Royals on the Farm 6/27 and 6/28

NOTE: Yesterday was "big move" day so I'm combining the last 2 days into 1 and condensing it somewhat. Reports will hopefully continue as usual Monday or Tuesday.

AAA - Omaha: Friday's game was postponed by a power outage and is being made up as part of a twinbill today.

O-Royals 6, Oklahoma 1 (7/G1 Sat.)

DH Shealy 2-3, HR (11), 3 RBI (28) -- .260, gradually getting back in form
CF Maier 2-3, 2B (15), K, 2 RS -- .306
2B Smith 1-3, HR (18), RBI (49), K, RS -- .271
1B Stodolka 2-3, K, CS -- .239
SS Sanchez 0-2, BB -- .000, '08 AAA debut

Rosa 5 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 8 K -- W, 3-1, 3.60 ERA, back in form at Omaha
Yabuta 2 IP, 2 BB, K -- 0.00 ERA, AAA debut

Oklahoma 9, O-Royals 4 (7/G2 Sat.)

C B. Pena 3-4, 2B (3), RBI (4) -- .319
1B Shealy 0-1, 3 BB -- .259
CF Maier 0-2, 2 BB, K, 2 RS -- .304
SS Sanchez 1-3, RBI -- .200

Lumsden 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 3-8, 7.33 ERA, 47 pitches! BUST
Lowery 3 1/3 IP, ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 1.84 ERA
Musser 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- 3.45 ERA

*** The teams split the twinbill as it was a tale of two games for Omaha. Carlos Rosa pretty much held the RedHawks in check in game 1 and got 3 RBI from Ryan Shealy as all the support he needed. In game 2, Tyler Lumsden got steamrolled by a grand slam by John Mayberry Jr. in the 1st and didn't survive the inning as a 7-0 lead was more than enough for Oklahoma starter Matt Harrison. Brayan Pena did have a 3-hit game for Omaha as one of the O-Royals' few offensive highlights in game 2.

Omaha is 40-39 and 5.5 games back. The teams match up for another double dip today. Brandon Duckworth pitches game 1 for Omaha and, I assume, Dusty Hughes will pitch game 2. RP Roberto Giron was released by KC and 1B Billy Butler has been recalled to the big leagues.

AA - NW Arkansas: San Antonio 7, Naturals 0 (Fri.)

2B Maddox 2-3, E (3) -- .283
CF Duarte 1-4, 2B (11), 3 K -- .247
1B Kaaihue 0-3, BB, K -- .279

Pimentel 1 2/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- L, 3-9, 5.72 ERA, getting torched at AA
Atencio 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 5 K -- 4.62 ERA
Hayes 2 2/3 IP, H -- 2.23 ERA
de la Vara IP, ER, H, WP -- 20.25 ERA

San Antonio 10, Naturals 1 (Sat.)

SS Lisson 1-4, HR (7), RBI (30), K, RS -- .221
CF Duarte 1-3, BB, 2B (12), K -- .248
1B Kaaihue 0-2, 2 BB, E (6) -- .276

R. Hardy 3 IP, 8 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- L, 3-7, 5.38 ERA, AA has been a hard dose of reality for soft-tosser Rowdy
Nicoll 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 3.52 ERA
Plummer 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- 4.62 ERA

*** Simply put: P-U, the Naturals stink. Two dismal pitching performances from Julio Pimentel and Rowdy Hardy meant 2 losses for the Nats. Meanwhile, the offense was stagnant, so there's not even a bright side there.

The Nats are 2-7 but only 2.5 games back. A 3-game set at the Corpus Christi Hooks (4-5, AA 'Stros) starts tonight. Blake Johnson starts the opener for NWA. The Nats are 2-4 versus the Hooks.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Salem 3 (Fri.)

2B Bianchi 2-4, BB, 2B (13), 2 RBI (35), K, RS -- .244
1B Seratelli 1-3, BB, 2B (8), 2 RBI (35), SB (13), E (2) -- .205
DH J. Johnson 1-4, RBI (22), 2 K, RS -- .268
CF D. Robinson 1-3, 2 BB, 2 RS, 4 SB! (36) -- .249
RF Dickerson 0-4, BB, 2 RS -- .314
SS McConnell 1-2, 3 BB, RS, SB (19) -- .286
* LF Jarrod Dyson also stole his 28th base.

Santiago 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 6-4, 4.01 ERA
Holland and Hartsock 3 scoreless IP
Bradley IP, ER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 9.00 ERA, high-A debut

Blue Rocks 8, Salem 4 (Sat.)

2B Mertins 3-4, 2B (18), HR (2), 3 RBI (31), 3 RS -- .298
CF D. Robinson 3-5, 3B (4), 2 RS -- .255
SS McConnell 2-4, BB, 2B (23), RBI (20), 2 K, RS, E (18) -- .289
C Morizio 2-4, 2B (4), RBI (12) -- .180
RF Dickerson 1-4, BB, 2B (10), RBI (45), 2 K, RS -- .313
3B J. Johnson 1-3, BB, RBI (23) -- .269

Kniginyzky 5 IP, ER, 6 H, 6 K -- W, 3-7, 3.92 ERA
Hartsock 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- 4.44 ERA
Swaggerty 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- 2.95 ERA
Chambliss IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K, WP -- 3.60 ERA

*** Two 8-run outputs gave the Rocks 2 of 3 from Salem in the series. The Rocks ran all over the Avalanche in Friday's win as Derrick Robinson stole 4 bases and the Rocks scored 6 runs in the 1st in the win. The Rocks scored 4 in the 7th yesterday to help cement that win for starter Matt Kniginyzky. While it was more a team effort Friday offensively, Kurt Mertins was Saturday's offensive highlight with a 3-hit, 3-RBI game.

The Rocks are 3-6 and 4 games back heading into a 3-game home set with the Lynchburg Hillcats (4-5, A-Adv. Pirates). Wilmington is 6-3 versus Lynchburg this season. Probable starters today are Rocks lefty Everett Teaford (4-1, 3.22) and Lynchburg southpaw Tony Watson (5-8, 4.15).

A - Burlington: Bees 8, Wisconsin 4 (Fri.)

CF Ortiz 3-5, 2B (8), K -- .304
3B Moustakas 1-3, 2 BB, HR (11), RBI (39), 2 RS -- .241
1B C. Robinson 1-3, 2 BB, HR (9), RBI (27), RS, E (3) -- .260
C Billick 2-4, 2B (2), RBI (2), K, 2 RS -- .500
LF Lough 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (31), K -- .267
2B Giavotella 1-4, BB, K, E (3) -- .234

Paulino 6 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 4 H, BB, 5 K -- W, 4-3, 3.89 ERA
Z. Peterson 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K -- SV, 3, 3.60 ERA

Bees 5, Wisconsin 3 (Sat.)

2B Giavotella 2-3, BB, 2 RBI (4), CS (2) -- .260
RF Walton 2-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI (23), RS -- .207
CF Ortiz 3-4, 2B (9), RS, picked off -- .309
3B Moustakas 1-4 -- .241
DH Martin 2-4, 2B (8), K, RS -- .333

Duffy 5 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K, WP -- W, 4-3, 3.43 ERA
Abreu 4 IP, 2 ER, H, 5 BB, 7 K, HRA -- SV, 4, 4.21 ERA, a little trouble finding strike zone at times

*** The Bees got back on the winning track by taking 2 more from Wisconsin thus far this weekend. Mike Moustakas and Clint Robinson had homers in Friday's win in support of Eduardo Paulino and Adrian Ortiz went a combined 6-9 in the 2 wins. '08 2nd rounder Johnny Giavotella has also hiked his batting average up to .260 with a 2-hit game Saturday. Danny Duffy had another good start Saturday to continue to prove the Royals spent a draft pick wisely on him in 2007.

The Bees are 6-4 and a game back of first. Alex Caldera is starting game 3 of the set today for Burlington.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 3, Chukars 2 (Fri.)

SS Alfaro 1-4, 2B (3), RBI (7), 2 K -- .333
RF Francis 1-4, 3B (3), 3 K, RS, OF assist at home -- .311
CF Norris 1-4, 2 K -- .302
DH Griffin 0-4, 3 K -- .243
1B Espinosa 0-3, 2 K -- .182
2B F. Garcia 1-3, RS, 2 SB (5) -- .313

Casey 3 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K -- 1.32 ERA
Morgan 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 3.12 ERA
J. Garcia 2 IP, H, 3 K -- 1.13 ERA

Ogden 8, Chukars 7 (Sat.)

SS Alfaro 3-5, 2B (4), 3B, 2 RBI (9), 2 RS -- .379
LF Griffin 3-5, 2 RBI (6), K -- .286
3B Van De Keere 2-4, RBI, 3 E (5) -- .222
RF Francis 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (13) -- .313
CF Norris 0-5, 2 K, 2 RS, OF assist at home -- .271
1B Espinosa 1-3, BB, 2B, RS -- .194

Cota 3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, E -- L, 0-1, 6.35 ERA
Miller IP, 3 ER, H, 3 BB, 2 K -- 8.31 ERA
Carver 2 IP, ER, H, BB, 2 K -- 10.80 ERA
Gilgenbach and Foster 3 scoreless IP

*** In Friday's loss to Casper, the pitching staff kept Idaho Falls in the game but the offense couldn't get enough runs. Saturday the offense got enough runs but 3 of the 5 Chukar pitchers gave up runs in the opener with Ogden to lose that game, too. J.D. Alfaro was the offensive stud of both games for IF as he went a combined 4-9 with 3 RBI.

IF is 4-8 and 6 games back. The series with Ogden continues this afternoon as Ivor Hodgson starts for the Chukars. The Chukars are 2-2 versus the Raptors.

Rookie - Burlington: Princeton 5, B-Royals 3 (Fri.)

C S. Perez 2-4, RBI (5) -- .308
CF H. Richardson 0-4, 2 K -- .231
1B Morales 1-3, BB, RS, E (2) -- .280
3B F. Cruz 0-4, 2 E (4) -- .219
RF Caldwell 0-3, K, RS -- .167

Jorge 3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, BB, 3 K, HRA, E -- 3.38 ERA
O.D. Gonzalez 2 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H -- L, 0-1, 13.50 ERA, can't say the conversion to P is going well
Farinas and Bowden 2 1/3 IP scoreless relief

Princeton 8, B-Royals 7 (11/Sat.)

LF Aparicio 3-5, 2B (4), RBI (5), 2 K, RS -- .233
CF H. Richardson 2-4, BB, 2 K, 2 RS -- .256
3B F. Cruz 0-4, 2 K -- .194
RF Caldwell 1-4, BB, RS -- .175
3B-1B Morales 0-4, BB, 3 K, RS -- .241
C Moctezuma 2-4, RBI (2) -- .286
DH Vittek 1-5, 2 RBI, 2 K, RS -- .200, pro debut
SS J. Gutierrez 2-5, RBI (3), K, CS -- .235

Herrera 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 1.69 ERA
Halliman 1 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- 12.60 ERA, surprise, guy with bad college ERA getting lit up in pros
Mieles 1 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 4.15 ERA
Roq. Colon 2 1/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 4.26 ERA
M. Baez 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, K -- L, 0-2, 6.75 ERA

*** The rookie Royals' woes continued as Princeton got 2 wins for the sweep. The B-Royals had 4 errors and only 3 hits in Friday's loss as converted outfielder O.D. Gonzalez got stuck with the loss on the mound. Saturday, the Royals had to push across 6 runs in the 8th to force extras and then lost in 11 as 4 of the 5 Royals pitchers used gave up runs.

The B-Royals are 1-10 and easily have the worst record in the Appalachian League. A 3-game set versus the Elizabethton Twins (9-3) starts tonight, so the road gets no easier. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - AZL: Mariners 3, Royals 2 (10/Fri.)

RF Del Rosario 2-4 -- .438
DH Matos 2-4, 2B, CS -- .500, '08 draftee's pro debut
CF Llanos 0-5, RBI (3), 4 K -- .158, golden sombrero
LF D. Rodriguez 0-1, 3 BB, K, RS, SB (2) -- .286
C J. Bonilla 1-4, RBI (3), K -- .467
3B Kuebler 0-4 -- .056

Culver 2 IP, H -- 0.00 ERA, scoreless pro debut
Hamulack IP, ER, 3 H, BB -- 6.75 ERA
D. De La Cruz 4 IP, UER, 3 H, 3 K -- 2.00 ERA
A. Bonilla 2 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 3.18 ERA

Royals 3, Rangers 1 (Sat.)

2B D. Batista 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K, 2 RS -- .357
C J. Bonilla 2-4, 2B (3), 3B -- .474
DH Fowler 2-3, K, RS, SB -- .667, season debut
RF Del Rosario 1-4, K, picked off -- .400

Montgomery 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, so far, so good
L. Perez 5 IP, H, BB, 5 K -- W, 1-0, 1.00 ERA
Sirrett 2 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- SV, 1, 3.18 ERA

*** The Royals stayed somewhat competitive in the AZL as a Jose Bonilla RBI single in the 9th forced extras Friday in an eventual loss to the Mariners and Mike Montgomery and Leondy Perez combined to 1-hit the Rangers over 7 IP Saturday in a Royals win. Bonilla continues to produce at the plate as he had a 2-hit game Saturday to improve to .474. As you can see above, a few Royals made their season debuts, including '08 draftees Mauricio Matos and Malcolm Culver.

The Royals weren't competitive today as the Cubs absolutely crushed them. More on that in the next report. The Royals were 3-3 going into today.

Royals on the Farm 6/26

AAA - Omaha: off day

*** The O-Royals return to the friendly confines of Rosenblatt Stadium for the start of a 4-game set with the Oklahoma RedHawks (44-36, AAA Rangers) tonight. Omaha sends RH Carlos Rosa (2-1, 3.96) to the mound vs. Oklahoma's Matt Harrison (2-1, 4.00). No word yet on the team site whether IF Angel Sanchez or RP Yaz Yabuta will be on hand for tonight's game.

