lindsey took the loss with 1 2/3 IP of an ER on 2 hits and a K to drop to 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA.

Idaho Falls is 5-0 and 2 games up on first. The series ends this afternoon. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- AZL: Royals 5, Cubs 3

1B Wood 2-2, 2 BB, 2B (1), 2 RBI (4), RS -- .833
LF Pennell 2-4, RBI (1), RS, SB (2) -- .429
2B Angel 1-4, RBI (1) -- .250, season debut
3B Cruz 1-4, K -- .143, first pro hit for Fernando
CF Richardson 1-3, HBP, 2 RS -- .125, ditto
C McCauley 0-2, 2 K -- .000, picked off runner
RF Jacobo 1-4, 3B (1), 2 K, RS, OF assist at home -- .250, season debut

Farinas 3 IP, H, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA, nice start
Santerre 2 IP, 2 H, K, pickoff -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Vasquez 2 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K -- 4.50 ERA
Belanger 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K -- 9.00 ERA

Some 7th inning breathing room helped the Royals to their first win of the season. The Royals got a 2-out RBI double from David Wood in the 1st to take the early lead and pitchers Williams Farinas and Josh Santerre held the Cubs in check through 5 IP. Ryan Angel hit an RBI single in the 6th to make it 2-0 Royals and RP Alberto Vasquez finally allowed a run on 4 hits in the 7th with RF Astin Jacobo saving the lead by throwing a runner out at the plate. Jacobo led off the bottom of the 7th with a triple and scored on a Vinny Pennell single before a wild pitch allowed Pennell to score and Wood added an RBI single to make it 5-1. RP Ryan Belanger gave up 2 runs in the 8th on a 2-run single but held the line there to end it at 5-3. Cubs 3B Jovan Rosa was 2-4 with his 1st RBI to move to .571, 2B Patrick Brooks was 1-4 with his first 2 RBIs to move to .125 and SP Brad Clipp took the loss with 3 IP of an ER on 4 hits, a walk and 3 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 3.00 ERA.

The Royals are 1-1 and a game out. They were set to play the 0-2 A's today.

Royals on the Farm 6/22

AAA -- Omaha: O-Royals 4, New Orleans 0 (4-hitter)

2B Aviles 2-4, HR (5), 2 RBI (31), 2 RS -- .311
1B Brazell 2-4, K -- .320
LF McCarthy 1-3, HBP, RBI (3), 2 K, SB (1) -- .259
SS Berroa 1-3, SF, 2B (6), RBI (19) -- .246
CF Maier 1-5, K, RS, SB (6) -- .284
C Tupman 1-4 -- .296

Wright 7 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 4-3, 3.76 ERA, great start
Hoelscher 1/3 IP, H, BB -- 3.38 ERA
Braun 1 2/3 IP, BB, 4 K -- SV, 5, 2.16 ERA

Omaha got starter Matt Wright a lead early and Wright took care of the rest as Omaha shut down the Zephyrs. Mike Aviles hit a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 5th of the season and Omaha had a 2-0 lead. Angel Berroa hit a sac fly in the 2nd to make it 3-0 and Bill McCarthy singled home a run in the 3rd to make it 4-0 O-Royals. Wright's biggest threat came when he stranded 2 in the 4th. Nate Hoelscher came in for the 8th and was pulled with 2 on and 1 out for Ryan Braun, who got 2 swinging Ks to escape the threat. Braun stranded 1 in the 9th for his 5th save. Omaha is 35-39 and 8 games back. Four different Zephyrs had a hit each and SP Mike Pelfrey took the loss with 5 1/3 IP of 4 ER on 8 hits, a walk and 5 Ks to drop to 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA.

A 4-day, 5-game set at the Oklahoma RedHawks (34-38, AAA Rangers) starts tonight. Probable game 1 starters: Omaha LH Tyler Lumsden (5-5, 5.40) vs. RedHawks LH John Rheinecker (0-2, 4.24). Omaha is 5-2 versus Oklahoma this season.

