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.