AA - NW Arkansas: San Antonio 8, Naturals 0

RF Falu 2-4 -- .259
DH McFall 1-3, 2B (11), 2 K -- .246, team's only XBH
CF Duarte 1-4, 2 K, E (3), OF assist at home -- .247, if he was just a smidge better in every offensive area he'd be a really good prospect

B. Wood 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA, WP -- L, 1-3, 6.33 ERA, still working on consistency
Plummer 2 IP, 2 BB, 4 K -- 4.50 ERA
de la Vara 1/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 3 H, BB, K -- 54.00 ERA, yowza
Crist 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 4.02 ERA

*** The Naturals almost had as many errors (4) as hits (5) in getting trounced in the opener with the Missions. Blake Wood loaded the bases with no outs in the 1st and ended up allowing a 2-run single before escaping the jam without further damage. A homer in the 2nd made it 3-0 SA and NWA was shut out on 2 hits through 5. Jarod Plummer came in with 2 on and 0 outs in the 5th and ended up walking in a run before stranding the bases loaded. The Missions loaded the bases again in the 7th off Gilbert de la Vara (making his '08 AA debut) and got 2 2-run singles to make it 8-0. Former Royal farmhand Gabe DeHoyos finished it in the 9th for San Antonio. P Mike Ekstrom got the win with 4 IP of 2 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to move to 3-5 with a 6.10 ERA and starter Steve Garrison worked only 2 innings with a hit and K to lower his ERA to 3.01. 1B Mike Baxter was 3-5 with 2 RBI (25) to move to .293 and CF Drew Macias and C Colt Morton had 2 hits each for the Missions. Morton chipped in his 2nd homer and 3 RBI (9) to move to .161.

NWA is 2-5 and 2.5 games back. The series continues tonight as Nats SP Julio Pimentel (3-8, 5.40) takes on San Antonio's Stephen Faris (4-2, 3.46). The Nats are 6-17 in June.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Salem 6, Blue Rocks 3

RF Dickerson 2-4, 3B (9), RBI (44), K, RS -- .319
DH Mertins 2-4, 2 K, RS, SB (15) -- .293
2B Bianchi 0-3, SF, RBI (33), 2 K -- .239
SS McConnell 1-3, BB, K, RS -- .285
3B J. Johnson 1-3, S, K -- .268
CF D. Robinson 0-3, BB, K, SB (32), picked off -- .248

Cegarra 4 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 2-3, 4.71 ERA, not his night
Haltiwanger 2 IP, 2 H, BB, K -- 3.86 ERA
Swaggerty IP, K -- 3.18 ERA
Barrera 2 IP, H, K -- 2.62 ERA

*** Salem scored in each of the first 4 innings to get past the Rocks in the post all-star break opener. Ed Cegarra gave up a double and sac fly in the 1st but Joe Dickerson hit an RBI triple and scored on a Jeff Bianchi sac fly in the bottom of the inning to make it 2-1 Rocks. Koby Clemens tripled and scored for Salem to tie it in the 2nd and the Avalanche slapped together 2 more doubles in the 3rd to make it 3-2 Salem. A run scoring passed ball and 2-run homer in the 4th completed the onslaught as Salem made it 6-2. Kurt Mertins scored on a passed ball in the 5th to cut the lead to 3. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 7th and Derrick Robinson walked and stole second in the 8th but was picked off, which made a subsequent Dickerson single meaningless. Mertins singled and got to third in the 9th but was stranded there as RP Jason Dominguez got his 5th save. Starter Doug Arguello worked 6 IP of 3 ER on 4 hits, a walk and 7 Ks to move to 4-2 with a 2.68 ERA. Three Salem hitters had 2-hit games. Clemens had his 4th triple and 2 RS with 2 passed balls (19) to move to .264.

The Blue Rocks are 1-6. The series with Salem continues tonight. Probable starters: Rocks righty Mario Santiago (5-4, 4.04) and Salem righty Corey Bass (2-8, 5.81). A few roster moves have been made, as de la Vara got called up to AA, IF Wilver Perez was released after hitting .170 in 31 games, RP Tony Bradley got called up from Burlington to Wilmington, and, as noted in a previous report, P Paul Mildren was demoted from AA.

A - Burlington: Peoria 10, Bees 3

DH Moustakas 2-4, RBI (38), K -- .240
CF Ortiz 1-4, RBI (21), RS -- .299
C Billick 1-2, BB, 2B, RBI, K, RS, E -- .500, newest Bee makes A-ball debut
3B-1B Taylor 0-4, K -- .215
2B Giavotella 1-4, K, CS -- .233
SS Martin 1-4, K, CS (2) -- .341
RF Van Stratten 1-4, K -- .323

D. Gutierrez 3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K -- L, 1-1, 2.53 ERA
Runion 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, HRA -- 5.40 ERA, torched
Chavez 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- 2.70 ERA
Baldwin IP, ER, H, K, HRA -- 3.24 ERA

*** The Bees couldn't generate any offense until it was too late as Peoria won their third straight over Burlington in the series finale. Starter Danny Gutierrez gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 1st and the Chiefs were off to the races. Clint Robinson was pulled from the game before even coming to the plate in the 2nd and the Bees squandered a couple chances at a rally before the Chiefs got a sac fly in the 5th to make it 3-0. The Chiefs broke it open in the 7th with 5 runs on 3 hits, a 2-run homer, a sac fly, a hit batsman and error. A Chris Chavez wild pitch scored a run in the 8th and the Bees finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning as Joe Billick hit an RBI double and scored on an Adrian Ortiz single and Mike Moustakas singled Ortiz home to cut it to 9-3. Two Bees were stranded and Burke Baldwin gave up a solo homer in the 9th to provide the final part of the margin of defeat. Peoria SP Kevin Kreier got the win with 6 IP of 5 hits, a walk and 3 Ks to improve to 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA. Only 3 Chiefs DIDN'T have 2-hit games, and 3 Chiefs had 2 RBI each.

So much for a hot start to the second half. The Bees are 4-4 and 3 games back. A 4-game home set versus the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (3-5, A Mariners) starts tonight. Slated starters are Bees SP Eduardo Paulino (3-3, 3.84) and Wisconsin's Juan Ramirez (3-5, 3.91). The Bees are 8-4 versus the Rattlers and have won 7 of the last 8 head-to-head.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 4, Chukars 2

RF Francis 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (12), 2 K, RS -- .317
CF Norris 2-5, K, SB (5) -- .308
2B F. Garcia 2-5, K, E (3) -- .310
LF Griffin 2-4, 2 K, RS -- .273
C McCauley 0-4 -- .182
SS Molina 1-4, 3B, 2 K -- .310

Toribio 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, WP -- 4.50 ERA
Rada 2 IP, UER, H, BB, 2 K -- 3.18 ERA
C. Beach 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA
Saito IP, K -- 2.70 ERA
Thompson IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

*** The Chukars came back to tie it in the 5th but a Casper rally in the 7th got the Ghosts the win. The Ghosts got 2 doubles and a walk for a run off Aneidy Toribio in the 1st and the Chukars got 2 in scoring position with no out in the 1st but failed to get a run home. IF left the bases loaded in the 3rd and then squandered a triple in the 4th. A triple, error and walk made it 2-0 Casper in the 5th and Nick Francis tied it in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run homer for his 3rd of the season. Colby Beach came in for the 6th and stranded 2 but gave up 2 runs in the 7th on 4 hits and a wild pitch. The Chukars didn't threaten thereafter and Casper RP Kurt Yacko got his 3rd save. Wonder if Yacko has a great curveball.... RP Juan Rodriguez got the win with a perfect inning of work to move to 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA. Starter Matt Baugh worked 5 IP and allowed 2 ER on 8 hits, a walk and 5 Ks to move his ERA to 2.70. SS Carlos Martinez and LF Mike Zuanich had 2 hits each for Casper.

IF is 4-6 and 5 games back. The finale with Casper is tonight with no announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - Burlington: Princeton 7, B-Royals 6

3B Morales 4-4, 2B (2), HR, 4 RBI (5), 2 RS -- .273, first pro homer, very nice game
1B G. De La Cruz 1-5, 2B, RBI, K, RS -- .200, moved from P to position, or just an every now-and-then thing?
RF Caldwell 1-4, RBI (3), SB -- .182
CF H. Richardson 1-5, 2 K -- .257
C S. Perez 0-3, S, E -- .273
DH Moctezuma 1-4, 2B (2), 2 K -- .200

Lehmann 4 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB -- 11.57 ERA
Flanagan 3 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 5 K -- L, 0-1, 1.42 ERA

*** The Rays rallied in the 8th to beat the B-Royals. The Royals got off to a rough start as Mike Lehmann allowed 3 runs in the 1st on 3 hits and 2 walks, including the first pro hit of #1 overall pick SS Tim Beckham. The Royals evened it in the 3rd as Giancarlo De La Cruz hit an RBI double and Jason Morales hit a 2-run single. Lehmann gave up a leadoff triple and RBI single in the 3rd and then a triple and sac fly in the 4th to make it 5-3 Rays. Morales creamed his 1st pro homer in the 5th for a 2-run shot to tie the game and Allen Caldwell singled in Morales in the 8th to give Burlington a 6-5 lead. John Flanagan had allowed 1 hit in 3 IP entering the 8th but gave up a 2-out RBI single to tie it and a Salvador Perez throwing error allowed the lead run to cross the plate, although Caldwell threw out a runner at the plate via the cutoff man to end the rally. The Royals went down in order in the 9th as RP Mike Jarman got the win to move to 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. Starter Kevin Chavez worked 4 innings of 3 ER on 5 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks to move his ERA to 3.00. 2B Elias Otero was 3-3 with his 4th triple and 3 RBI (7) and 2nd SB to move to .341 and Beckham DH'd and was 1-4 with a run scored to set a .250 BA. LF Justin Reynolds also had 2 hits for Princeton.

The B-Royals are 1-8. The series continues tonight with no announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - AZL: off day

*** The Royals lost to the M's in 10 today as AZL play resumed. Ariel Bonilla took the loss.

Royals on the Farm 6/25

AAA - Omaha: off day

*** The O-Royals are off today, too. They start a 4-game set with Oklahoma tomorrow. Apparently, I was erroneous in saying Brandon Duckworth must have lost his starting slot as the team site has him set to pitch game 3 versus the RedHawks.

AA - NW Arkansas: all star break

*** The TL South defeated the North, 7-3, in 10 innings Wednesday. NWA CF Ovandy Suero chipped in 2 errors and was 0-1 with a sac fly and RBI at the plate. 1B Kila Kaaihue was 1-5 with a double, DH Juan Richardson was 1-3 with a walk, RBI and 2 Ks and SS Angel Sanchez was 0-2. Blake Johnson allowed 2 hits with 2 Ks in his inning of work. Dan Cortes didn't pitch and Dusty Hughes was in Omaha so didn't play, either. The Naturals start a 3-game set at the San Antonio Missions (4-2, AA Padres) tonight. Blake Wood pitches for NW Arkansas. The Nats are 2-4 versus San Antonio. Sanchez has been called up to Omaha after hitting .261 in 63 games at AA this season. Ed Lucas was demoted back to NWA after hitting .128 in 16 games at Omaha. P Julio Pimentel has also been chosen to the World roster for this year's All-Star Futures Game in New York.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

*** The second half resumes tonight as the Blue Rocks start a 3-game home set with the Salem Avalanche (2-4, A-Adv. Astros). No announced starters on the team site that I can find.

A - Burlington: Peoria 3, Bees 1

DH C. Robinson 2-3, RBI (26) -- .259
CF Lough 2-4, 2B (12), RS -- .267
2B Giavotella 2-4, K, SB (4) -- .231
3B Moustakas 0-4 -- .236
1B Taylor 0-4, K -- .219
RF Van Stratten 1-3 -- .333

Augustine 6 IP, ER, 4 H, HRA -- 2.04 ERA, no Ks???
Mitchell 3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, K, HRA, pickoff -- L, 5-6, 4.01 ERA

*** Peoria took the lead in the 7th and held on for the 3-1 win. Both teams stranded runners early until Peoria got a solo homer off Joe Augustine in the 4th to take a 1-0 lead. David Lough hit a 2-out double in the bottom of the 4th and Clint Robinson singled him home to tie the game. Matt Mitchell came in for the 7th and gave up a leadoff double and RBI single and the Chiefs got another solo homer in the 9th for an insurance run. The Bees stranded 1 in the 9th as RP Jon Mueller got his 1st save. Starter Hung-Wen Chen got the win with 6 IP of an ER on 5 hits with 2 Ks to improve to 2-4 with a 3.15 ERA. RF Cliff Andersen was 3-4 with his 11th double and 15th RBI to move to .258 and 1B Luis Bautista was 2-4 with his 10th double, 4th homer and 16th RBI to move to .306.

Burlington is 4-3 and 2 games back. The series wraps tonight as Bees SP Dan Gutierrez (1-0, 2.17) takes on Peoria's Kevin Kreier (2-2, 4.66).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Ogden 10, Chukars 2

CF Norris 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (2), K, RS, SB (4) -- .294
3B Jimenez 0-3, BB, RBI (2) -- .324
SS Alfaro 0-4, K -- .350
LF Griffin 1-4, K -- .241
C McCauley 0-3, K, E (3) -- .207
DH Espinosa 1-3, BB, picked off -- .200
2B Molina 1-3, BB, RS, 2 SB (5) -- .320

Raglione 2 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA, WP -- L, 0-1, 6.14 ERA
Carver 1 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 15.00 ERA
Gilgenbach 2 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP -- 7.36 ERA
Novakowski 2 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 4.15 ERA

*** Ogden coasted to the win to take the series finale from the Chukars. Starter Paul Raglione had 2 on with 2 out in the 2nd when Ogden broke through with a 2-run double and a run-scoring wild pitch to take a 3-0 lead. Yeldrys Molina and Patrick Norris pulled off a successful steal of home and second in the 3rd to cut it to 3-1 but the Raptors got a solo homer and greeted RP Jesse Carver with an RBI single in the 3rd to make it 5-1. Carver gave up 3 more runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in the 4th and Ogden added single runs in the 6th and 8th. Idaho Falls' other run came on an RBI forceout by Antonio Jimenez in the 8th. Starter Jon Dutton got the win for Ogden with 5 IP of an ER on 3 hits with 5 walks and 5 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA. Raptors 1B Steven Caseres was 3-5 with his 2nd double and 2 RBI (5) to move to .348 and LF Clay Calfee was 2-3 with 2 walks, his 3rd homer and 2 RBI (6) to move to .360.

IF is 4-5 and 4 games back. A short 2-game set versus the Casper Ghosts (5-4, Rookie Rockies) starts tonight with no announced starters on the team site. The Chukars are 2-4 versus the Ghosts.