AA -- Wichita: Arkansas 10, Wranglers 1

1B Stodolka 2-2, 2 BB, 2B (13), RBI (28) -- .270
LF Lubanski 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .300
DH Kaaihue 0-4, K -- .350

Connolly 4 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 4 BB, K, 2 WP -- L, 3-4, 5.48 ERA
Cedeno 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, BB, 4 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 4.70 ERA, at least he's not walking people as much

The anemic Wranglers' offense managed only 5 hits and the Travs hammered Mike Connolly for the win. Mike Stodolka hit a 2-out RBI single in the 1st and Wichita grabbed a 1-0 lead. Connolly exhibited some control problems off the bat as he walked 3 in the 1st and an RBI single tied the game at 1. Three hits and 2 Connolly wild pitches in the 2nd made it 3-1 and the Travs pushed across another run in the 4th to take a 4-1 lead. Connolly left with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 5th and Juan Cedeno came in and got a strikeout before giving up a grand slam to 2B Adam Morrissey and a solo shot to 3B Freddy Sandoval. Two more hits scored another run and Arkansas was up, 10-1. Travs SP Miguel Gonzalez allowed only 2 hits after the 1st and 3 relievers allowed only 2 more hits to finish the Wranglers off. Wichita is 1-3 and 2 games out. Morrissey was 2-4 with his 6th homer and 4 RBI (27) to move to .286, Sandoval was 2-3 with his 6th homer and 3 RBI (35) to move to .295 and Gonzalez got the win with 6 IP of an ER on 3 hits, 4 walks and 3 Ks to improve to 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA.

The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Wichita lefty Danny Christensen (1-7, 5.57) vs. Arkansas righty Nick Adenhart (6-2, 3.44).

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 5, Frederick 1 (2-hitter)

1B Vega 3-4, 2 2B (12), RBI (26) -- .217
RF McFall 2-4, 2 2B (15), 2 RBI (23), RS, E (6) -- .240
2B Maddox 1-3, S, RBI (22), 2 K -- .271
CF Duarte 1-3, S, K, RS -- .294
3B Lisson 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS -- .277
LF Perez 1-4, 3B (2), RS -- .308
SS McConnell 1-4, K, RS -- .278

Cortes 4 IP, ER, H, 5 BB, K -- 3.71 ERA, had a little trouble finding strike zone
Barnes 2 1/3 IP, H, 2 K -- W, 1-2, 3.28 ERA
de la Vara 2 2/3 IP, nothing -- SV, 7, 0.82 ERA

Wilmington's pitchers were again in lockdown mode as the Rocks allowed only 2 hits and pounded out 4 doubles in the win. SP Dan Cortes gave up a walk and RBI double in the 1st but stranded the bases loaded in the 3rd. Wilver Perez led off the 5th with a triple and scored on a Miguel Vega double to tie it at 1. Marc Maddox singled home a run in the 6th and the Rocks took command in the 8th with 3 runs on a 2-run Brian McFall double and a wild pitch that scored McFall to make it 5-1. The Blue Rocks left the bases loaded, though, but it was no big deal as Justin Barnes and Gilbert de la Vara got the last 11 outs in a row to secure the win. Wilmington is 2-0 and a game up on first. Keys RF Arturo Rivas was 1-3 with his 11th double and 16th RBI along with an OF assist to move to .322 and SP Carlos Perez took the loss with 7 1/3 IP of 4 ER on 7 hits, 2 walks and 5 Ks to drop to 5-6 with a 4.74 ERA.

The series wraps tonight as Wilmington goes for the sweep. Probable starters: Rocks ace southpaw Rowdy Hardy (8-1, 1.55) and Frederick right-hander Jason Berken (4-5, 4.62).

A -- Burlington: Bees 6, Cedar Rapids 0 (finish of Thursday's game, 4-hitter)

LF Dickerson 3-3, SF, 2 RBI (23) -- .286
2B Mertins 2-5, HR (4), 2 RBI (29), 2 K, 2 RS, CS -- .272
DH Turner 1-3, BB, HR (6), RBI (17), K, RS -- .189
CF Robinson 1-5, 2B (7), RS -- .271
SS Bianchi 1-3, S, HBP, K, RS -- .241
1B Everett 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .287
*The Bees left 10 on base.

