Royals on the Farm 8/17

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

SS Berroa 2-4, BB, 2B (16), 2 RBI (37), 2 RS -- .304
DH Shealy 3-4, RBI (17) -- .253
2B Cortez 3-4, 2B (14), RBI (20), K, 2 RS, SB (10) -- .301
RF Huber 2-3, BB, RBI (56), 2 RS -- .283
3B Aviles 2-5, RBI (74), K, RS, E (21) -- .307, rough time defensively lately
1B Brazell 1-4, BB, RBI (70), K, RS -- .316
C Phillips 0-2, S, SF, RBI (11) -- .233
CF Costa 1-5, 2B (19), RS -- .330
LF Lubanski 0-4, K -- .227

Lumsden 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 6 H, 5 BB, K -- W, 8-5, 6.37 ERA, another ho-hum outing
Markray 4 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K -- SV, 2, 4.69 ERA

The Royals gave Tyler Lumsden all the support he needed and more to win 3 of 4 from the Cubs. An Iowa error helped the Royals to a run in the 1st on a Craig Brazell force out. Lumsden stranded 2 in the 2nd and Omaha scored 4 in the 3rd as Mike Aviles, Justin Huber and Ryan Shealy hit RBI singles and Paul Phillips hit a sac fly as Omaha took a 5-0 lead. Iowa chipped into the lead with 2 runs in the 4th on 2 hits, a walk, an Aviles error and a sac fly. Omaha got the runs back in their half of the inning on an Angel Berroa RBI double and Brazell RBI single. Iowa closed the gap with 3 runs in the 5th on 3 hits and a walk off Lumsden. Thad Markray took over in the 6th and got the job done as the Royals added runs in the 6th and 7th on a Berroa RBI single and Fernando Cortez RBI double. Markray's only trouble came in the 9th when he put 2 on with 2 out but a pop out ended the game. Iowa 3B Matt Craig was 1-3 with his 5th double and 2 RBI (15) to move to .351 and SP J.R. Mathes took the loss with 4 IP of 7 runs (5 ER) on 9 hits, 2 walks and a K to drop to 10-7 with a 5.19 ERA.

Omaha is 65-62 but still 11 1/2 games back with 17 games left in the season. A 4-game home set versus the Albuquerque Isotopes (63-62, AAA Marlins) starts tonight. Omaha is 5-7 versus the Isotopes. Probable game 1 starters: Former Royals gas can LH Chris George (4-10, 5.78) vs. Omaha RH Matt Wright (9-3, 3.69). P Greg Atencio was brought up from Wichita, I assume to shore up the bullpen and maybe make a spot start when needed. The Royals also claimed lefty SP Paul Mildren, 23, off waivers from Florida. He was set to come to town with Albuquerque anyway, so he'll just come to the Omaha clubhouse instead. He was 5-7 with a 5.86 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 21 starts with Albuquerque.

AA -- Wichita: Wranglers 9, Midland 5

C Espino 2-4, BB, 2B (11), 3 RBI (18) -- .259
3B Nettles 1-4, BB, HR (7), 2 RBI (29), K, 2 RS, E (9) -- .266
1B Stodolka 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (53), K, SB (4) -- .293
DH Kaaihue 0-3, 2 BB, RBI (25), RS -- .231
2B Valentin 1-3, BB, S, K, 2 RS, SB (4) -- .296
LF Padilla 1-4, BB, 2 K, 2 RS, 2 SB (10) -- .338
*Wichita stranded 11.

D. Hughes 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 5 K, balk, E (3) -- 3.64 ERA
de la Vara IP, 2 UER, H, 2 BB -- BS, 2, 4.43 ERA
Cromer 1 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- BS, 2, 5.70 ERA
Plummer 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, pickoff -- W, 5-6, 3.10 ERA

Wichita blew leads twice but broke away for good in the 8th. Midland scored a run in both the 1st and 2nd off SP Dusty Hughes but Wichita tied it in the 3rd with 2 runs on RBI singles by Geraldo Valentin and Mike Stodolka. The Wranglers stranded 2 but took the lead with 2 runs in the 5th on a 2-run homer by Jeff Nettles for his 7th as a Wrangler. Gilbert de la Vara took the mound in the 6th and loaded the bases with 1 out before walking in a run and giving up another run to tie the game. Adam Greenberg and Stodolka pulled off a double steal of second and third in the bottom of the 6th and a throwing error on the play scored Greenberg to make it 5-4 Wichita. Jason Cromer came out for the 7th and, like de la Vara, loaded the bases with 1 out before a sac fly tied the game. Wichita had 1 on with 2 out in the 8th when Midland brought in RP Andy Shipman and he walked the bases full before walking Kila Kaaihue to bring in a run. Damaso Espino cleared the bases with a double and Wichita had a 9-5 lead. RP Jarod Plummer gave up a 1-out triple in the 9th but got out unscathed for his 5th win. Midland 3B Jeff Baisley was 3-5 with his 21st double, 3rd triple and his 14th error to move to .276 and RP Brad Kilby took the loss with 2/3 IP of an ER on a walk and 2 Ks to drop to 2-3 with a 3.29 ERA.

