Royals on the Farm 8/24

AAA -- Omaha: Round Rock 6, O-Royals 0 (7/G1)

2B Cortez 2-3 -- .295
C Phillips 2-3 -- .239
CF Maier 1-3, 2B (27) -- .280
DH Sweeney 1-3 -- .333, rehab game 1
3B Aviles 0-3 -- .303
RF Huber 0-2, BB, K, E (3) -- .277
1B Shealy 0-2, BB, K -- .245
LF Lubanski 0-3 -- .217

Hochevar 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K, HRA -- L, 1-3, 6.14 ERA, another unremarkable start, but not horrible
Atencio 2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 K, WP -- 9.00 ERA

Luke Hochevar got no run support and the Royals were blanked in the first of 2 with Round Rock Friday. Omaha's best chance came in the 6th when they got runners to second and third with no outs but they could make nothing of the opportunity. The Royals also stranded 2 in the 7th. Meanwhile, Hochevar left the bases loaded in the 2nd but gave up a 2-run homer in the 3rd. The Express manufactured a run in the 4th and then polished it off with 3 runs on 4 hits and a wild pitch off Greg Atencio in the 6th. Express C Humberto Quintero was 3-3 with his 11th double to move to .327 and SP Brandon Backe got the win with 6 IP of 5 hits, a walk and 3 Ks to move to 2-2 with a 4.26 ERA.

O-Royals 8, Round Rock 0 (7/G2; 4-hitter)

1B Brazell 3-4, HR (31), 3 RBI (74), 2 RS -- .319
DH Shealy 1-2, BB, HR (7), 3 RBI (21), RS -- .250
LF Huber 2-3, BB, 2 RBI (61), RS -- .282
CF Maier 1-3, BB, 2 RS -- .280
C Tupman 2-3 -- .288

Lumsden 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K -- W, 9-5, 6.04 ERA, wish we'd seen more of this this season
Musser IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 0.35 ERA

Tyler Lumsden turned the tables on the Express in the nightcap as he shut Round Rock down to split the twinbill. Lumsden took a no-hitter into the 4th and the Express didn't have 2 baserunners in any inning until the 7th as Neal Musser stranded both. Omaha tallied its runs on a Craig Brazell RBI single in the 1st; RBI singles by Brazell and Justin Huber in the 3rd followed by a 3-run homer by Ryan Shealy for his 7th at AAA this season; a Huber RBI single in the 4th; and a solo homer by Brazell in the 6th for his 31st at Omaha and 38th overall. The homer gave him sole possession of fourth on Omaha's all-time season HR list. Express SP Philip Barzilla took the loss with 4 IP of 7 ER on 11 hits, 3 walks and 2 Ks to fall to 8-7 with a 4.56 ERA.

Omaha is 66-67 and out of the playoff race. The teams will make up Thursday's rainout tonight with another doubleheader. Probable starters for game 1: Express RH Josh Miller (1-1, 3.62) vs. Omaha LH Paul Mildren (5-7, 5.92). Game 2: RR RH Jared Gothreaux (5-8, 5.09) vs. Royals LH Nate Hoelscher (5-2, 4.96). P Billy Buckner got the call to KC with Mark Teahen hitting the DL and P John Thomson's rehab assignment has been canceled as wrist problems have reportedly surfaced.

AA -- Wichita: Wranglers 8, Arkansas 1

LF Padilla 2-4, 2B (12), GS (10), 4 RBI (48), 2 RS -- .346
SS Falu 3-4, RBI (27), RS -- .252
2B Valentin 1-3, BB, RBI (47), RS -- .293
RF Joseph 1-2, BB, SF, RBI (28), K, 2 RS -- .256
1B Stodolka 0-3, BB, RBI (57), RS -- .291
DH Kaaihue 0-2, 2 BB, RS -- .242

Shiell 5 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 2.25 ERA
Foster and Plummer 4 IP scoreless relief