Santiago 4 IP, 2 K -- 2.76 ERA
Hayes 3 IP, 3 H, 3 K -- W, 2-3, 4.19 ERA
Wladyka 1 1/3 IP, H, 2 BB, K -- 11.25 ERA

The game that was suspended by rain in the bottom of the 4th ended up with another Bees' shutout before being rained out for good in the 9th. Joe Dickerson hit an RBI single in the 1st and Jase Turner smoked his 6th homer of the season to center in the 2nd as Burlington grabbed a 2-0 lead. A Dickerson sac fly in the 3rd was followed with a 2-out Kernels error that scored Brady Everett to make it 4-0. SP Mario Santiago got through the 4th and still hadn't allowed a hit but, with 1 on and 1 out in the bottom of the 4th, the rain suspended play and it resumed Friday evening. P Chris Hayes cleared any no-no suspense by giving up a double in the 5th but got out of the small jam before Kurt Mertins hit a 2-run homer in the 6th for his 4th of the season to make it 6-0 Bees. Hayes stranded 2 in the 7th and the Bees left the bases loaded that frame. RP Jim Wladyka came in for the 8th and stranded 2 and the Kernels had 1 on with 1 out in the 9th when the rain returned to wash out the game for a 6-0 Bees win. Burlington moved to 1-0. Four Kernels split the team's 4 hits. SP Sean O'Sullivan took the loss with 3 1/3 IP of 4 runs (2 ER) on 5 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to drop to 4-5 with a 2.94 ERA.

Game 2 of the night, which was Friday's regular game, was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader tonight. The Bees will send RH Harold Mozingo (6-5, 4.04) and RH Tyler Chambliss (3-0, 2.41) to start the twinbill while the Kernels will send out RH Jeremy Haynes (2-3, 3.86) in game one and RH David Herndon (7-4, 3.63) in game two.

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 3, Greeneville 0 (3-hitter)

RF Tucker 3-4, 2B (1), RBI (6) -- .438, on an early tear
C Graterol 1-3, SF, 2B (1), RBI (1) -- .333, season debut
2B Santos 1-4, HR (1), RBI (1), RS -- .250, season debut
DH Amyx 0-1, 3 BB, RS -- .250
CF Norris 0-4, BB, K, RS, SB (3) -- .188
3B Jimenez 0-4, BB, 2 K -- .313
1B Lane 0-2, BB, HBP, picked off -- .167
*The Royals left 12 on base.

Augustine 4 IP, 2 H, 3 K -- ND, 0.00 ERA
Bradley 4 IP, H, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, nice pro debut, same for Augustine
Rollins IP, 2 K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA, another lockdown debut

Three Burlington pitchers combined on a 3-hit shutout as the Royals swept the 2-gamer. A Juan Graterol sac fly in the 2nd gave the Royals a 1-0 lead and Wilson Tucker singled home a run in the 2nd to make it 2-0. Jose Santos hit his 1st homer of the season in the 4th to make it 3-0 and SP Joe Augustine left with a 2-hit shutout after 4 IP. RP Anthony Bradley retired 12 of 13 to hold the Astros in check through 8 and Jimmy Rollins pitched a perfect 9th for his 1st save in his first pro appearance. Burlington is 3-1 and tied for first. Three 'Stros split the 3 hits and SP Antonio Noguera took the loss with 4 IP of 3 runs (1 ER) on 4 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

The B-Royals move on to 2 with the Kingsport Mets (2-2) starting tonight. The Kingsport roster features '07 Mets draftees 2nd round RHP Brant Rustich (no stats yet), 10th round SS Brandon Richey (one game thus far, 1-2) and six other late-round picks.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 4, Orem 1