Rookie - Burlington: Pulaski 3, B-Royals 1

C Y. Reyes 2-4 -- .400
1B Morales 0-4, RBI, 2 K, E -- .111, first pro RBI
CF H. Richardson 1-3, S, K, RS -- .267
3B F. Cruz 0-3, HBP, K -- .250
LF Caldwell 0-4, K, OF assist at home -- .172
RF Testa 1-2, 2 BB, 2B, SB, E -- .100

Marimon IP, H, K -- 11.57 ERA, left with tight lower back
J. Rodriguez 3 IP, ER, H, BB, 3 K -- L, 0-1, 6.75 ERA
Halliman 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, HRA -- 7.36 ERA
Bryant 1 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 16.20 ERA
Huber 1 2/3 IP, H, 3 K -- 6.75 ERA

*** The Mariners outlasted the Royals to get a win in the series finale. Starter Sugar Ray Marimon was pulled after only 1 inning and Pernell Halliman was brought in with 1 on and 0 out in the 5th and promptly gave up a 2-run homer to spot the M's a 2-0 lead. The Royals loaded the bases off U of Kansas product and Overland Park native Nick Czyz with 0 out in the 6th but only got an RBI forceout from Jason Morales out of the deal. Carson Bryant gave up a run in the 8th to make it 3-1 and the Royals left the tying run at second in the 9th as RP Brandon Pullen picked up the 2-inning save for his 2nd of the season. Pulaski SP Brooks Mohr worked 5 IP of 2 hits, 3 walks and 2 Ks to move to 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA. SS Anthony Phillips and RF Kalian Sams both had 2 hits and Sams was 2-4 with his 1st homer and 2 RBI to move to .133. Phillips stole 2 bases in the game.

Burlington is 1-7. A 3-game set at the Princeton Rays (2-7) starts tonight. Probable starters: B-Royals' Mike Lehmann (0-1, 12.00) vs. Rays SP Kevin Chavez (1-0, 0.00). Non-drafted free agent 1B/DH Josh Vittek has been added to the roster fresh out of Mt. St. Mary's College in Maryland. '08 #1 overall pick SS Tim Beckham and his brother, 17th rounder 2B Jeremy Beckham, are on the Princeton roster, altho Tim is currently listed as on the reserve list. "The Bandit" Burt Reynolds also plays for the Rays, only this one is a 19-year-old third baseman. 9th rounder lefty Shawn Smith also plays for Princeton. Actually, the MiLB site says tonight is Tim Beckham's first pro game, so he'll debut versus Burlington.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 6, Padres 5

C Jacobs 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI, K, RS -- .500, nice season debut
RF Del Rosario 3-3, S, 2B, 2 RS -- .417
LF D. Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI (3), SB -- .333
2B D. Batista 2-4, RS, CS -- .222
1B A. Marte 2-4, CS -- .400
CF Llanos 0-4 -- .214
DH Henriquez 1-4, RBI (2), K, RS -- .071
3B Kuebler 0-3, RS -- .071

Sample IP, ER, H, BB, 2 K -- 9.00 ERA, pro debut
J. Smith IP, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Montgomery IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA, scoreless pro debut
Fortuna 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 10.80 ERA
Hentges 1 2/3 IP, 4 H -- 0.00 ERA
B. Richardson IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 4.50 ERA

*** Two 3-run innings early were enough for the Royals to overcome the Padres. The Padres got an RBI groundout off Tyler Sample in his pro debut in the 1st but the Royals scored 3 in the 2nd on a Nestor Jacobs RBI single and 2-run double by Derek Rodriguez. Edwin Henriquez singled in a run in the 4th and Jacobs answered the call again with a 2-run double to make it 6-1. Carlos Fortuna allowed 2 runs in the 6th and was pulled for Chase Hentges with 2 on and 1 out in the 7th. Hentges let 2 runners in on 2 singles to cut it to 6-5 but he and Brett Richardson finished it off. Pads SP Mauricio Tabachnik took the loss with 3 IP of 6 runs (4 ER) on 8 hits and a K to fall to 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA. Four Pads had 2-hit games.

The Royals are 2-2. They had today off.

Royals on the Farm 6/24

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, New Orleans 4

CF Maier 3-5, 2B (14), RBI (30) -- .302
SS Smith 2-4, HR (17), RBI (48), 2 RS -- .270
2B Matranga 2-4, BB, 2B (5), RBI (21), K, picked off -- .271
3B Dawkins 1-2, BB, SF, RBI (10), RS -- .263
1B Butler 0-4, BB, K -- .337, suddenly slumping
RF Hollins 2-4, RS -- .222
DH Shealy 0-4, 2 K -- .254
C B. Pena 1-5, 2B (2) -- .279
LF Lubanski 1-4, RS -- .244

Wright 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 BB, 3 K, HRA -- W, 3-4, 5.38 ERA, not great line but a win just the same
Salmon 3 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 4.72 ERA
Duckworth 2/3 IP, H, BB -- SV, 1, 4.78 ERA

*** Omaha went into a short break on a 6-game roll after sweeping the Zephyrs. The Royals jumped ahead in the 3rd with 3 runs as two Zephyr errors helped load the bases with no outs and Dave Matranga and Mitch Maier singled runs home before a Brayan Pena double play ball brought home the third run. Matt Wright stranded 2 in the 3rd and Jason Smith hit his 17th homer in the 4th to make it 4-0 Omaha. Wright gave up a 2-run homer and an RBI single in the bottom of the 4th but stranded 2 to hold a 4-3 lead. The Royals left the bases full in the 5th but a Gookie Dawkins sac fly in the 6th made it 5-3. Brad Salmon left 2 in scoring position in the 7th and was pulled with 2 on and 1 out in the 9th. Brandon Duckworth, who lost his rotation slot with Carlos Rosa's return and Dusty Hughes' promotion, gave up an RBI single and a walk but left the tying runner at third to pick up his 1st save. Zephyrs SP Willie Collazo took the loss with 5 IP of 4 runs (1 ER) on 7 hits, 2 walks and a K to drop to 4-5 with a 3.83 ERA. CF Jesus Feliciano was 2-2 with 3 walks and his 36th RBI to move to .303 and 1B Michel Abreu had 2 RBI to get to 30 on the season.

Omaha is 39-38 and on a 6 game win streak but still 5 games back of first. The O-Royals have 2 days off and get back into action Friday. RP Yaz Yabuta is Omaha bound as he was the 25-man casualty from the Robinson Tejeda pickup. He could use a change of scenery. Omaha finished the lengthy CWS road trip with a 10-6 record.

AA - NW Arkansas: all-star break

*** The all-star game is tonight and the Naturals get back into action tomorrow. Six Nats were playing for the TL North all-stars.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

*** The Carolina League beat the California League, 3-1. Joe Dickerson led off for the Carolina League and was 1-2 with a run scored. Both Tyler Chambliss and Everett Teaford pitched a scoreless inning of relief. The Blue Rocks get back into action Thursday.

A - Burlington: Peoria 5, Bees 4

DH Martin 2-4, RBI (15), 2 K -- .345
RF Van Stratten 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (6), CS (2) -- .333
C Eigsti 1-3, HR (6), RBI (17), 2 K, RS -- .221
3B Moustakas 1-4, 2B (12), K, RS -- .239
CF Ortiz 0-4, 2 K -- .300
2B Giavotella 0-3, BB, K, SB (3) -- .200
1B Taylor 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .223

Caldera 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- L, 5-6, 3.53 ERA
Baldwin 2 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- 2.45 ERA
Z. Peterson 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- 3.83 ERA

*** Peoria built a 4-1 lead and the Bees couldn't come back. Nick Van Stratten hit an RBI single in the 2nd to give the Bees a 1-0 lead but starter Alex Caldera couldn't hold the lead as the Chiefs tied it in the 3rd and took the lead with a run in the 4th. He loaded the bases with no outs in the 5th and Peoria pushed across 2 runs to make it 4-1. Mike Moustakas led off the 7th with a double and scored on a Kyle Martin single, and Van Stratten drove in a run with a groundout to cut the lead to 4-3. Zach Peterson gave up an insurance run in the 8th and the Chiefs needed it as Ryan Eigsti hit his 6th homer for a solo shot in the 8th. The Bees stranded 1 in the 9th as Stephen Vento got his 8th save for Peoria. Starter Dae-Eun Rhee got the win with 6 IP of an ER on 2 hits, a walk and 7 Ks to move to 4-1 with a 1.22 ERA. Four Chiefs had 2-hit games as LF Brandon Guyer also chipped in 2 RBI and his 7th SB.

The Bees fell to 4-2 and lost again today as Matt Mitchell was hung with the L.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 7, Ogden 4 (12)

CF Norris 2-5, BB, 2 K, 3 RS, SB (3) -- .281
SS Alfaro 1-5, BB, 2B (2), 3 RBI (6), K, RS, 2 E (3) -- .438
LF A. Perez 1-6, 2B (2), 3 RBI (9), K, SB (2) -- .258
RF Francis 0-5, K -- .297
C McCauley 1-5, K, E (2), PB (4) -- .231
1B Espinosa 1-5, K -- .185
2B F. Garcia 1-3, S, BB, 2 RS, 2 SB (3) -- .292

Hodgson 4 IP, 3 UER, 3 H, 2 BB, 8 K, WP -- 2.00 ERA
Saito 1 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- 3.86 ERA
Thompson 1 2/3 IP, BB, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA, think that was his pro debut
Foster 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 4.50 ERA
B. Hardy 3 IP, BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 6.00 ERA, first pro victory

*** Idaho Falls scored twice in the 8th to force extras and won with a nice rally in the 12th. Ogden jumped ahead with a run in the 3rd as an error, wild pitch and passed ball helped contribute. Ogden added 2 in the 4th off Ivor Hodgson thanks in part to another error and the Chukars were being shut out on 2 hits into the 6th. Fernando Garcia led off the Chukar 6th with a single, stole 2 bases and scored along with Patrick Norris on an Ogden error. Derrick Saito served up a solo homer in the 6th but Idaho Falls tied it in the 8th on a 2-run double by Alwin Perez. The Chukars loaded the bases with no outs in the 12th and J.D. Alfaro ripped a bases-clearing double but was thrown out at third on the play getting greedy. Blaine Hardy pitched 3 hitless innings for his first pro win. RP Brandon Tuten took the loss with an IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 3 hits and a K to fall to 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA. Starter Robert Boothe went 6 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits, a walk and 5 Ks to move his ERA to 4.09. LF Elian Herrera and SS Devaris Strange-Gordon both had 2 hits.

IF is 4-4 and 3 games back. The series concludes tonight as Paul Raglione got the start for Idaho Falls.

Rookie - Burlington: Pulaski 4, B-Royals 3

CF H. Richardson 1-4, RBI (3), K -- .259
C S. Perez 1-3, RBI (4), RS, 2 PB -- .316
SS J. Gutierrez 1-3, RBI (2) -- .222
3B F. Cruz 1-4, 2B (2), 2 K, RS -- .280
1B Morales 0-3, BB -- .143
RF Caldwell 0-3, K -- .200

Garrido 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 1.04 ERA
G. De La Cruz 3 IP, ER, H, BB, 2 K -- 6.43 ERA
M. Baez IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, K, HRA -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA

*** Manauris Baez blew his 1st save in the 9th and Pulaski dropped the B-Royals to another loss. Neither team had a hit until the 4th and the Royals got their first one when Angel Franco led off the bottom of the inning with a single. He later scored on a Hilton Richardson groundout and Fernando Cruz doubled and scored on a Salvador Perez single to make it 2-0 B-Royals. Jeorge Gutierrez singled home a run in the 7th but Jason Morales was thrown out at home on the play and that ended up making a difference. Pulaski got a run back in the 8th to go into the 9th down, 3-1. Baez gave up a 1-out walk in the 9th and 2 passed balls on Perez put the runner at third. A single cut the lead to 1 and then Baez served up a 2-run homer to 1B Kris Sanchez for his 1st of the season to give the M's a 4-3 lead. Jeff Dunbar pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save. RP Stephen Penney got the win with a perfect 8th to move to 1-0. Starter Jose Jimenez went 5 IP and allowed 2 ER on 3 hits with 4 Ks to move his ERA to 1.80. 3B Mario Martinez was 2-4 with his 6th RBI and 2nd error to move to .455.

Burlington dropped to 1-6 and lost again tonight as Jacob Rodriguez took the loss.

Rookie - AZL: A's 6, Royals 3

C J. Bonilla 3-4, 2B (2), HR (2), RBI (2), K, 2 RS -- .545
CF Llanos 1-4, RBI (2), K -- .300
3B Kuebler 1-4, K -- .091, think that's his first pro hit
* 1B Edwin Henriquez made 2 errors.

Cuevas 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 3 WP, E, pickoff -- L, 0-1, 10.80 ERA
Sirrett 3 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- 2.45 ERA
Feickert IP, H -- 0.00 ERA

*** In 103-degree heat, the Royals fell to the A's. Starter Gary Cuevas worked around a leadoff triple in the 1st and picked off a runner to end the 3rd and keep the A's off the board. The Royals loaded the bases with no outs in the 4th and got a run-scoring double play from James Nilsen to take a 1-0 lead. Cuevas got touched up big time in the bottom of the 4th as the A's scored 4 runs on 4 hits, a walk and 3 wild pitches to chase Cuevas from the game. Jose Bonilla hit his 2nd homer to lead off the 5th and Alex Llanos hit an RBI single in the 7th to cut it to 4-3. The A's got a 2-run homer off Onassis Sirrett in the bottom of the 7th to put it away, tho, and Jonathan Joseph pitched a perfect 9th for his 1st save. RP Anvioris Ramirez got the win with 3 IP of 2 ER on 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA. Starter Jose Garcia worked 3 innings of a hit and 3 Ks to keep a spotless ERA. Three A's had 2 hits as 2B Yunior Rodriguez had 2 doubles.

The Royals dropped to 1-2 with the loss but bounced back to beat the Pads today as Jace Smith got the win.