A 5-run 7th gave Wichita some breathing room as they stayed alive in the division race. Starter Jason Shiell gave up a leadoff homer in the 2nd but Wichita matched the run in the bottom of the inning on an Onil Joseph sac fly. The Wranglers stranded 2 but took the lead in the 5th on a Geraldo Valentin RBI single before stranding 2 in that inning as well. In the 7th, the Wranglers loaded the bases with 2 outs and Mike Stodolka forced in a run with a walk before Jorge Padilla clubbed a grand slam to left for his 10th AA homer of the season. Irving Falu padded the lead with an 8th inning RBI single as Jarod Plummer pitched 2 perfect innings to wrap it up. Travs SS Sean Rodriguez was 2-4 with his 31st double, 14th HR and 65th RBI to move to .250 and SP Nick Green took the loss with 6 1/3 IP of 3 ER on 4 hits, 3 walks and a K to drop to 10-7 with a 3.68 ERA.

Wichita is 27-32 and 3 1/2 games back, but still in last place in the TL North. The Wranglers begin their last series in Wichita tonight with the first of a 3-day, 4-game set with the Tulsa Drillers (27-30, AA Rockies). No announced starters on the team site. The Wranglers are 6-15 versus the Drillers.

A-Adv. -- Wilmington: Blue Rocks 12, Lynchburg 1 (completion of 8/19 game)

3B Lisson 2-5, HR (8), 3 RBI (59), 2 RS, E (14) -- .277
SS Johnson 1-4, 2B (11), 2 RBI (26), 2 RS -- .249
2B Maddox 2-4, BB, 2B (14), RBI (40), 2 RS -- .259
LF Cleveland 2-5, RBI (10), K, RS -- .250
CF Duarte 1-4, BB, RBI (38) -- .293
1B Vega 1-5, RBI (45), K, CS -- .227
C Clark 2-4, 2B (4), 2 RS -- .257
RF Bigler 2-4, RS -- .256
DH Jirschele 2-3, HBP, 2B (3), 2 RS -- .324

Hardy CG, UER, 4 H, BB, 6 K -- W, 15-4, 2.43 ERA, set Rocks record for wins in a season

Rowdy Hardy finished what he started Aug. 19 and didn't quite get his no-hitter but pitched well enough with ample run support for an easy win. The game resumed at 0-0 in the bottom of the 3rd with P Jose Diaz taking the mound for Lynchburg. The Rocks were ready from the get-go as they scored 4 runs in the inning on a Marc Maddox RBI double, RBI singles by Jeremy Cleveland and Miguel Vega and a wild pitch that scored Cleveland to make it 4-0. The Hillcats contributed 2 errors in the inning. Hardy allowed a run in the 4th on a Mario Lisson error and a double but retired the next 10 batters to get back in rhythm. The Rocks added 5 runs in the 6th on a 2-run Hillcats error and a 3-run homer by Lisson for his 8th of the season. Wilmington cushioned the lead with 3 runs in the 7th on a 2-run bases-loaded double by Josh Johnson and a Jose Duarte RBI single. Hardy stranded 1 in the 7th and 8th and 2 in the 9th to get the complete-game win. Hillcats DH Brad Corley was 1-4 with his 35th double and 82nd RBI to move to .283 and Diaz took the loss with 4 1/3 IP of 12 runs (4 ER) on 10 hits, a walk and K to drop to 3-2 with a 6.47 ERA.

Blue Rocks 5, Lynchburg 1 (7/regular Friday game; 2-hitter)

2B Johnson 2-4, 2 RBI (29), K, CS -- .253
SS McConnell 2-3, 2B (6), RBI (19), K, RS -- .223
C Thibault 1-2, 2 BB, RBI (33), RS -- .258
CF Duarte 2-4, 2B (24), K, RS, SB (32) -- .289
1B McCann 2-3, BB, 2B (13), RS, SB (1) -- .257
3B Lisson 1-4, SB (21) -- .283, Rocks record 20-game hit streak going
RF McFall 1-4, K -- .281

Chambliss 4 IP, BB, 3 K -- 3.97 ERA
D'Amico 2 IP, BB -- W, 5-2, 5.00 ERA
Oliveros IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K -- 3.78 ERA

The Blue Rocks took a no-hitter through 6 1/3 innings before Rayner Oliveros lost the no-no and the shutout but salvaged the victory. Josh Johnson hit an RBI single in the 1st and the Rocks scored 3 in the 2nd on a Kiel Thibault RBI single, Chris McConnell RBI double and Johnson RBI single to take a 4-0 lead. Wilmington left the bases loaded in the 3rd but added a run in the 5th on a wild pitch that scored Brad McCann before again leaving the bases full. Oliveros kept the no-hitter intact with a K to start the 7th but then allowed a single, double and sac fly before getting a game-ending K. Lynchburg SP Derek Antelo took the loss with 4 IP of 4 ER on 10 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to fall to 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA.