CF Van Stratten 2-3, BB, RS, OF assist at second -- .389
DH Evangelho 2-3, SF, RBI (1) -- .500
1B Robinson 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI (6), RS, E (2) -- .300
RF Gonzalez 1-3, BB, HR (2), RBI (3), 2 K, 2 RS -- .222
2B Seratelli 1-4, K -- .500
3B Van De Keere 1-4, 3 K -- .333

Baldwin 4 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- ND, 3.38 ERA
Peterson 2 1/3 IP, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Holland 2 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

A go-ahead homer in the 6th kept the Chukars undefeated. O.D. Gonzalez got it started for Idaho Falls with a solo homer in the 2nd for his 2nd of the season but Orem tied it in the 4th with a solo homer from LF Donato Giovanatto off SP Burke Baldwin. The Chukars left a runner at third in the 5th but Clint Robinson came through in the 6th with a 1-out, 2-run homer for his first pro longball to make it 3-1. A Zach Evangelho sac fly later in the inning made it 4-1. RPs Zach Peterson and Greg Holland finished off the game for their first pro win and save, respectively. Idaho Falls is 4-0 with a 2-game division lead. Five Owlz had 1 hit, including Giovanatto, who was 1-2 with his 1st homer and 2nd RBI to move to .667. RP Tremayne Holland took the loss with an IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 2 hits, 2 walks and a K to drop to 0-1 with an 18.00 ERA after SP Young-Il Jung allowed an ER on 5 hits, a walk and 5 Ks over 5 IP to make his ERA 1.80.

The series continues tonight. No announced starters on the team site. Fifth-round draftee CF Adrian Ortiz has joined IF after signing recently.

Rookie -- AZL: Rangers 9, Royals 6

1B Wood 3-4, 2 RBI, RS -- .750
2B Donovan 2-4, RBI -- .500
LF Arias 1-1, 2B, RBI -- 1.000
SS Jose 1-5, RBI, K, RS, SB, 2 E -- .200
DH McCauley 1-4 -- .250
3B Cruz 0-3, K -- .000
CF Richardson 0-5, K -- .000, tough debut

Jorge IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, WP -- 45.00 ERA
Rada 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K -- L, 0-1, 7.36 ERA
Hodgson 2 IP, ER, H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- 4.50 ERA
Van Slyke 1 1/3 IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA

The Rangers cranked out 5 runs off SP Victor Jorge in the 1st and got some big runs in the middle innings to open the season with a Royals loss. The Rangers scored 5 runs on 5 hits, a walk and sac fly to take the lead in the 1st, The Royals scored in the 2nd on a Dennis Donovan RBI single and Jorge was pulled with 2 on and none out in the 2nd. David Wood singled home a run in the 3rd and tied it with 3 in the 5th on a Lifete Jose RBI single, another Wood RBI base hit and a wild pitch that scored a run. The Rangers surged back ahead with 3 in the 5th on 4 hits to knock RP Orlando Rada out of the game. RP Ivor Hodgson gave up a solo homer in the 6th to make it 9-5 and the Royals got an RBI double from Renny Arias in the 9th but that was all they could muster. The Royals dropped to 0-1. Rangers 1B Michael Ortiz was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI and RP Eleno Soto got the win with 2 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 3 hits to move to 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA.

The Royals defeated the Cubs today to even their record.

Royals on the Farm 6/21

AAA -- Omaha: New Orleans 9, O-Royals 5

RF Padilla 4-4, 3B (1), 2 RS, 2 SB (7) -- .293
1B Brazell 2-4, HR (18), RBI (34), K, RS -- .316
CF Maier 2-5, RBI (32), K -- .285
3B Wathan 1-4, RBI (3), K -- .235
SS Berroa 0-3, SF, RBI (18), 2 K -- .244
2B Aviles 0-4, K, E (11) -- .308
C Tupman 0-0, 2 BB, 2 S, RS -- .297

Shiell 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, BB, K -- 4.05 ERA
Giron 2 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- L, 0-4, 6.00 ERA
Ray 2/3 IP, ER, H, K, HRA -- 4.54 ERA