Royals on the Farm 6/23

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, New Orleans 2 (10)

RF Costa 2-5, 2 2B (19), RBI (38) -- .303
1B Shealy 2-4, K -- .259
3B Dawkins 1-4, 2B (3), RBI (9) -- .255
CF Maier 1-4, S, RBI (29) -- .295
C B. Pena 0-3, 2 BB, 2 SB -- .289
DH Butler 0-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .351
LF Lubanski 0-4, K -- .244

Colon 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 HRA -- 4.58 ERA, 70 pitches, not bad start
Musser 4 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- W, 2-4, 3.48 ERA

*** Shane Costa had the big hit in the 10th as the Royals set up a chance to sweep the Zephyrs. Starter Roman Colon stranded 2 in the 2nd and Mitch Maier singled home a run in the 3rd to give Omaha the lead. Colon didn't get past the first batter in the Zephyr 3rd with the lead as a leadoff homer tied the game. Gookie Dawkins hit a 2-out RBI double in the 4th and this time Colon held the lead into the 6th before serving up a game-tying solo homer. Neal Musser left 2 in scoring position in the 7th and Omaha left the go-ahead run at third in the 9th. With a runner at second and 1 out in the top of the 10th, Costa stepped up with a double to drive home Dave Matranga and make it 3-2 Omaha. C Brayan Pena caught a runner stealing in the bottom of the inning to help Musser lock down the win. Zephyrs RP Carlos Muniz took the loss with 2 IP of an ER on 2 hits and a walk to drop to 2-4 with a 3.18 ERA. Starter Tony Armas Jr. went 6 IP and allowed 2 ER on 5 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to move his ERA to 2.50. RF Raul Gonzalez was 2-4 to move to .340.

Omaha is 38-38 and got the sweep today in the finale. Matt Wright started for Omaha. KC has picked up righty Robinson Tejeda off waivers from the Rangers and have shuffled John Bale to the 60-day DL to make room for him on the 40-man. RP Joel Peralta has also been summoned back to KC as Jeff Fulchino gets shipped back to Omaha.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 8, Arkansas 1

SS Lisson 4-4, 2B (11), HR (6), 2 RBI (29), 2 RS -- .224
1B Kaaihue 3-3, BB, HR (17), 2 RBI (47), 2 RS, SB (3) -- .284
LF Suero 2-4, RS -- .277
2B Maddox 1-4, 2 RBI (15), RS -- .282
C Clark 1-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI (8) -- .208
CF Duarte 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS, picked off -- .247

Cortes 4 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K -- 3.48 ERA, 75 pitches
Nicoll 3 2/3 IP, H, 2 K -- W, 1-1, 4.76 ERA, very nice game
Hayes 1 1/3 IP, nothing -- 2.43 ERA, ditto

*** Three Naturals pitchers held the Travs to 3 hits after the 1st as NWA broke out the bats for the first time in a while to drub Arkansas and split the 4-game set. A 2-out walk and RBI double off Dan Cortes in the 1st spotted the Travs a 1-0 lead. Cortes stranded 2 in scoring position in the 2nd and the Nats left the bases full in their half. NW Arkansas got on the board in a big way with a 4-run 4th on a Kila Kaaihue RBI single, 2-run single by Marc Maddox and an RBI double off the bat of Mario Lisson. Kaaihue led off the 5th with his 17th homer of the season and Cody Clark hit a 2-out, 2-run double to make it 7-1 NWA. Lisson added a solo homer in the 7th for his 6th of the season and Chris Hayes stranded a runner in the 9th to end it. Arkansas SP Brok Butcher took the loss with 5 IP of 7 ER on 12 hits and 2 walks with 3 Ks to drop to 4-4 with a 5.40 ERA. Four Travs had a hit each and 1B Ben Johnson notched his 14th double and 62nd RBI.

NWA is now 2-4 and 2 1/2 games back. The 2-day all-star break begins today.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

*** The game is tomorrow night with three Rocks representing Wilmington -- OF Joe Dickerson and Ps Everett Teaford and Tyler Chambliss.

A - Burlington: Bees 4, Peoria 1

CF Ortiz 3-4, 3B (6), SB (25), 2 RS -- .304
2B Giavotella 1-4, 2 RBI, SB (2) -- .219, first pro RBI
3B Moustakas 0-3, SF, RBI (37) -- .239
1B Taylor 1-4, K, CS (8) -- .226
DH C. Robinson 0-3, K -- .253

Duffy 7 IP, 4 H, 8 K -- W, 3-3, 3.67 ERA, another dominant start
Abreu 2 IP, ER, H, 4 K, HRA -- SV, 3, 4.18 ERA

*** Dan Duffy handcuffed the Chiefs to lead Burlington to another win. Duffy stranded 2 in the 1st but then retired 19 of 21 through 7. Adrian Ortiz got the Bees started on a hit that scored a run thanks to a Peoria error in the 3rd and Johnny Giavotella followed with a 2-run single to make it 3-0 Bees. Juan Abreu lost the shutout by serving up a solo homer to the first batter he faced in the 8th but Ortiz tripled and scored on a Mike Moustakas sac fly in the 8th to make it 4-1 and Abreu pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save. Peoria starter Audy Santana took the loss with 4 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 4 hits, a walk and 2 Ks to fall to 0-4 with a 3.72 ERA. 3B Marquez Smith and C Josh Donaldson had 2-hit games for Peoria and Donaldson clubbed his 12th double and 6th HR with his 19th RBI. Only 1 other Chief had a hit than those 2.

The Bees are 4-1 and a game back of Beloit. The series continues tonight. Peoria sends SP Dae-Eun Rhee (3-1, 1.16) to the hill to face Bees SP Alex Caldera (5-5, 3.31 ERA).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 10, Ogden 8 (10)

C McCauley 3-5, HBP, 2B, RBI (2), K, RS, PB (3) -- .238
3B Jimenez 3-6, 2B, 2 K, RS, E -- .400
2B F. Garcia 2-5, 2B (2), 3 RBI (4), K, SB, picked off, E (2) -- .286
RF Francis 2-6, 3 RBI (10), K, SB, E -- .344
LF Griffin 2-4, BB, SF, 2 RBI (4), 2 RS, OF assist at third -- .240
SS Molina 2-5, 2B (3), RS, 2 SB -- .286
CF Norris 1-4, 2 BB, 2 RS, SB (2) -- .259
1B Espinosa 0-4, RS, E (2) -- .182
* The Chukars stranded 12 and 5 IF errors led to 5 unearned Ogden runs.

Cota 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 3 K, pickoff -- 5.40 ERA
Miller 2 1/3 IP, UER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 2.70 ERA
Gilgenbach IP, 2 UER, H, BB, K -- 10.80 ERA
J. Garcia 3 IP, 2 UER, H, 2 K, HRA -- BS, 1, W, 2-0, 1.50 ERA

*** Ogden scored 5 late runs to force extras but Nick Francis came up with some more heroics in the 10th to get the Chukars the W. Starter Luis Cota allowed a run on 2 hits and a walk in the 1st but left the bases full and the Chukars responded with a run in the 2nd on a Fernando Garcia RBI single after Sean McCauley led off with a double. Ogden got a triple and run-scoring IF error in the bottom of the 2nd but Shawn Griffin hit a sac fly in the 3rd to tie it and Francis followed with a 2-run single to make it 4-2 IF. The Chukars left the bases full again in the 4th and Cota gave up a run in the bottom of the frame before getting pulled with 2 on and 2 out. Garcia doubled home 2 runs in the 5th and Griffin and McCauley hit RBI singles in the 6th to make it 8-3 Chukars. Ogden got a single that turned into a roundtripper in the bottom of the 6th thanks to 2 Chukar errors on the play and another error helped lead to 2 Ogden runs in the 7th to cut it to 8-6. Justin Garcia came in to pitch the 8th and gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to tie it. With 1 out and 2 on in the 10th, Francis stepped up and hit an RBI single that scored 2 runs thanks in part to an interference error on Ogden. Garcia retired the next 7 batters after giving up the game-tying homer to finish the game. RP Jon Michael Redding took the loss for the Raptors with 1 1/3 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on 4 hits and a walk to drop to 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA. Starter Mike Watt lasted only 2 1/3 IP and allowed 4 runs (2 ER) on 4 hits, a walk and K to move his ERA to 12.46. Two Raptors had 2-hit games including 1B Steven Caseres, who was 2-5 with 2 RBI to move to .333. RF Kyle Russell also had the game-tying homer in the 8th for his 2nd career HR and 2 RBI (6) in dropping to .391.

IF is 3-4 and 3 1/2 games back. Game 2 at the Raptors is tonight as Chukars SP Ivor Hodgson (0-1, 3.60) takes on Ogden's Robert Boothe (0-0, 7.20).

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 6, Pulaski 1

DH Caldwell 2-4, 2 2B, RBI (2), K, RS -- .227
3B F. Cruz 2-3, BB, 2B, K, 2 RS -- .286
SS J. Gutierrez 1-3, RBI -- .167
RF Testa 0-2, BB, RBI, K, RS -- .000
2B A. Franco 0-4, RBI, K -- .250
CF H. Richardson 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .261
C S. Perez 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .313
1B Morales 1-3, BB, 2B, RS -- .182

Herrera 6 IP, 2 H, 6 K -- W, 1-0, 0.82 ERA, verrrrrry nice
Roq. Colon 2 IP, ER, 3 H, K, HRA -- 6.75 ERA
Bowden IP, K -- 0.00 ERA, pro debut

*** The Royals finally scored some runs and got good pitching at the same time to get their first win of the season. Starter Kelvin Herrera struck out the side in the 1st and Fernando Cruz and Allen Caldwell hit back-to-back doubles in the 2nd to give Burlington a 1-0 lead. The Royals broke it open in the 4th with 5 runs on a Pulaski error, bases loaded walk by Carlo Testa, RBI single by Jeorge Gutierrez and an RBI single by Angel Franco that turned into 2 runs thanks to another Mariner error. Herrera faced the minimum over his 6 IP and Roque Colon lost the shutout by giving up a solo homer in the 7th but he and Barry Bowden finished it off. Mariners SP Kyle Haas allowed 6 runs (5 ER) on 2 hits with 4 walks and 4 Ks over 3 1/3 IP to fall to 0-1 with a 10.57 ERA. CF Dwight Britton supplied the M's only run on his 1st homer of the season.

Burlington is in the W column now at 1-5. The series continues tonight with no announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 7, Cubs 5

2B Nilsen 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, RS, CS, E -- .500, nice pro debut for NDFA
C Bonilla 2-4, 2B, HR, RBI, K, RS -- .429
CF Llanos 1-3, BB, 2B, RBI, 2 RS -- .333, first pro ribbie
RF Del Rosario 1-3, BB, RBI, OF assist at third -- .200
1B A. Marte 1-3, BB, RBI, RS, E -- .333
DH Henriquez 0-3, HBP, RBI, K -- .000
3B Kuebler 0-4, K, E -- .000

L. Perez 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 5 BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- 2.25 ERA
A. Bonilla 3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 3.00 ERA
B. Richardson IP, ER, H, BB -- W, 1-0, 9.00 ERA
Ruhlman perfect IP -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

*** The Royals almost let an early 3-run lead slip away but came back late to get past the Cubs. The first 4 Royal batters drew walks as Alexis Marte's pushed a run home and Edwin Henriquez took a bases-loaded HBP to make it 2-0 Royals and chase starter Chris Huseby from the game. The Royals left the bases full and the Cubs got a run back in the 2nd thanks to 2 wild pitches by Royals starter Leondy Perez. Astin Jacobo led off the Royals 2nd with a triple and scored on an Alex Llanos double before a Luis Del Rosario groundout scored Llanos to make it 4-1 Royals. The Cubs got a run in the 4th and another in the 5th to whittle the lead down to 1 but left the bases loaded in the 5th. The Cubs tied it in the 7th off P Ariel Bonilla and got a 2-out RBI double in the 8th off Brett Richardson to take a 5-4 lead. With 2 out and 1 on in the Royals 8th, James Nilsen clubbed his 1st pro homer to put the Royals on top and Jose Bonilla followed with his 1st homer of the season to make it 7-5. Josh Ruhlman pitched a perfect 9th for his 1st save. RP Oswaldo Martinez took the loss for the Cubs with an IP of 3 ER on 3 hits to fall to 0-1 with a 27.00 ERA. Huseby allowed 2 ER on 4 walks without recording an out to set an infinite ERA. Six different Cubs had a hit each.

The Royals moved to 1-1. They lost this morning's game to the A's as Gary Cuevas took the loss.

Royals on the Farm 6/22

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, New Orleans 0

SS Smith 2-4, 2 RS -- .270
3B Dawkins 1-3, SF, 2 RBI (8) -- .255
RF Costa 1-4, RBI (37), K, SB (8) -- .301
DH Butler 0-4 -- .366
CF Maier 0-4 -- .296
1B Stodolka 1-3, K, RS -- .230

D. Hughes 6 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, what a first AAA start....
Lowery 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- SV, 3, 1.73 ERA

*** Dusty Hughes pitched lights out in his first AAA start and Omaha scraped together 3 runs for the win. Neither team had a hit until New Orleans got a leadoff double in the 5th. Mike Stodolka broke Omaha's hitless string in the 6th with a single and a 2-out Zephyrs error was followed by a Shane Costa RBI single to make it 1-0 Omaha. Omaha left 2 in scoring position in the 6th but a New Orleans error helped load the bases in the 7th and a Gookie Dawkins sac fly made it 2-0 before Omaha stranded 2. Devon Lowery relieved Hughes in the 7th and left the bases loaded. Dawkins singled in another run in the 9th but was thrown out at second to end the rally and Lowery pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save. Zephyrs SP Nelson Figueroa went 7 IP but allowed 2 runs (1 ER) on 4 hits with 4 Ks to fall to 3-2 with a 2.89 ERA. Five different Zephyrs had a hit each.

Omaha moved to 37-38. The series continued tonight with yet another O-Royals win as they finally got back to .500. Neal Musser got the win. Horacio Ramirez got called up to KC as Carlos Rosa was sent back down to Omaha.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 2, Arkansas 1 (11)

3B Lisson 2-4, RS -- .211
2B Maddox 1-5, RBI (13), 2 K -- .282
C Donachie 0-4, RBI (15), 2 K -- .213
CF Duarte 1-4, BB, SB (16), OF assist at second -- .247
SS Sanchez 1-3, BB, S -- .261
DH Kaaihue 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (4), SB (2), CS (2) -- .272
* The Nats turned 4 double plays and Ovandy Suero stole 2 bases to get to 32 on the season. NWA stranded 10.

B. Johnson 5 IP, ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, E (2) -- 4.14 ERA
Atencio 3 IP, 4 K -- 4.72 ERA
Crist 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 3-0, 4.19 ERA

*** The Naturals got their first elusive win in a while as Blake Johnson had a decent start and the bullpen pitched well for the win. NWA stranded 2 in scoring position in the 1st and an Adam Donachie groundout in the 2nd pushed in the 1st run to make it 1-0 Nats. Johnson somehow sidestepped 2 doubles in the 4th as Jose Duarte doubled a man off second to kill the rally. Arkansas tied it in the 5th on 3 hits although the Naturals threw out a runner at the plate in the inning. The game went into the bottom of the 11th tied at 1 as Angel Sanchez led off with a single and pinch runner Ovandy Suero stole 2 bases before Marc Maddox hit a walkoff single to end it. Travs RP Stephen Marek took the loss with 2 IP of an ER on 2 hits and 2 Ks to fall to 2-5 with a 3.00 ERA. Starter Fernando Rodriguez went 6 IP and allowed an ER on 5 hits and 3 walks with 4 Ks to drop his ERA to 5.15. Three Travs had 2-hit games as 1B Brian Stavisky was 2-4 with a walk, his 9th double and 6th SB to move to .367.