Wilmington is 38-21 and 6 games up on first. The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Rocks right-hander Michael Penn (3-2, 3.64) vs. Hillcats righty Jean Garavito (5-5, 4.05).

A -- Burlington: Bees 4, Wisconsin 3

DH Castillo 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (15), K, picked off -- .265
SS Bianchi 2-4, RBI (31), K, RS, SB (12), E (13) -- .242
2B Soto 2-2, S, HR (3), RBI (12), RS -- .246
CF Robinson 0-4, E (6) -- .247
RF Walton 0-3, BB, OF assist at second -- .268

Wood 5 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 2-1, 3.03 ERA, 17-inning scoreless streak going, '06 3rd rounder starting to pay dividends
Barrera 2 IP, UER, H, 3 K -- 4.23 ERA
Hayes IP, H -- 3.36 ERA
A. Morales IP, 2 ER, 4 H -- SV, 3, 1.35 ERA

The Bees fended off a 9th inning Rattler rally to take the opener. Starter Blake Wood stranded 2 in the 3rd and the Bees gave him some support with 3 runs in the 3rd on a Jeff Bianchi RBI single and 2-run single by Luis Castillo that ended the inning when he was thrown out trying to get to second on the play. Wood made it through 5 scoreless before handing the ball to Henry Barrera in the 6th. Barrera allowed a run that inning on a hit, 2 passed balls and a Bianchi error. Jesus Soto got the run back for Burlington with a solo homer in the 7th for his 3rd homer of the season. Angelo Morales came on for the 9th and allowed 2 doubles and a single for a run before getting the second out. Another single brought another run home and put the tying run at second when Morales got a fly out to end it. Rattlers RF Calvin Beamon was 3-5 to move to .250 and SP Ricky Orta took the loss with 6 IP of 3 ER on 5 hits, 3 walks and 4 Ks to drop to 4-6 with a 4.78 ERA.

Burlington is 28-31 and 9 games back. The series continues tonight. Probable starters: Bees RH Jason Godin (4-5, 3.08) vs. Rattlers RH Kyle Parker (4-9, 3.28).

Rookie -- Idaho Falls: Chukars 6, Ogden 3

CF Ortiz 2-5, 2 RBI (20), 2 K, CS -- .298
C Billick 1-4, RBI (9), K, RS -- .186
SS Evangelho 0-2, 2 HBP, RBI (14), K -- .290
1B Seratelli 0-3, SF, RBI (41), RS -- .332
RF Gonzalez 2-3, BB, 2 RS, 2 SB (14) -- .290
LF Tucker 1-5, 2 K -- .417
DH Robinson 1-4, 2B (16), K, RS -- .335

Leonard 4 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K -- 4.66 ERA
J. Hughes 3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K, pickoff -- W, 1-1, 4.08 ERA
Swaggerty IP, BB, K, WP -- 3.86 ERA
Holland IP, ER, H, HRA -- 3.41 ERA

The Chukars pulled out a 6-3 win in the opener with the Raptors. Ogden got a run on 2 hits and a walk in the 1st but Idaho Falls matched it in the 2nd on a wild pitch that scored O.D. Gonzalez. IF scored 2 in the 5th on an Adrian Ortiz 2-run single and P Joe Hughes allowed a run in the 5th on 3 hits. The Chukars scored 2 more in the 6th on an Anthony Seratelli sac fly and a Joe Billick RBI ground out. Another insurance run in the 8th came on a Zach Evangelho RBI ground out. Greg Holland allowed a solo homer in the 9th before closing the door. Ogden SS Jaime Pedroza was 2-4 with his 18th double and 2 RBI (37) to move to .359 and SP Robert Blevins got the L with 5 IP of 3 ER on 7 hits and 6 Ks to fall to 3-3 with a 3.55 ERA.