Wichita is 21-31 and 6 games back with 17 games left. A 3-game home set versus the Frisco RoughRiders (31-21, AA Rangers) starts tonight. The Wranglers are 2-7 versus Frisco. Lefty Mike Connolly (4-5, 5.30) is set to start the opener for Wichita.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Lynchburg 0 (5-hitter)

DH McCann 1-3, HR (5), RBI (22), K, RS -- .231
2B Maddox 1-3, BB, RBI (39), K -- .254
CF Duarte 1-4, 2 K, RS -- .293
3B Lisson 1-3, BB, 3B (3) -- .276
RF McFall 0-4, 3 K -- .275

B. Johnson 7 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, pickoff -- W, 7-6, 3.46 ERA, another very nice start
Oliveros IP, H, K -- 3.32 ERA
Green IP, K -- SV, 4, 4.08 ERA

Four Lynchburg errors led to 2 unearned runs as the Rocks took the opener with the Hillcats. Brad McCann homered to lead off the Wilmington 2nd for his 5th homer as a Blue Rock. Starter Blake Johnson tiptoed around trouble a couple times over his 7 innings pitched and the Rocks bolstered the lead with 2 runs in the 8th as Lynchburg made 3 errors in the inning and Marc Maddox hit an RBI single. Patrick Green pitched a perfect 9th for his 4th save. Hillcats SP Kyle Bloom took the loss with 7 IP of an ER on 2 hits, a walk and 10 Ks to actually out-do Johnson but drop to 9-10 with a 4.93 ERA.

Wilmington is 33-20 and 5 games up on first. The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Wilmington right-hander Dan Cortes (5-8, 3.64) vs. Lynchburg righty Jose Diaz (3-1, 4.30). The Rocks announced their 15th anniversary team Friday and the lineup includes Mike Sweeney, Mitch Maier, Carlos Beltran, Johnny Damon and Zack Greinke, among others.

A -- Burlington: Beloit 6, Bees 1

3B Soto 1-4, RBI (11) -- .239
C Howell 2-4, 2B (13), RS -- .236
SS Bianchi 2-4, K -- .240
LF Dickerson 2-4, K, picked off -- .294
CF Robinson 0-4, 3 K -- .249
1B Castillo 1-3, BB, K -- .275
RF Walton 0-4, 2 K -- .270

Cegarra 3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 6 H, K, 2 HRA, E (2) -- L, 1-5, 5.03 ERA
Teaford 4 IP, 3 H, 2 K -- 4.93 ERA
Hayes IP, H, K -- 3.47 ERA

Ed Cegarra got battered by the Snappers as they swept the 2-game set. Beloit scored 4 in the 2nd on a 2-run error by Cegarra and a 2-run homer. Cegarra served up another 2-run homer in the 3rd to make it 6-0. The Bees stranded 2 in the 4th and got their only run in the 5th on an RBI single by Jesus Soto. The Bees stranded 2 in the 8th but went down in order in the 9th to end it. Beloit DH Eli Tintor was 3-4 with his 12th double to move to .311 and SP Tyler Robertson got the win with 5 IP of an ER on 5 hits and 8 Ks to move to 8-3 with a 2.27 ERA.

Burlington is 26-26 and 8 games back. A 2-game home set versus the Swing of the Quad Cities (34-18, A Cardinals) starts tonight. The Bees are 2-9 versus the Swing. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Great Falls 4, Chukars 1

DH Robinson 3-4, 2B (14), HR (12), RBI (46), RS -- .328
LF Morel 2-3, 3B (1) -- .246
CF Ortiz 0-4, K -- .309
1B Seratelli 0-3, BB, K -- .328

Snipes 4 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- L, 2-4, 4.20 ERA
Denton 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K, HRA, picked off two -- 4.08 ERA
Swaggerty 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 4.15 ERA

Great Falls scored 4 unanswered runs to hand the Chukars another defeat. Clint Robinson clubbed his 12th homer of the season in the 2nd to give IF a 1-0 lead but 2 hits and 2 walks off Clegg Snipes in the 3rd tied the game. Alvi Morel was thrown out at home to end the 3rd and Great Falls scored another run in the 4th on 2 hits and a wild pitch. Chris Denton gave up a 2-run homer in the 5th to make it 4-1. The Chukars stranded 2 in the 5th and the 9th as Great Falls RP Wander Perez got his 1st save. Sox SS Greg Paiml was 3-4 with his 10th double and 19th RBI to move to .259 and SP Juan Moreno got the win with 6 IP of an ER on 6 hits and 7 Ks to improve to 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA.