NWA moved to 1-4 after finally snapping the skid. The Nats won again in easier fashion tonight as Chris Nicoll picked up the win. Pitcher Paul Mildren is getting demoted to Wilmington with lefty Gilbert de la Vara getting moved up to AA.

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

SS McConnell 3-5, 2B (22), RBI (19), picked off -- .284
RF Dickerson 2-5, RBI (43) -- .316
2B Mertins 2-2, HBP, BB, SB (14), E (10) -- .289
LF Dyson 2-3, BB, 2B (5), 2 RS, SB (27), CS (8), OF assist at second -- .251
CF D. Robinson 0-5, K -- .251
DH Bianchi 0-4, 2 K -- .242
3B J. Johnson 0-3, BB, RBI (21) -- .267

de la Vara 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K -- 3.65 ERA
Holland IP, UER, H, WP -- 3.80 ERA
Hartsock 3 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- 4.30 ERA
Barrera IP, 2 R (1 ER), H, BB, K, WP -- BS, 1, L, 0-2, 2.78 ERA

*** Wilmington took the lead in the 8th but just as quickly lost it in the bottom of the inning to go into the all-star break on a sustained down note. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 2nd but Joe Dickerson hit a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to make it 1-0 Rocks. The Warthogs evened it with a run on 3 hits in the bottom of the inning but the Rocks nailed a runner at third to end the rally. Winston-Salem took the lead in the 4th but Jarrod Dyson threw out a runner at second to again end a Warthog rally. He led off the Rocks 5th with a double and scored on a Chris McConnell single to tie the game at 2. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 6th and Josh Johnson hit an RBI groundout in the 8th to make it 3-2 Rocks. Henry Barrera came in to pitch the 8th and gave up a leadoff double, hit batsman, and a Jeff Howell error to load the bases with no outs. A wild pitch brought the tying run in and a sac fly gave the Warthogs a 4-3 lead. Dyson walked to lead off the 9th but was caught stealing and a 2-out Chris McConnell double went for naught as Kanekoa Texeira notched his 15th save. RP Jake Rasner got the win with 3 IP of an ER on 3 hits, a walk and 2 Ks to move to 3-3 with a 3.06 ERA. Starter Matt Long went 5 IP and allowed 2 ER on 7 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to move his ERA to 5.18. DH C.J. Lang was 2-3 with his 10th double and a run scored to move to .246.

Wilmington is 1-5 and 4 games back. The all-star break began today.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 4, Bees 3 (10)

1B-3B Taylor 2-3, 2 BB, RS, SB (26) -- .225
CF Ortiz 2-5, SB (24) -- .298
LF Lough 1-4, 3B (7), RBI (29), RS -- .263
3B-SS Moustakas 1-5, E (16) -- .242
PH C. Robinson 1-1, HR (8), RBI (25), RS -- .257
2B Evangelho 1-3, RBI (8), K -- .221
DH Giavotella 1-5, K -- .214
SS-2B J. Rivera 0-4, E (3) -- .239, batting average heading south quickly

Paulino 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, 4 K -- 3.84 ERA
Bradley 2 IP, H, 5 K -- 1.23 ERA
Chavez 2 2/3 IP, UER, 4 H, 5 K, WP -- L, 6-1, 2.53 ERA, tough loss

*** The Bees finally dropped a game in the second half as the Rattlers salvaged the series finale. Adrian Ortiz was thrown out at home in the 1st and the Bees stranded 2. The Bees also nailed a Rattler at home in the 1st and Wisconsin also stranded 2. Mike Moustakas made his 16th error in the 3rd and it led to a sac fly as Wisconsin took a 1-0 lead. David Lough tied it with an RBI triple in the 4th and Zach Evangelho cracked a 2-out RBI single to make it 2-1 Bees. Starter Eduardo Paulino got nicked again in the 5th with 2 runs on 3 hits and a hit batsman to give the Rattlers a 3-2 lead. Burlington stranded 2 in the 8th but Clint Robinson kept the Bees alive with a pinch-hit homer in the 9th to tie it. Chris Chavez gave up a leadoff triple in the bottom of the 9th but got out of the jam. A single and catcher interference call on Ryan Eigsti were followed by a walkoff single in the 10th to end it with a Rattlers victory. RP Justin Souza got the win with 1 1/3 IP of a hit and K to move to 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA. Starter Juan Ramirez went 8 2/3 IP of 3 ER on 8 hits and 2 walks with 4 Ks to move his ERA to 3.91. 2B Edilio Colina was 3-5 with his 27th RBI and run scored to move to .301. Two other Rattlers had 2-hit games, including a 2-4 day from SS Juan Diaz, who had 2 RBI (26) in moving to .243.

The Bees moved to 3-1. They got back on the winning track today in the first of 4 home games versus the Peoria Chiefs (0-4, A Cubs). Dan Duffy got the W. The Bees came in 3-3 versus the Chiefs.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 5, Casper 2

RF Francis 2-4, 3B (2), HR (2), 2 RBI (7), K, 2 RS -- .346
CF Norris 1-1, RBI (2), RS -- .261
2B F. Garcia 1-4, HR, RBI, K, RS -- .250
C Billick 0-3, SF, RBI -- .000
CF-LF Griffin 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .190
1B Espinosa 0-3, 2 K -- .222
* SS Yeldrys Molina had 2 errors.

Casey 6 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 0.90 ERA
Morgan 2 1/3 IP, UER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 1.69 ERA
Rada 2/3 IP, H, K -- SV, 1, 4.91 ERA

*** The Chukars finally snagged another victory as they scored 2 in the 1st and didn't look back. Shawn Griffin drew a 2-out walk in the 1st and Nick Francis followed with a 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season. The score stayed 2-0 into the 6th when Fernando Garcia cranked a leadoff homer for his 1st of the season to make it 3-0 Chukars. Bryan Casey cruised into the 6th but served up a solo homer to lose the shutout. Francis tripled and scored on a Patrick Norris single in the 9th and Joe Billick added a sac fly to make it 5-1. Orlando Rada came in with 2 on and 1 out in the 9th and gave up a 2-out RBI double before closing the door on his 1st save. Casper starter Jeff Fischer took the loss with 6 IP of 3 ER on 3 hits and 2 walks with 8 Ks to fall to 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA. CF James Sims was 2-5 with his 2nd double and 5th RBI to move to .448.

Idaho Falls moved to 2-4. The Chukars kept the winning going tonight in the opener with the Ogden Raptors (0-6, Rookie Dodgers). Justin Garcia got the win. LA's top pick at Ogden is 3rd round pick OF Kyle Russell. 5th rounder righty Jon Michael Redding is also at Ogden and took the loss Monday.

Rookie - Burlington: rainout

*** The finale with Bristol was postponed indefinitely. The B-Royals started a 3-game home set versus the Pulaski Mariners (4-2) tonight and got their first win of the season. Kelvin Herrera got the win.

Rookie - AZL: Rangers 3, Royals 2

LF D. Rodriguez 1-1, RBI, RS -- 1.000
CF Llanos 1-3, BB, K -- .333
DH Kuebler 0-3 -- .000
C J. Bonilla 1-3, K, RS, PB -- .333

D. De La Cruz 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 6 K, WP -- 3.60 ERA
Hamulack 1 2/3 IP, ER, H, 2 K, WP -- L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA, rehabbing
Hodge 1 1/3 IP, 2 BB, WP -- 0.00 ERA

*** The Royals took a 2-0 lead but watched the Rangers whittle away for a win in the season opener. The lead came on 2 runs in the 3rd on a Derek Rodriguez RBI single and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt that allowed Rodriguez to score. Starter Deybi De La Cruz gave up an RBI triple in the bottom of the 3rd and another run on 2 hits in the 5th to tie the game. Tim Hamulack came in for the 6th and gave up a hit, wild pitch and sac fly in the 7th to give the Rangers the 3-2 lead. Alex Llanos led off the 9th with a single but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double and that was it for the Royals. Rangers reliever Joe Ortiz got his 1st save and RP Kyle O'Campo got the win with 3 IP of 3 Ks to move to 1-0. Starter Ben Henry allowed 2 unearned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks with 5 Ks to keep a 0.00 ERA. Five different Rangers had a hit each and the Rangers made 4 errors. C Leonel De Los Santos was 1-3 with a walk, triple and RBI to set a .333 BA.

The Royals got off to an 0-1 start but got a win today versus the Cubs. 34th rounder righty Brett Richardson got the win.

Royals on the Farm 6/21

NOTE: To lend an explanation to the irregular post times, I'm moving, which is as expected an arduous task, even though it's only a short distance of a dozen miles or so. So please bear with me for the next week or so until I'm more settled in the new house, but I'll continue to post reports as I can.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 8, New Orleans 3

1B Butler 3-5, 2B (6), RBI (13), RS -- .382
DH Shealy 3-5, RS -- .254
LF Hollins 1-4, HR (8), 2 RBI (28), 2 K, RS -- .215
C B. Pena 2-5, RBI (3), 2 RS -- .314
3B Dawkins 2-4, RBI (6), E -- .250
RF Costa 1-3, S, BB, 2B (17), RBI (36), K, RS -- .302
SS Smith 1-3, SF, 2B (14), RBI (47), K, RS, E (12) -- .267
CF Maier 1-5, 2B (13), RS -- .301

Lumsden 5 IP, ER, 4 H, 4 BB, WP -- W, 3-7, 6.53 ERA, even in a good start he still gives you something to pick at....4 BB/0 K
Salmon 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 4.86 ERA
Peralta 1 1/3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 2, 0.00 ERA

*** The O-Royals never trailed as Tyler Lumsden had perhaps his best start of the year, at least his best start in recent time, and Omaha took the opener from the Zephyrs. Jason Smith hit a sac fly and Damon Hollins followed with a 2-run homer in the 2nd for his 8th homer of the season to make it 3-0 Omaha. Ryan Shealy singled home a run in the 3rd and Lumsden took a 1-hit shutout into the 5th before giving up a run on 3 hits and stranding 2. Gookie Dawkins hit an RBI forceout in the 6th but Brad Salmon gave up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk to cut into the lead, although he got a bases-loaded double play to escape further trouble. Joel Peralta bailed Salmon out of a bases-loaded jam in the 8th and Omaha put it away in the 9th on a Shane Costa RBI double, Brayan Pena RBI single and Billy Butler RBI double to make it 8-3. Peralta pitched a perfect 9th for his 2nd save. Zephyrs starter Brian Stokes took the loss with 6 IP of 5 ER on 8 hits, 2 walks and 5 Ks to fall to 7-6 with a 4.23 ERA. RF John Rodriguez was 3-4 with his 8th RBI and an OF assist at first to improve to .303. C Gustavo Molina also had a 2-hit game for New Orleans.

Omaha is 36-38 and 6 games back. The series continues today as Dusty Hughes makes his Omaha debut vs. Zephyrs SP Nelson Figueroa (3-1, 3.18). It'll be interesting to see how Hughes fares in AAA. Could be a dark horse prospect, even though after last year it wouldn't be an absolute surprise to see him succeed.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 9, Naturals 4

2B Maddox 1-4, 2 RBI (12) -- .284
3B Lisson 1-3, BB, RBI (27), K, E (11) -- .206
RF Falu 0-4, RBI (16), K, RS -- .260
CF Duarte 1-3, BB -- .247
SS Sanchez 0-3, S, K -- .261
1B Kaaihue 0-3, BB, K, RS, E (5) -- .271

Hardy 5 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, BB, 3 K, 2 HRA, WP, pickoff -- L, 3-6, 4.73 ERA
Plummer 2 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, 4.76 ERA
C. Hayes IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB -- 2.54 ERA

*** The Naturals had the lead for 2 1/2 innings but Arkansas came back big time on starter Rowdy Hardy to drop NWA once again. Hardy gave up a leadoff homer in the 2nd to spot the Travelers a lead but NW Arkansas responded with 4 runs in the 3rd on an Irving Falu RBI fielder's choice, a 2-run single by Marc Maddox and an RBI single by Mario Lisson. Hardy gave up a 2-run homer in the 5th and the Travelers took over in the 6th as Hardy was pulled with the bases loaded and 1 out and Jarod Plummer let 4 runs in on 2 walks and a 2-run single. Travs starter Robert Mosebach retired the last 13 batters he faced and the Nats didn't have a hit after the 3rd. Chris Hayes gave up 2 runs in the 9th to help Arkansas put it on ice. Mosebach got the win with 7 IP of 4 ER on 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 Ks to move to 6-5 with a 4.20 ERA. 1B Brian Stavisky was 3-5 with his 8th double and a run scored to move to .360 and 3 other Travs had 2-hit games.

NWA is 0-4 and on a 6-game skid. The series continues this afternoon as Arkansas SP Fernando Rodriguez (5-4, 5.42) faces Naturals starter Blake Johnson (5-6, 4.29).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Winston-Salem 10, Blue Rocks 8

SS McConnell 3-5, 2 2B (21), RBI (18), 2 RS -- .278
2B Bianchi 2-5, 3B (4), HR (6), 2 RBI (32), K, 2 RS -- .247
C Howell 2-3, BB, HR (3), RBI (26), RS -- .270
LF Bigler 2-4, 3B (2), RS, OF assist at home -- .202
CF D. Robinson 2-5, RBI (18), RS, E (5) -- .255
RF Dickerson 0-5 -- .315
DH Seratelli 1-3, BB, SF, RBI (33) -- .206
3B J. Johnson 1-4 -- .272

Kniginyzky 5 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 11 H, BB, 5 K, HRA, 2 WP -- L, 2-7, 4.07 ERA
Swaggerty 2 1/3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 4 H, BB, 2 K, WP, E -- 3.38 ERA

*** Six runs in the last 3 innings weren't enough for the Rocks. Matt Kniginyzky gave up a 2-run homer in the 1st and the Rocks would never lead. Jeff Bianchi led off the 2nd with a triple and scored on an Anthony Seratelli sac fly before Jeff Howell led off the 3rd with his 3rd homer to tie it at 2. Kniginyzky gave up 2 runs in the 3rd on 3 hits, a walk and wild pitch and was aided by a Brett Bigler outfield assist at home to end the rally. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 5th and Kniginyzky gave up another pair of runs in the inning on 3 hits to make it 6-2 Warthogs. Wilmington stranded 2 more in the 6th but David Wood scored on a passed ball in the 7th to get Wilmington back on the board. Ben Swaggerty allowed a run in the 7th but Chris McConnell doubled and scored on a passed ball in the 8th to cut it to 7-4. Swaggerty and Derrick Robinson committed errors in the 8th and the Warthogs pushed across 3 runs to put the game away. Bigler tripled and scored on a Robinson single before McConnell doubled home Robinson and Bianchi cranked a 2-run homer in the 9th for his 6th of the season to cut it to 10-8 but the rally ended there. Warthogs starter Anthony Carter got the win with 6 IP of 2 ER on 5 hits and 2 walks to improve to 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA. CF Paulo Orlando was the standout with a 5-5 day with his 23rd RBI and 3 RS to move to .257. Four other 'Hogs had 2-hit games, including a 4-RBI game from LF John Shelby.