An 8th inning collapse earned New Orleans the win to even the series at 1 game each. Jorge Padilla scored the first run of the game in the 2nd on a steal of third and a throwing error by Zephyrs C Mike DiFelice. New Orleans loaded the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 2nd and a sac fly tied the game. Craig Brazell put Omaha back ahead with his 18th homer of the season at AAA to lead off the 4th (and set a new career high with 25 in a season), Angel Berroa hit a sac fly and Derek Wathan singled home a run to make it 4-1 O-Royals. The Zephyrs matched that in the bottom of the 4th on 4 hits and a Mike Aviles error to re-tie it at 4. Padilla tripled with 2 out in the 8th and tried to score on the play but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. RP Roberto Giron gave up 2 runs in the 8th on 2 hits and 2 walks before getting pulled with 2 on and 1 out. Ken Ray came in and gave up a 3-run homer to the first batter he faced -- DH Jake Gautreau -- and the Zephyrs took a 9-4 lead. Mitch Maier singled home a run with 2 out in the 9th but a rally didn't spark. Omaha is 34-39 and 9 games out. Former O-Royal and current Zephyr LF Chip Ambres was 3-4 with 2 RS to move to .290, DiFelice was 2-3 with his 3rd error, 5th double and 3 RBI (27) to move to .282 and RP Tim McNab got the win with 3 IP of an ER on 3 hits, a walk and K to improve to 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA.

The series concludes tonight. Probable starters: Omaha RH Matt Wright (3-3, 4.19) vs. NO RH Mike Pelfrey (2-1, 2.87). RSTN has announced it will televise the O-Royals games on July 12 (versus Iowa) and August 2 (versus the Las Vegas 51's).

AA -- Wichita: Wranglers 9, Arkansas 2

1B Kaaihue 3-4, 2B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI (3), K, 2 RS -- .438, triple short of cycle
LF Lubanski 2-5, 2B (13), RBI (32), RS -- .304
CF Greenberg 2-5, 2B (16), HR (4), 3 RBI (24), K, 2 RS -- .250
DH Stodolka 2-4, 2 RS -- .263
RF Joseph 1-4, 2 RBI (17), RS -- .226
2B Valentin 0-4 -- .293
C Howell 1-1 -- 1.000, AA debut

Atencio 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- W, 2-4, 4.04 ERA
Hughes 3 IP, H, 2 BB, K -- SV, 1, 3.73 ERA

Two big homers helped Wichita break an 8-game slide. A Travs error helped Kila Kaaihue score the first run of the game in the 2nd and Adam Greenberg smoked a 2-out, 3-run homer to right for his 4th of the season to make it 4-0 Wranglers. SP Greg Atencio stranded a few runners over the first 4 innings and Wichita put some more distance behind them with 4 runs in the 5th on a Chris Lubanski RBI single and a 2-out, 3-run homer by Kaaihue for his 1st at AA. Atencio allowed a 2-run homer by DH Matt Pali in the 6th but handed an 8-2 lead to Dusty Hughes in the 7th. Onil Joseph drove in an insurance run in the 8th and Hughes stranded 1 in each of the 7th, 8th and 9th innings to pick up his 1st save of the season. Wichita is 1-2 and a game back. Travs C Bobby Wilson was 2-4 to move to .279, LF Aaron Peel was 2-4 to move to .271 and SP Nick Green took the loss with 5 IP of 8 runs (5 ER) on 9 hits and 2 Ks to drop to 5-6 with a 4.40 ERA.

Game 2 is tonight. Probable starters: Wichita lefty Mike Connolly (3-3, 4.84) vs. Arkansas righty Miguel Gonzalez (3-2, 3.62). C Adam Donachie was put on the DL, which was what led to Jeff Howell's promotion.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Frederick 1 (1-hitter!)