IF is 11-7 and 2 games up on first. The series goes to game 3 tonight. Probable starters: Sox SP Anthony Carter (3-3, 4.68) vs. Chukars SP John Leonard (3-2, 4.91).

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 5, Princeton 4 (17)

SS Martin 2-8, HR (7), RBI (26), K, RS -- .245
3B Jimenez 3-8, RBI (24), 2 K, RS -- .212
1B Lane 3-8, 2B (15), 3B (4), K, 2 RS, SB (9) -- .303
DH A. Perez 2-5, 2 BB, SF, RBI (22), K, picked off -- .289
CF Lough 1-8, RBI (11), 3 K -- .304
2B Molina 0-5, S, SF, RBI (8), 2 K -- .214
RF Norris 2-7, BB, K, SB (26) -- .287
LF Severino 2-8, 2B (7), 2 K, RS -- .245
*Burlington stranded 14.

Biddle 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- 2.93 ERA
Arias and Gjeldum 7 2/3 IP scoreless relief
Belanger 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 3.27 ERA
J. Diaz 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K -- BS, 1, W, 1-1, 5.88 ERA

Burlington forced extras in the 9th and the game got a little wild in the 16th as the Royals ended up with the marathon win. Princeton scored a run in the 1st with 2 hits and a hit batsman but Kyle Martin led off the 4th with his 7th homer to tie the game. The Rays scored a run on 2 hits off SP George Biddle in the 5th and the 2-1 lead held into the 9th as Rays SP Jeremy Hall finally gave the game to the bullpen for that inning. It cost him the win as Antonio Jimenez hit a 2-out game-tying single before the Royals left 2 in scoring position. The Royals stranded 2 in the 11th and the Rays screwed up a squeeze bunt play in the bottom of the 11th to squander a bases-loaded, no out situation. The Royals stranded 2 more in the 14th and Princeton left the bases full in the 15th. The Royals loaded the bases with no outs in the 16th and scored 2 runs on a Yeldrys Molina sac fly and a David Lough RBI single that saw Nick Doscher nailed at the plate to end the rally. Ryan Belanger was pulled after giving up a single and RBI double to start the Princeton 16th and Jose Diaz gave up a game-tying single before stranding 2. Jake Lane led off the 17th with his 4th triple and scored on an Alwin Perez sac fly and Diaz stranded the tying run at second to get his 1st win. Rays 2B Omar Luna was 4-8 with his 10th SB to move to .303 and RP Austin Hinkle took the loss with 4 IP of 3 ER on 5 hits, 2 walks and a K to fall to 3-2 with a 2.16 ERA. The Rays stranded 19.

Burlington is 31-26 and 10 1/2 games back. A 2-game set at the Bluefield Orioles (26-29) starts tonight. The Royals are 2-4 versus the O's. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie -- AZL: Giants 4, Royals 1

CF Richardson 2-4, RBI (15), SB (11) -- .228
LF Pennell 1-4, K -- .307
DH Wood 0-4, K -- .320
3B F. Cruz 1-3, HBP -- .208

Runion 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP, balk -- L, 2-3, 6.25 ERA
Hodgson 3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 4.82 ERA

Giants starter Wilber Bucardo held the Royals in check and the Giants narrowed the Royals' AZL lead. Both teams stranded 2 in the 1st and the Giants got to SP Sam Runion for 3 runs in the 3rd on 2 walks, 3 hits, a passed ball and wild pitch. Bucardo met little resistance after the 1st but the Royals finally got to him in the 8th as Astin Jacobo hit a 1-out triple and scored on a Hilton Richardson single before Richardson was stranded at third. RP Ivor Hodgson gave the run back in the Giants 8th and the Royals stranded 1 in the 9th as RP Daniel Runzler got his 3rd save. Giants 2B Nick Noonan was 3-4 with his 4th triple and 33rd RBI along with his 15th SB to move to .320 and Bucardo got the win with 8 IP of an ER on 6 hits and 3 Ks to improve to 4-2 with a 2.02 ERA.

The Royals are 12-6 and a game up on first. They play the 10-8 Mariners tonight.