The Rocks are 1-4 and 3 games back. The series wraps up today before the all-star break begins tomorrow. Probable starters: The Rocks will use a cadre of relievers led by southpaw Gilbert De La Vara (3-3, 3.70) vs. Winston-Salem righty Matt Long (3-8, 5.31). Righty Jason Godin is out for the season after suffering a broken jaw in a liner to the face in his last start. My money is on Alex Caldera getting the call up from Burlington to take Godin's place.

A - Burlington: Bees 8, Wisconsin 2

3B Moustakas 3-4, BB, HR (10), 2 RBI (36), 2 RS, E (15) -- .243
RF Walton 2-5, 2 RBI (21), K -- .211
LF Lough 3-4, BB, RBI (28), RS, CS (6) -- .263
C Eigsti 2-4, 2B (9), HR (5), RBI (16), K, RS -- .221
1B Taylor 1-4, SF, RBI (28), RS, 2 SB (25) -- .219
CF Ortiz 0-5, K -- .296
2B Giavotella 1-3, 2 BB, 3 RS, SB, E (2) -- .217
DH C. Robinson 0-5, 2 K -- .253
SS J. Rivera 0-4, HBP, K, 2 SB (5) -- .254

Gutierrez 4 IP, 2 H, 4 K -- 2.17 ERA
Runion 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- W, 2-4, 4.41 ERA

*** All the runs in the game came in the 6th or later as the Bees stayed perfect on the half. Burlington left runners at the corners in the 4th but Mike Moustakas broke the ice in the 6th with a 2-run homer for his 10th of the season and Jamar Walton singled in a run to make it 3-0 Bees. Sam Runion gave up a 2-run homer in the 6th but Ryan Eigsti answered with a leadoff shot in the 7th for his 5th of the season and a Jason Taylor sac fly made it 5-2 Burlington. David Lough hit a 2-run single in the 9th and Walton singled in another run to put it on ice at 8-2. Rattlers SP Mike Pineda took the loss with 5 1/3 IP of 3 runs (1 ER) on 5 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to fall to 4-3 with a 1.31 ERA. 2B Edilio Colina was 2-4 to move to .294.

Burlington is 3-0 and in a 3-way tie for first in the second half. The finale is under way as Eduardo Paulino takes the mound for Burlington.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 9, Chukars 4

SS Alfaro 2-4, HR, 2 RBI (3), K, RS -- .545, first pro longball
CF Norris 3-5, 2B, RS, OF assist at home -- .227
DH A. Perez 1-4, HR, 2 RBI (6), RS -- .250
LF Griffin 0-4, 2 K -- .222
RF Francis 1-4, 2B, K -- .318
C McCauley 1-4, K, SB, picked off 2 runners -- .125
1B Van De Keere 1-4, K -- .300

Toribio 4 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA, WP -- L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA
Saito IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, pro debut
Beach IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K, HRA -- 9.00 ERA, likewise
B. Hardy IP, 3 ER, 3 H, K, 2 HRA -- 12.00 ERA
Foster IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, K, HRA -- 9.00 ERA, think it's time to cut our losses with 30-year-old Foster

*** Casper scored 3 in the 1st and pulled away to take another game from the Chukars. IF starter Aneidy Toribio gave up a 2-run homer and RBI double in the 1st to spot the Ghosts the lead. IF stranded 2 in the 2nd but got a 2-run homer from Alwin Perez in the 3rd to cut the lead to 1. Patrick Norris cut down a runner at the plate in the 5th to keep the lead at 1 run but Colby Beach gave up a homer to the first batter he faced in the 6th before stranding 2. Blaine Hardy served up 2 homers for 3 runs in the 7th and John Foster gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th to make it 9-2 Casper. J.D. Alfaro cranked his 1st pro homer in the 9th for a 2-run shot but it was too little, too late. RP Alan Deratt got the win with 4 IP of 2 hits and 4 Ks to improve to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Starter Dan Houston went 3 IP and allowed 2 ER on 5 hits with 3 Ks to set a 6.00 ERA. LF Eliezer Mesa was 3-4 with a double, 2 HR and 4 RBI to move to .417, DH Wilin Rosario was 2-5 with 2 HR and 3 RBI to move to .318 and CF James Sims was 3-5 with a double, HR and 2 RBI to move to .458. Two other Ghosts had 2-hit games.

Idaho Falls is 1-4 and 4 games back. The series ends this afternoon with no announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - Burlington: Bristol 10, B-Royals 4

1B D. Cruz 1-4, HR, 2 RBI (4), K, RS -- .238
CF H. Richardson 2-4, RS -- .300
LF Aparicio 2-3, BB, K, 2 RS, SB -- .316
SS Jose 2-4, K, 2 E (4) -- .214
3B F. Cruz 0-4, RBI (2), K -- .222
DH S. Perez 0-4 -- .385
RF Caldwell 0-4, 2 K, E -- .167
C Moctezuma 1-4, 2B, K, PB -- .167

Jorge 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, 4 K -- L, 0-1, 1.80 ERA
O.D. Gonzalez 1 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, BB, K -- 33.75 ERA, official debut as pitcher un-good
Halliman 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 3 K, HRA -- 10.80 ERA
Mieles IP, ER, 2 H -- 3.00 ERA

*** No Royals pitcher went unscathed as Burlington stayed winless. Starter Victor Jorge gave up 2 runs in the top of the 1st on 2 hits, a walk and a Lifete Jose error at short. The Royals stranded 2 in the 1st and the game stayed 2-0 Bristol into the 6th. Converted OF O.D. Gonzalez came in to pitch the 6th and allowed 2 runs that inning on a walk, 2 hits and an Allen Caldwell error in right. A 2-run Bristol error got the Royals on the board in the bottom of the 6th but the Sox scored 5 runs in the 7th on 2 hits, a hit batter and walk off Gonzalez and a hit batsman and grand slam off Pernell Halliman. Diego Cruz hit a 2-run homer in the 8th for his 1st of the season and Ed Mieles gave up another run in the 9th on 2 hits. Bristol 6-10 starter Garrett Johnson got the win with 5 1/3 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on 6 hits with 7 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA. Murillo Gouvea took it from there for his 1st save. SS Juan Silverio was 3-5 with his 2nd homer and 7 RBI (13) with 2 RS to move to .381 and CF Justin Greene was 3-4 with a walk, 2 doubles, his 2nd RBI, his 2nd SB and 4 RS to move to .571.

The B-Royals are 0-5 going into tonight's finale with Bristol. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - AZL: opening day

*** As expected, the team site has fleshed out the pitching staff somewhat to include supplemental pick lefty Mike Montgomery, third-round righty Tyler Sample, fifth-round lefty John Lamb, eighth-round righty Malcom Culver, 14th-round righty Chase Hentges and three other '08 draftee pitchers.

Royals on the Farm 6/20

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, Round Rock 2 (13)

1B Butler 3-6, 2 HR (5), 2 RBI (12), K, 2 RS -- .369, that's more like it
SS Smith 1-5, BB, GW HR (16), RBI (46), K, RS -- .266
CF Maier 2-5, BB, SB (5) -- .304
DH Shealy 2-5 -- .244
RF Costa 1-6, 2 K -- .302
LF Lubanski 1-5, 2 K -- .249

Duckworth 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 4.82 ERA
Musser 1 2/3 IP, BB, 3 K -- 3.83 ERA
Peralta 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA
Giron 4 IP, H, 2 BB, K -- W, 3-3, 5.86 ERA

*** Three solo homers lifted Omaha to the win Friday versus Round Rock. Billy Butler went solo in the 1st for his 4th at Omaha to give the O-Royals a 1-0 lead but Brandon Duckworth served up a 2-run blast in the 2nd to give the Express the lead. Butler hit another solo shot in the 6th for his 5th of the season to tie the game at 2. The game went to extras and Omaha stranded the bases full in the 10th. With 2 out in the top of the 13th, Jason Smith finally broke the tie with his 16th homer of the season. Roberto Giron set the Express down in order in the bottom of the inning to complete his 3rd victory. RP Ryan Houston took the loss with 2 2/3 IP of an ER on 2 hits with 4 Ks to drop to 1-3 with a 6.53 ERA. Starter Runelvys Hernandez went 7 IP of 2 ER on 6 hits, 3 walks and 5 Ks to move his ERA to 3.72. C J.R. House and 2B Jon Ash had 2-hit games for Round Rock. RF Ray Sadler had his 9th HR and 2 RBI (23).

Omaha improved to 35-38. The Royals took the finale tonight as Tyler Lumsden got his 3rd win.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 8, Naturals 4

LF Suero 2-3, 3B (4), RS, SB (30) -- .278
1B Kaaihue 1-3, BB, HR (16), RBI (45), K, 2 RS -- .276
3B Lisson 1-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI (26), K -- .205
RF Falu 1-4, RBI (15) -- .268
CF Duarte 0-4 -- .246
SS Sanchez 0-4, K -- .264

Pimentel 6 IP, 7 R (5 ER), 10 H, BB, 6 K, HRA, E (3), WP -- L, 3-8, 5.40 ERA
Crist 2 IP, ER, H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- 4.54 ERA
Nicoll IP, H -- 13.50 ERA

*** The Naturals' woes continued as Arkansas battered Julio Pimentel. A double and Pimentel error got the Travelers on the board without an out. Arkansas added an RBI single, steal of home and an RBI double before the half-inning came to an end with a 4-0 Travs lead. Kila Kaaihue hit his 16th homer to lead off the 2nd and Irving Falu hit a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to cut the lead to 4-2. The comeback was complete when Mario Lisson laced a 2-run double to right center to tie the game in the 4th. Pimentel coughed up the lead in the 5th as Arkansas scored a run on a walk and 2 hits before stranding 2. A 2-run homer chased Pimentel in the 7th and Kyle Crist gave up a solo homer later in the inning to make it 8-4 Travs. The last 8 Nats went down in order. Arkansas starter Anthony Ortega got the win with 7 IP of 4 ER on 5 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to improve to 8-4 with a 3.56 ERA. 3B Corey Smith was 3-5 with his 46th RBI, 8th SB and a run scored to move to .272. Two other Travs had 2-hit games. 1B Brian Stavisky hit his 5th homer with 2 RBI (15), his 5th SB and 3 RS to move to .346.

NWA dropped to 0-3. The Nats lost again tonight as Rowdy Hardy took the loss vs. the Travelers.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Winston-Salem 7, Blue Rocks 6

2B Bianchi 3-5, HR (5), 2 RBI (30), K, RS, SB (5), picked off -- .243
1B Seratelli 1-4, BB, HR (8), 3 RBI (32), 2 RS, SB (11) -- .205
SS McConnell 3-5, 2B (19), K, RS, E (17) -- .271
3B W. Perez 1-4, 2B (7), RBI (7), K -- .170
RF Dickerson 2-5, RS -- .321
DH Mertins 2-5, 2B (17), RS -- .283

Teaford 5 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- 3.22 ERA
Haltiwanger 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 4.15 ERA
de la Vara 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, WP -- BS, 1, L, 3-3, 3.70 ERA
Chambliss 1/3 IP, H -- 3.44 ERA

*** The Blue Rocks made a nice comeback in the 7th, but Winston-Salem did the same in the 8th to take back the win. Jeff Bianchi hit a 2-out RBI single in the 1st to give the Rocks a 1-0 lead. A triple and RBI groundout off Everett Teaford in the 2nd tied it and another triple led to a Warthog run in the 3rd. Wilver Perez hit an RBI double to tie it in the 4th but the Rocks left 2 in scoring position. Chris McConnell was thrown out at home in the 5th but Bianchi led off the 6th with his 5th homer to give Wilmington a 3-2 lead. The Rocks stranded 2 and the 'Hogs answered with 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks off Teaford. Anthony Seratelli got the Rocks back the lead on one swing in the 7th as a 3-run homer made it 6-5 Wilmington on Seratelli's 8th longball. Gilbert de la Vara ran into trouble immediately after entering the game in the 8th and gave up the lead before Tyler Chambliss gave up a 2-out RBI single. McConnell tried to score on an infield grounder in the 9th but was cut down at the plate and Kanekoa Texeira picked up his 14th save. RP Richard Brooks went an inning of 3 Ks for the win to move to 2-3 with a 4.60 ERA. Starter Matt Zaleski went 4 2/3 IP and allowed 2 runs (1 ER) on 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks to make his ERA 3.65. Three 'Hogs had 2-hit games, including 1B Brett Bonvechio, who had 2 doubles and 2 RBI to move to .364.

Wilmington dropped to 1-3 and lost again tonight to the Warthogs as Matt Kniginyzky took the loss.

A - Burlington: Bees 3, Wisconsin 2

SS Moustakas 1-4, 2B (11), RBI (34), 2 K, RS -- .235
LF Lough 1-4, 2B (11), RBI (27) -- .255
CF Ortiz 0-4, 2 K, picked off -- .301
2B Giavotella 1-4, K, RS, E -- .200
3B Taylor 1-3, BB, K, RS, SB (23) -- .219
1B C. Robinson 0-4, E (2) -- .261
DH Martin 1-3, BB, SB (2) -- .338

Mitchell 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- W, 5-5, 3.92 ERA, nice
Augustine 4 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- SV, 6, 2.10 ERA

*** The Bees made an early 2-run lead stick to continue a good start to the second half. Mike Moustakas hit an RBI double in the 1st and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 Bees. Matt Mitchell held the Rattlers hitless through 3 but gave up a run in the 4th on a single, Johnny Giavotella's 1st pro error, wild pitch and sac fly to cut the lead in half. Mitchell gave up the tying run in the 5th but David Lough doubled home a run in the 6th to give the Bees back the lead. Joe Augustine stranded 2 in the 8th and got a double play in the 9th to help him to his 6th save. Rattlers SP Nathan Adcock took the loss with 6 1/3 IP of 3 ER on 6 hits, 2 walks and 7 Ks to fall to 2-5 with a 3.60 ERA. The Rattlers only had 3 hits in the loss as Mitchell and Augustine pitched very well.