3B Maddox 4-4, BB, RBI (21), 2 RS, SB (5) -- .270
SS McConnell 3-4, 3B (1), HR (1), 3 RBI (3), K, 2 RS -- .286, double short of cycle
DH Jirschele 2-3, 2 RS -- .667, Wilmington debut
2B Johnson 1-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI (13) -- .210
LF Perez 1-3, BB, 2B (11), RBI (22), K, SB (10) -- .310
PH McCann 1-1, HR (1), RBI (1), RS -- 1.000, first organizational at-bat after trade with Marlins, Brian's older bro

B. Johnson 6 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K -- W, 4-6, 4.43 ERA
Oliveros, Humen and Green 3 IP (Humen UER and a walk)

The organization got its second day in a row with a 1-hitter as Blake Johnson and 3 relievers combined to shut down the Keys. Wilver Perez doubled home Marc Maddox in the 1st and Chris McConnell blasted his 1st Advanced A homer in the 2nd for a 2-run shot to make it 3-0 Blue Rocks. Johnson gave up the only Frederick hit of the game in the 4th and a McConnell RBI triple and Maddox RBI single in the bottom of the 4th made it 5-0. Josh Johnson added a 2-run triple in the 6th and Wilmington had a 7-0 lead. An error by Miguel Vega helped the Keys score a run in the 8th off RP David Humen but newest organizational pickup 1B Brad McCann hit a pinch-hit solo homer in his first Rocks AB to make it 8-1 in the bottom of the frame. Wilmington is 1-0. RF Arturo Rivas had the Keys' only hit in going 1-3 with his 15th RBI to move to .321 and Frederick SP David Hernandez took the loss with 5 2/3 IP of 7 ER on 8 hits, 2 walks and 5 Ks to drop to 4-5 with a 4.88 ERA.

Game 2 of the set is tonight. Probable starters: Rocks righty Dan Cortes (0-4, 3.86) and Keys southpaw Carlos Perez (5-5, 4.71). McCann was acquired in a trade with the Royals sending Florida the proverbial "player to be named later" in return. He was hitting .246 with 6 HR and 21 RBI with Jupiter in the Florida State League and had played briefly at AA at one point this season. He had 42 Ks and 2 walks at Jupiter, so he's got some Berroa in him. Interestingly, the story on the Wilmington newspaper website has a picture of the crowd after Josh Johnson accidentally threw his bat and it misses a 2-year-old's head by about 6 inches, it looks like. It's a good picture. You've also got to read the comments on the story.

http://tinyurl.com/2gm2am

A -- Burlington: Bees 4, Cedar Rapids 0 (suspended in 4th)

Mario Santiago had a no-hitter going through 4 before the rain washed the game out and it will be picked up where the teams left off tonight before the regular game, which will be made a 7-inning contest. Joe Dickerson hit an RBI single, Jase Turner hit a solo homer for his 6th of the season, Dickerson added a sac fly and a Kernels error allowed the Bees to score their 4th run. Chris Hayes will be pitching when play resumes tonight.

The series continues with the game-and-a-half. Pitchers in the regular Friday game are set to be Bees RH Harold Mozingo (6-5, 4.04) and CR RH Jeremy Haynes (2-3, 3.86).

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 6, Greeneville 5

RF Tucker 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (5), RS -- .333
3B Jimenez 2-4, 2B (2), HR (1), 2 RBI (3), K, RS, E (2) -- .417
LF Severino 2-4, 2B (1), RBI (1), K, RS -- .400
2B Molina 0-4, RBI (1), 2 K -- .250
CF Norris 1-4, BB, RS -- .250
SS Martin 1-5, 2B (2) -- .357
1B Amyx 0-2, BB, HBP, K, RS -- .273
DH Lane 1-3, BB, 3B (1), RS -- .200

Paukovits 3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K -- ND, 6.00 ERA
Bernat 3 IP, ER, H, BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 3.00 ERA
Gjeldum 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 9.00 ERA
Woods IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