IF is 15-9 and still a game up on first. The series continues tonight with no announced starters on the team site. Still no Moustakas, but I wonder if he might make his debut Monday when the Chukars start their next home series.

Rookie -- Burlington: B-Royals 5, Johnson City 1

2B Martin 1-4, HR (8), 2 RBI (31), K, RS -- .241
RF A. Perez 1-3, BB, HR (5), RBI (29), 2 K, 2 RS -- .280
3B Santos 2-4, 2B (8), RBI (19), 2 K -- .275
C Graterol 1-3, RBI (7), RS -- .178
1B Amyx 2-4, 2B (13), K -- .268
CF Norris 0-4, K -- .294

Gausman 5 IP, 5 H, 4 K -- W, 3-2, 2.68 ERA
Caldera 4 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K, HRA -- SV, 2, 3.40 ERA

The Royals got a good start from Brian Gausman to help them to a 5-1 win with the season winding down. Alwin Perez hit his 5th homer in the 1st to stake Burlington to a 1-0 lead and Gausman stranded 2 in both the 2nd and 5th. The Royals scored 3 in the 5th on a Juan Graterol RBI single and 2-run homer by Kyle Martin for his 8th pro shot. Alex Caldera gave up a solo homer in the 6th and sidestepped further trouble to lock down the win. Jose Santos accounted for the Royals' other run with an RBI single in the 8th. Cards CF Adron Chambers was 2-5 with 2 doubles (6) to move to .292 and SP Nick Additon took the loss with 4 1/3 IP of 3 ER on 5 hits and 6 Ks to fall to 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA.

The B-Royals are 35-29 and out of the race, but has guaranteed a winning record in their first season as a Royals affiliate. The series finishes up tonight. No announced starters on the team site. B-Royals P David Bernat is getting a trip to Wichita this weekend for a spot start for the Wranglers.

Rookie -- AZL: Royals 10, Padres 4

LF Pennell 2-3, BB, 2 RBI (20), 2 RS -- .293
DH D. Cruz 2-4, 2 RBI (32), K, RS -- .285
2B Angel 1-5, 3B (1), 2 RBI (24), 2 K, RS -- .266
SS Jose 3-5, RBI (18), 2 RS, E (21) -- .234
1B Wood 1-5, 3B (3), RBI (37), K, RS -- .317
3B F. Cruz 2-4, K, RS, E (13) -- .222
CF Richardson 1-3, BB, HBP, K, RS, SB (12) -- .211
C McCauley 1-4, 2B (8), 2 K, RS, PB (3) -- .269

Duffy 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 5 K -- 1.05 ERA, great performances continue
Lehmann 4 IP, 3 UER, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- W, 5-1, 2.70 ERA
Van Slyke IP, ER, 2 H, K, WP -- 0.84 ERA

The Royals cranked out 9 early runs en route to the 10-4 win. They started the scoring with 2 in the 2nd on a 2-out, 2-run single by Vinny Pennell then scored 3 in the 3rd on a 2-run triple by Ryan Angel and a Diego Cruz RBI single. The Royals added 4 runs in the 4th on a 2-run Padres error, a David Wood RBI triple and Cruz RBI single. Dan Duffy and Mike Lehmann kept the Padres quiet through 7 innings but they scored 3 in the 8th off Lehmann on 3 hits, a passed ball and Fernando Cruz error. Lifete Jose finished the Royals' scoring with an RBI single in the 8th and Eric Van Slyke allowed a run in the 9th but finished the Padres off. Pads 3B Edgar Garzon was 2-4 with his 11th double to move to .313 and SP Simon Castro took the loss with 3 1/3 IP of 8 runs (3 ER) on 9 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to fall to 2-5 with a 5.98 ERA.

The Royals are 15-9 and still tied for first. They have today off before taking on the Giants for sole possession of first place Sunday.