Burlington moved to 2-0. The good fortune continued tonight as the Bees won another from the Rattlers with Sam Runion getting the win.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 3, Chukars 2

LF Griffin 2-4, 2B (2), RBI (2), 2 K, CS, OF assist at home -- .286
SS Alfaro 1-2, SF, 2B, RBI, K, E -- .571, first pro ribbie
CF Norris 0-4, K -- .118
RF Francis 1-3, BB, 2 K -- .333
C McCauley 0-4, K, PB (2) -- .083
1B Espinosa 1-3 -- .267

Raglione 5 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA, very nice
Gilgenbach 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 BB -- 27.00 ERA, rough pro debut
Novakowski 2 1/3 IP, ER, 6 H, BB, WP -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 3.86 ERA, likewise

*** The Chukars lost a 2-run lead in the 6th and the game in the 8th. Idaho Falls ran into outs in the 3rd and 4th but John Alfaro gave them the lead with a sac fly in the 5th. Shawn Griffin hit an RBI double in the 6th but was caught stealing third to end the inning (pulling a Berroa). Stephen Gilgenbach walked 3 in the bottom of the inning but had 2 in scoring position with 2 out when he was pulled for Gary Novakowski, who gave up a 2-run single and walk before getting out of the inning with the game tied at 2. Novakowski stranded 2 Ghosts in the 7th but 2 doubles and a wild pitch cost him a run for the lead in the 8th. Griffin nailed a runner at the plate to end the inning and the Chukars stranded a runner in the 9th as Isaiah Froneberger got his 1st save. RP Ethan Hollingsworth got the win with 3 IP of an ER on a hit, walk and 4 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. Starter Matt Baugh went 5 IP and allowed an ER on 5 hits and 5 Ks to set a 1.80 ERA. SS Carlos Martinez was 2-2 with a walk, his 2nd SB, his 1st E and a run scored to move to .375.

Idaho Falls moved to 1-3 but lost again tonight as Aneidy Toribio took the loss.

Rookie - Burlington: Bristol 7, B-Royals 6

C S. Perez 2-4, SF, 2 RBI (3) -- .556
2B A. Franco 3-5, K, RS, E (2) -- .375
LF Aparicio 2-4, BB, 2B (2), RBI (4), K, RS, CS, E -- .250
3B F. Cruz 2-4, RBI, K, E (2) -- .286
1B D. Cruz 1-5, RBI (2), K, 2 RS -- .235
DH H. Richardson 0-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .250
RF Caldwell 0-4, BB, 3 K, OF assist at first -- .214
CF Testa 0-3, BB, K -- .000

Lehmann 3 IP, 7 R (4 ER), 7 H, BB, K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 12.00 ERA
Flanagan 2 IP, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA, nice pro debut
M. Baez 4 IP, 3 H, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA

*** Mike Lehmann and the B-Royal defense had a rough night and the offense couldn't recover. A triple and 2-run homer off Lehmann started the game but the Royals got a run back in the bottom of the frame as an error brought home Angel Franco. Two doubles and a walk brought home 2 more Bristol runs in the 2nd and the Royals left the bases loaded in their half. Errors by Fernando Cruz and Julio Aparicio in the 3rd helped fuel a 3-run Sox rally as Bristol made it 7-1. Salvador Perez singled in a run in the bottom of the 3rd to cut into the lead and the B-Royals kept the comeback going in the 4th as Aparicio hit an RBI double, Diego Cruz singled in a run, Perez added a sac fly and Fernando Cruz singled in a run to make it 7-6. The Royals stranded 2 and it was all of a sudden a pitchers' duel thereafter as the Sox made it stand. RP Kevin Asselin picked up his 1st save and RP Shane Buriff got the win with 2 2/3 IP of an ER on 3 hits, a walk and 4 Ks to improve to 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA. Starter Po-Yu Lin lasted only 3 1/3 IP of 5 runs (3 ER) on 7 hits, 3 walks and 2 Ks to make his ERA 8.10. Three Sox had 2-hit games, including 2B Drew Garcia, who was 2-5 with his 1st double and HR and 4 RBI to move to .308. He was a 21st round pick of the ChiSox this year.

Burlington dropped to 0-4 and lost again tonight as Victor Jorge took the loss.

Rookie - AZL: season starts Sunday

*** The Royals get into action versus the Rangers. The AZL team's roster features late '07 signee righty Keaton Hayenga, '07 draftee righty Mitch Hodge, '07 draftee OF Derek Rodriguez, '08 6th rounder OF Alex Llanos, 10th rounder C Mauricio Matos and 17th rounder 3B Jake Kuebler (Alex Gordon's cousin) along with a bevy of Latin players and some NDFAs. I also figure more drafted pitchers are on the squad than those listed on the team site. Surely there's more than 9 pitchers on the roster.

Royals on the Farm 6/19

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 3, O-Royals 2

DH Shealy 1-4, HR (10), 2 RBI (25), K, RS -- .240, clutch longball
RF Costa 2-4, HR (10), RBI (35), 2 K, RS -- .305
1B Butler 0-3, BB, RS -- .359
CF Maier 0-4, 2 K, OF assist at home -- .301
SS Smith 2-4, K -- .267
LF Lubanski 0-3, 3 K -- .250, Ks, Ks, Ks

Wright 8 IP, ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- W, 2-4, 5.38 ERA, finally a solid start
Salmon IP, ER, H, WP -- SV, 2, 4.75 ERA

*** Ryan Shealy hit a key homer as all 3 Royal runs came via the roundtripper and Omaha snapped its skid. Starter Matt Wright gave up a run on 2 hits in the 2nd and Mitch Maier threw out a runner at the plate to end the Express 3rd. The O-Royals were being shut out on 2 hits by Express starter Ron Chiavacci entering the 7th but Shane Costa changed that with a leadoff homer for his 10th of the season. The Royals left runners at the corners in the inning and the game was tied in the top of the 9th when Shealy blasted his 10th homer of the year for a 2-run shot to put the Royals up, 3-1. Brad Salmon gave up a double and run-scoring wild pitch in the 9th before closing the door for his 2nd save. RP Jorge Sosa took the loss for the Express with an IP of 2 ER on 2 hits with 2 Ks to drop to 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA. Chiavacci allowed an ER on 5 hits and a walk with 8 Ks over 7 IP to move his ERA to 6.88. 3B Tomas Perez was 2-4 with his 3rd triple to move to .281.

Omaha is 34-38 and 8 games out. The series wraps tonight as Omaha RH Brandon Duckworth (3-6, 4.93) takes on Express rotund malcontent RH Runelvys Hernandez (6-3, 3.82).

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 3, Naturals 2 (10)

3B-1B Richardson 2-4, HR (6), RBI (35), 2 K, RS -- .293
CF Duarte 1-4, HR (5), RBI (28), RS -- .250
SS Sanchez 0-4 -- .268
1B Kaaihue 0-2, 2 BB -- .275
* RF Irving Falu had an OF assist at home.

B. Wood 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 5.87 ERA, solid outing
Atencio 2 IP, UER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 E (3) -- L, 1-2, 5.17 ERA, also hit 2 batters
Hayes IP, nothing -- 2.30 ERA

*** Greg Atencio had a rough 10th as Tulsa got the 4-game sweep of the Naturals. NWA stranded 2 in the 2nd and Tulsa took the lead in the 3rd with a run on 4 hits, although Irving Falu's assist at home from right cut the rally short. Juan Richardson cracked his 6th homer in the 4th to tie the game but Blake Wood gave up a solo homer in the 5th to give Tulsa back the 1-run lead. Jose Duarte hit a 2-out solo homer in the 8th for his 5th of the season to retie the game. Atencio pitched a perfect 8th and got a double play to get out of the 9th but had 2 consecutive errors in the 10th to help load the bases and then brought in the go-ahead run by hitting a batter to make it 3-2 Drillers. Chris Hayes came in and put out the fire but it was too late as Ryan Mattheus pitched a perfect 10th for his 12th save. RP Edward Valdez got the win with a scoreless inning of work to move to 3-2 with a 4.24 ERA. Starter Brandon Hynick went 8 IP and allowed 2 ER on 5 hits and a walk with 4 Ks to move his ERA to 5.36. 2B Eric Young Jr. was 2-5 with his 10th double, 3rd homer and 14th RBI to move to .282 and CF Dexter Fowler drove in 2 runs for the Drillers.

The Naturals are 0-2 and move on to a 4-game home set vs. the first-half division champ Arkansas Travelers (0-2, AA Angels). NWA's Julio Pimentel (3-7, 5.24) and Arkansas' Anthony Ortega (7-4, 3.43) will start the opener tonight.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Frederick 2, Blue Rocks 1

RF Dickerson 2-4, CS (12) -- .319
2B Mertins 1-4, 2B (16), RBI (28) -- .281
CF D. Robinson 0-4, K -- .253
SS McConnell 0-4, K -- .264
DH Bianchi 0-4, 2 K -- .234, hot streak apparently over
3B J. Johnson 0-2, HBP, E (6) -- .272
LF Dyson 0-2, BB, K, RS, SB (26) -- .252

Santiago 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- L, 5-4, 4.04 ERA, tough loss
Holland IP, H, 2 K -- 3.89 ERA
Barrera 2 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K, E (3) -- 2.59 ERA
Chambliss IP, H, K -- 3.48 ERA

*** The Rocks offense generated only 4 hits as the Keys took the rubber game of the series. Starter Mario Santiago ran into trouble in the 2nd as he allowed a run on a walk, hit and Josh Johnson error at third on a missed catch. Santiago gave up a solo homer in the 4th to make it 2-0 Keys. Wilmington had runners run into outs on the basepaths in the 2nd and 3rd and didn't get on the board until the 6th when Kurt Mertins doubled in a run with 2 outs to cut the lead in half. The last 7 Rocks went down in order, tho, to end it. RP Zach Clark picked up his 1st save for Frederick as SP Kyle Schmidt got the win with 6 IP of an ER on 4 hits and a walk with 4 Ks to improve to 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA. 3B Billy Rowell and SS Todd Davison had 2-hit games for the Keys and Matt Wieters was 1-4 with a walk to drop to .346. Davison also had his 12th error.

Wilmington is 1-2 and a game back. A 3-game set at the Winston-Salem Warthogs (1-2, A-Adv. ChiSox) starts tonight. Probable starters: Rocks lefty Everett Teaford (4-1, 2.79) against 'Hogs righty Matt Zaleski (3-2, 3.81). The Rocks are 6-5 versus the 'Hogs.

A - Burlington: Bees 9, Wisconsin 3

3B Moustakas 3-5, 2 RBI (33), K, RS -- .235, right way to start second half
CF Ortiz 3-6, RBI (20), RS -- .305
DH C. Robinson 2-5, 3B (3), 2 RBI (24), K -- .268
RF Walton 2-4, SF, 2B (6), RBI (19), K, RS -- .210
C Eigsti 2-5, K, RS -- .212
2B Giavotella 1-4, 2 BB, 2B (2), K, 2 RS -- .188
1B Taylor 0-3, 2 BB, RS -- .217, hand injury must not have been so bad
LF Lough 0-4, BB, RBI (26), K, RS -- .255
SS J. Rivera 0-3, 2 BB, K, RS, SB (3) -- .271

Caldera 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K, WP, E (2) -- W, 5-5, 3.31 ERA
Baldwin IP, H, K, pickoff -- 3.38 ERA
Z. Peterson IP, 2 K -- 3.80 ERA
Chavez IP, BB -- 2.76 ERA

*** The Bees started the second half with a 4-run 1st and rolled to the win over the Rattlers. Two walks and a Mike Moustakas single loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st and David Lough took a bases loaded walk, Clint Robinson singled home 2 runs and Jamar Walton hit a sac fly to make it 4-0 Bees. Burlington loaded the bases with no outs in the 2nd and a wild pitch scored Ryan Eigsti to make it 5-0 Bees, but Burlington ended up leaving the bases loaded. Back-to-back doubles scored 3 runs for the Rattlers off Alex Caldera in the 3rd, but Burlington got the runs back in the 6th on an Adrian Ortiz RBI single and a 2-run single by Moustakas. Walton scored on an error in the 7th to make it 9-3 and the bullpen took care of the rest. Wisconsin starter Ed Paredes took the loss with an IP of 5 ER on 4 hits and 4 walks to fall to 4-7 with a 4.67 ERA. CF Maximo Mendez and 3B Alex Liddi had 2-hit games.

The Bees are 1-0 and have game 2 with the Rattlers tonight. Slated starters are Bees' SP Matt Mitchell (4-5, 4.10) and Wisconsin's Nathan Adcock (2-4, 3.54).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 3, Chukars 2

C Graterol 2-3, HBP, RBI, SB, PB -- .667
3B Jimenez 2-4, K, 2 RS, SB -- .400
SS Molina 1-3, SF, 2B (2), RBI, 2 K -- .333
CF Norris 0-4, BB, 3 K -- .154
RF Francis 1-4, K -- .333
1B Espinosa 1-3, BB, K -- .250

Hodgson 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, BB, 7 K -- L, 0-1, 3.60 ERA
Miller IP, ER, BB, WP -- 9.00 ERA
Thompson 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Foster IP, H, BB, K -- 0.00 ERA

*** Casper never trailed in taking the series from the Chukars. Starter Ivor Hodgson gave up a leadoff triple in the 1st but lucked out with a 6-3-2 double play to tiptoe through trouble. He wasn't as lucky in the 2nd as a double, triple and single scored 2 runs to make it 2-0 Ghosts. The Chukars stranded the bases full in the 3rd but Yeldrys Molina hit a sac fly in the 4th to cut it to 2-1. IF still managed to strand 2 in scoring position and RP Steve Miller gave up a sac fly in the 6th to push the lead back to 2. Juan Graterol hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 6th to cut it back to 3-2. The Chukars stranded 2 in the 8th and went down in order in the 9th as RP Kurt Yacko notched his 1st save. RP Adam Jorgenson got the win with 2 1/3 IP of a hit, walk and 5 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Starter Yull Silano went 4 IP and allowed an ER on 4 hits and 3 walks with 2 Ks to make his ERA 2.25. C Wilin Rosario and 1B Nick Valdez had 2-hit games for Casper. Valdez also drove in 2 runs.