Three 2-run innings combined to boost the Royals to the win. Antonio Jimenez hit a 2-run homer in the 1st to give the Royals a 2-0 lead with his 1st blast of the season. Starter Bryan Paukovits allowed a run on 2 hits in the 2nd and the tying run on 2 hits in the 3rd. RP David Bernat came on for the 4th and allowed the go-ahead run on a double and walk to make it 3-2 Astros. Jake Lane led off the 4th with his 1st career triple and scored on a Neder Severino double before Severino scored on a Yeldrys Molina ground out to make it 4-3 Royals. Wilson Tucker hit a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 5th for his 2nd in as many days as Burlington took a 6-3 lead. The Royals left the bases loaded in the inning, however, and the lead almost fell apart in the 7th as RP Ted Gjeldum allowed a 2-run single but stranded 2 in scoring position after a Jimenez error. Gjeldum allowed a leadoff single in the 8th but got out of the inning and Ryan Woods pitched a perfect 9th for his 1st save. Burlington is 2-1 and a game back. Astros LF Axel Gonzalez was 2-5 with his 1st double and 2 RBI (3) to move to .556, 3B Ebert Rosario was 2-5 with his 2nd double and 7th RBI to move to .417 and starter Fernando Abad took the loss with 4 2/3 IP of 6 ER on 5 hits, 3 walks and 4 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 11.57 ERA.

The 2-gamer wraps up tonight. Righty Joe Augustine is expected to start for the Royals. According to the Burlington (NC) Times News, OF David Lough has a slight hamstring injury and is expected to be out about a week.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 8, Casper 2

SS Seratelli 2-4, BB, 2B (1), 3B (1), 2 RBI (3), 2 RS, SB (2) -- .583, off to great start, NDFA signed out of tryout camp
DH Van De Keere 1-4, BB, 2B (1), 2 RBI (3), 2 RS -- .357
3B Juan 2-5, 2B (2), K, 2 RS -- .188
1B Robinson 2-5, 2B (1), RBI (4), K, RS, E (1) -- .313
CF Van Stratten 2-5, 3B (1), RBI (4), K -- .333
2B Evangelho 1-3, BB, 3B (1), K, RS, E (1) -- .333, season debut

Chavez 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, WP -- ND, 4.50 ERA
Secott 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, win in pro debut
Swaggerty 3 IP, H, 6 K -- SV, 1, 9.00 ERA, nice bounce back from opening day outing

The Chukars jumped ahead and didn't look back in sweeping the Rockies. Manni Juan led off the game with a single, scored on an Anthony Seratelli double and then Seratelli scored on a Devery Van De Keere double. Van De Keere scored on a Rockies error and IF had a 3-0 lead. Starter Chris Chavez gave up a run on 2 hits in the 1st but IF got it back in the 2nd on a Zach Evangelho triple and passed ball that scored the second baseman to make it 4-1. Casper pushed across another run in the 3rd off Chavez but the Chukars all but put it away with 4 in the 4th on a Seratelli RBI triple, a Casper error that scored Seratelli, a Clint Robinson RBI single and Nick Van Stratten RBI triple that made it 8-1. The bullpen took it from there in holding the Rockies in check to secure the victory. Idaho Falls is 3-0 and has a 1-game lead. Casper RF Scott Robinson was 2-4 with his 2nd SB and 2 RS to move to .333 and starter Jose Campos took the loss with 4 IP of 8 runs (4 ER) on 10 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA.

Idaho Falls opens Melaleuca Field with the first of a 3-game set tonight vs. the Orem Owlz (2-1, Rookie Halos). Orem's roster features Angels prospects RHP Young-Il Jung (no stats yet), RHP Vladimir Veras (1-0, 0.00 in 6 IP), and '07 draftees OF Trevor Pippin (.222 in 2 games, 4th rounder), RHP Ryan Brasier (no stats yet, 6th rounder) and 10th rounder RHP Milan Dinga (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 1 2/3 IP). Ten other later-round '07 draftees are on the roster as well.

Rookie -- AZL: The Royals were set to start the season today versus the Rangers. At least a partial roster is up on the team site and it includes 3rd round LHP Danny Duffy (who I hadn't seen had signed yet), 4th round RHP Mitch Hodge, 7th round OF Hilton Richardson, 8th round RHP Casey Feickert, 12th round C Sean McCauley, 14th round RHP Matt Mitchell, 17th round LHP Ivor Hodgson, 20th round RHP Mike Lehmann and 26th round RHP Nat Lovell.