Idaho Falls is 1-2 and 2 games back. The teams shifted to Casper for 3 games starting tonight. Casper got another win as Gary Novakowski took the loss.

Rookie - Burlington: Danville 11, B-Royals 3

CF H. Richardson 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K, SB -- .333
LF Aparicio 0-5, RBI (3), 2 K -- .167
DH F. Cruz 1-4, 3 K, CS -- .200
3B Morales 1-4, K -- .125
RF Caldwell 1-3, BB, K, RS -- .300
C Perez 1-1, 2 BB, 2 RS -- .600

Marimon 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, HRA, WP, E -- L, 0-1, 14.73 ERA, yowch
J. Rodriguez 2 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 K -- 11.57 ERA
T. Huber IP, 2 ER, 4 H, K, HRA -- 18.00 ERA, rough night for the B-Royals staff
Farinas IP, BB, K -- 0.00 ERA

*** Danville cranked up the offense in the 4th and cruised to the sweep of the Royals. Hilton Richardson gave Burlington the lead with a 2-out, 2-run double in the 3rd but starter Sugar Ray Marimon allowed a run in the bottom of the 3rd on a walk and double. Marimon didn't survive the 4th as Danville churned out 5 runs on 4 hits, a walk and a 3-run homer to knock him out of the game. The Royals left the bases full in the 5th and Danville poured on 3 more runs in the 6th on 4 hits off Jacob Rodriguez to make it 9-2. Julio Aparicio hit an RBI forceout in the 7th but Tim Huber gave up 2 runs in his pro debut in the 7th and Burlington didn't threaten again. P Angelo Paulino got the win with 2 1/3 IP of 3 hits and a walk with 4 Ks to improve to 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Starter Steven Kent went 3 2/3 IP with 2 ER allowed on 2 hits and 3 walks with 6 Ks to set his ERA at 4.91. SS Shayne Moody was 4-5 with his 3rd double and 2 RBI with a run scored to move to .533. Two other Braves had 3-hit games and two others had 2-hit games. RF L.V. Ware and CF David Berres had 3 RBI each.

Burlington dropped to 0-3. A 2-game set with the Bristol (White) Sox started tonight and the Royals dropped to 0-4 as Mike Lehmann took the loss.

Royals on the Farm 6/18

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 4, O-Royals 3 (10)

RF Costa 4-5, 2B (16), 2 RBI (34), RS -- .302
DH Shealy 2-3, BB, CS -- .240
C B. Pena 2-5 -- .300
1B Butler 0-4, BB -- .373
CF Maier 1-5, RS -- .307
LF Lubanski 1-4, 3 K, RS -- .254, still having trouble putting bat on ball to some extent

H. Ramirez 7 IP, 2 UER, 6 H, BB, K, E -- 1.42 ERA
Lowery 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 1.96 ERA

*** Reliever Devon Lowery got his 1st AAA blown save in the 9th then gave up a walkoff shot in the 10th as Omaha lost its 5th straight. An error by Omaha starter Horacio Ramirez in the 1st helped lead to the Express' 1st run of the game on a sac fly. An Ed Lucas error in the 2nd led to another run as Round Rock took a 2-0 lead. The game stayed at that score into the 6th when Omaha finally got on the board on a bases-loaded Ryan Shealy double-play ball that scored Shane Costa. Omaha left runners at the corners but surged ahead in the 7th as Costa ripped a 2-run double to make it 3-2 Omaha. Lowery sat down the first 4 batters he faced before giving up a 1-out walk and RBI double in the 9th to tie the game. Billy Butler grounded into his 2nd double play of the night to end the Omaha 10th and Lowery served up a 2-out solo homer to 2B Edwin Maysonet in the 10th to end it on Maysonet's 4th homer of the season. RP Jorge Sosa got the win with an IP of 1 hit allowed to move to 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Starter Chad Reineke went 6 IP and allowed an ER on 6 hits with 3 walks and 2 Ks to move his ERA to 5.69. DH J.R. House and LF Ray Sadler had 2-hit games for Round Rock, including Sadler having the big RBI double in the 9th.

Omaha is 33-38 and 8 games out. Game 3 with the Express is tonight. Probable starters: Omaha RH Matt Wright (1-4, 5.89) vs. Round Rock RH Ron Chiavacci (1-1, 10.80). O-Royals hitting coach Terry Bradshaw has been named to the staff for the AAA All-Star Game as the PCL hitting coach.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 4, Naturals 3

LF Falu 2-4, HR (2), RBI (14), 2 RS -- .277
2B Maddox 2-3, BB, 2B (12), RS, SB (11) -- .295
SS Sanchez 2-4, 2B (7) -- .273
C Donachie 1-4, 2B (5), RBI (14), 2 K -- .225, haven't typed his name much this season
1B Richardson 0-4, RBI (34), K, E (3) -- .289
CF Duarte 0-5, K -- .250
DH Kaaihue 1-3, BB -- .278

Cortes 7 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 10 K -- 3.58 ERA, tough no-decision
Nicoll IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 K -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 27.00 ERA, rough AA debut
Crist IP, 2 K -- 4.54 ERA

*** Dan Cortes pitched a great game only to watch the bullpen let it slip away as Tulsa set up a chance at a 4-game sweep. Irving Falu slammed his 2nd homer of the season in the 1st and, right away, the Naturals had a 1-0 lead. Adam Donachie hit a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd and Juan Richardson hit an RBI groundout in the 3rd to make it 3-0 NWA. Cortes gave up his first hit of the game in the 4th and Tulsa scratched out a run thanks also in part to a Juan Richardson error on a pickoff attempt. The 3-1 lead held into the 8th when Chris Nicoll came in for his AA debut. With 2 outs and a man on second, Nicoll hit a batter then gave up a 2-run double and RBI single to give the Drillers the 4-3 lead. A strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double play ended the NWA 8th and the Naturals went down in order in the 9th as Tulsa's Ryan Mattheus got his 11th save. RP Adam Bright got 1 out for the win to move to 3-2 with a 1.73 ERA. Starter Alan Johnson went 6 2/3 IP and allowed 3 ER on 8 hits, 2 walks and 3 Ks to move his ERA to 4.85. DH Matt Miller was 2-4 with his 13th double and 3 RBI (57) along with his 3rd SB and a run scored to move to .356.

NW Arkansas is 0-1. The series is concluding today as Blake Wood got the start for NWA. C Cody Clark was activated from the DL. A story in the Springdale Morning News states the Royals have signed supplemental draft pick lefty Mike Montgomery, so that's good news. The same story says it's a matter of "when" not "if" the Royals will sign #3 overall pick 1B Eric Hosmer. A look at the Baseball America '08 Royals draft database shows 2 other top 10-round picks signed -- 8th round righty Malcolm Culver and 10th round C Mauricio Matos. Now let's get Hosmer and Melville and then whatever else is gravy.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Frederick 3

SS McConnell 3-5, K, RS, E (16) -- .269, wasn't he supposed to have a good defensive rep?
3B Mertins 2-4, RBI (27) -- .281
RF Dickerson 0-3, BB, RBI (42), 2 K -- .316
2B Bianchi 0-3, BB, RBI (28) -- .239
CF D. Robinson 1-4, BB, K, 2 RS -- .257
DH J. Johnson 0-4, K -- .275

Cegarra 6 IP, UER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- 3.62 ERA, good start
Swaggerty 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- 3.29 ERA
Hartsock 1 1/3 IP, H, K, WP -- W, 5-4, 4.61 ERA

*** The Rocks won in dramatic fashion as 4 Keys errors helped the cause, including one in particular. The Rocks started their half of the 1st with 3 straight singles as one from Kurt Mertins drove home Derrick Robinson to make it 1-0 Wilmington. The Rocks stranded 2 then and in the 3rd and starter Ed Cegarra stranded 2 Keys in the 4th. Frederick finally tied it in the 5th as a Chris McConnell error and Jeff Howell passed ball helped lead to the tying run. The Keys broke the 1-1 tie in the 8th as Ben Swaggerty was pulled for Aaron Hartsock with the bases loaded and 2 out and Hartsock gave up a 2-run single before stranding 2 in scoring position. Two Keys errors helped the Rocks rally in the bottom of the 8th as Joe Dickerson drew a bases-loaded walk and a Jeff Bianchi RBI forceout tied the game. The Rocks loaded the bases with 2 walks and a single with 1 out in the 9th and McConnell grounded into a would-be forceout only to see Keys 3B Billy Rowell make a throwing error as the winning run scored. RP Ryan Ouellette took the loss with 1/3 IP of an unearned run on a hit and 2 walks with a K to drop to 2-6 with a 4.54 ERA. Keys starter Tim Bascom went 6 IP and allowed an ER on 5 hits, a walk and 6 Ks to make his ERA 3.90. RF Brandon Tripp was 2-4 with a run scored to move to .239 and C Matt Wieters was 1-3 with a walk and run scored to fall to .347.

Wilmington is 1-1 and 1 game back of first-half champ Potomac. The series with the Keys ends tonight. Probable starters: Rocks right-hander Mario Santiago (5-3, 4.08) vs. Frederick righty Kyle Schmidt (1-3, 3.82).

A - Burlington: all-star break

*** The Bees start the second half tonight with the first of 4 at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A Mariners). Probable starters: Bees' Alex Caldera (4-5, 3.21) vs. Wisconsin's Ed Paredes (4-6, 4.01). The Bees are 5-3 versus the Rattlers and swept the last 4-game set from them.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 11, Casper 6

2B A. Perez 3-5, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, K, 2 RS -- .333
RF Francis 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI (5) -- .364
3B Jimenez 3-5, RBI, K -- .364
CF Norris 2-4, SF, RBI, K, 2 RS -- .222
SS Alfaro 3-5, K, 2 RS, SB -- .600, not bad in first pro start
1B Espinosa 2-5, RBI -- .222, first pro RBI
DH Van De Keere 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 K, 2 RS -- .333
LF Griffin 1-4, BB, 2B, RBI, K, 2 RS, SB -- .222, also his first RBI and steal
C McCauley 1-4, SF, RBI, RS, E -- .125

Cota 4 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- 3.86 ERA, shaky, but first start in looooong time
Carver 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, K -- 13.50 ERA
J. Garcia 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 3.00 ERA

*** Four multi-run rallies were the recipe for the Chukars' first win of 2008. Patrick Norris tried to score on a 2-out error in the 1st but was thrown out at the plate to keep the game scoreless. Casper struck first in the 3rd with a run on 2 hits and a throwing error by C Sean McCauley. Norris tied it with a sac fly in the bottom of the 3rd and the Chukars poured on 2 more runs on an Alwin Perez RBI double and McCauley sac fly before stranding 2. The Chukars loaded the bases to start the 4th and Perez hit a 1-out triple to bring 3 more runs in to make it 6-1 Idaho Falls. IF starter Luis Cota, who was making his first official start in a comeback from arm surgery, gave up a solo homer in the 5th and was pulled with 1 on and 2 out. P Jesse Carver, making his pro debut as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State, then allowed 3 more runs to come in on 3 hits and the lead was closed to 6-5. Idaho Falls got some breathing room back in the 6th with 3 runs on an RBI double by Shawn Griffin and a 2-run triple by Nick Francis to make it 9-5. P Justin Garcia also made his debut as a non-drafted FA out of the U of New Orleans and, after pitching a perfect 7th, allowed a run on a triple and wild pitch in the 8th. The Chukars struck back with 2 in the 8th on RBI singles by Antonio Jimenez and Tito Espinosa before stranding 2. Garcia stranded 1 in the 9th to nail down the win. Casper starter Marco Duarte took the loss with 4 IP of 6 ER on 9 hits, a walk and 3 Ks to fall to 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA. CF James Sims and C Nick Valdez had 3-hit games for the Ghosts while RF Orlando Sandoval also chipped in 2 hits.

Idaho Falls is 1-1 and 1 game back. The series ends tonight with no announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - Burlington: Danville 10, B-Royals 3

RF Caldwell 2-3, HBP, 3B, RBI, K, CS -- .286, first pro RBI
LF Aparicio 1-4, 2B, RBI (2), K, RS, OF assist at home -- .286
C Moctezuma 0-2, SF, RBI -- .000, first pro RBI as well
CF Richardson 1-4, K, OF assist at first -- .250
2B Franco 1-4, 2B, K, RS -- .375
DH Testa 0-3, 2 K -- .000, first pro start
3B F. Cruz 0-2, HBP -- .167
SS Gutierrez 0-3, E -- .000, pro debut for NDFA out of Lipscomb U

G. De La Cruz 4 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA
Garrido 3 2/3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 7 H, 3 K, HRA -- 2.45 ERA
Bryant 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, K, HRA -- 54.00 ERA, gave up granny in pro debut

*** The Braves put the game on ice in the 8th to keep the B-Royals winless. Allen Caldwell hit a 1-out triple in the 2nd and scored on a Miguel Moctezuma sac fly to put Burlington up early. Danville went to work on Royals starter Giancarlo De La Cruz in the 3rd and ended up with 4 runs on 4 hits and a 3-run homer, although LF Julio Aparicio did save one run with an OF assist at the plate. The Royals tightened it up with 2 runs in the 4th on an Aparicio RBI double and Caldwell RBI single to cut it to 4-3. De La Cruz stranded the bases full in the 4th and handed the ball to Santiago Garrido in the 5th. Garrido gave up a solo homer in the 6th and the Braves got to him in the 8th with 2 2-out singles and a run-scoring throwing error by shortstop Jorge Gutierrez. Carson Bryant made his pro debut to relieve Garrido and loaded the bases with a single before serving up a grand slam to 1B Gerardo Rodriguez for his 2nd homer of the game to make it 10-3 Danville. The Royals went down meekly in the 9th as RP Craig Kimbrel marked his 1st save. Danville SP Julio Teheran went 5 IP and allowed 3 ER on 5 hits with 3 Ks to move to 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA. Rodriguez was a one-man wrecking crew as he went 3-5 with 2 HR (3) and 7 RBI (10) to move to .556. Three other Braves had 3-hit games while two others had 2-hit games.

The B-Royals are 0-2. The set with the Braves ends tonight with no announced starters on the team site.