Royals on the Farm 7/12

AAA - Omaha: Memphis 3, O-Royals 2 (G1)

DH Buchanan 1-4, HR (7), RBI (30), K, RS -- .277
CF Maier 2-4, 2B (22) -- .317
1B Shealy 2-4, 2B (12) -- .283
C B. Pena 1-3, BB, RS -- .329
RF Stodolka 1-3, 2 K -- .234
LF Lubanski 0-3, 2 K -- .235
SS Sanchez 1-3, K -- .200

Colon 7 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 K -- L, 2-4, 4.75 ERA, quality start
Nunez IP, 2 K -- 3.00 ERA, looks like he's getting back in shape

*** A pitcher's duel between Roman Colon and Anthony Reyes came down to the pens and an Omaha rally in the 9th that came up just short. Brian Buchanan got Omaha started in the 2nd with a leadoff homer for his 7th of the season. Memphis answered with 2 runs on 3 hits off Colon in the bottom of the inning. Neither team sent more than 4 batters to the plate in an inning again until the 7th when Memphis got 2 hits and a sac fly to stretch the lead to 3-1. Kelvin Jimenez came in to close it out in the 9th and the O-Royals loaded the bases with no outs on 3 singles. A Buchanan double play ball worked both for and against Omaha as it scored a run but put the Royals down to their last out, and Gookie Dawkins struck out as Jimenez squeaked out his 11th save. Reyes got the win with 6 IP with 1 ER to improve to 2-2. LF Rico Washington and 3B David Freese had 2-hit games for Memphis.

O-Royals 3, Memphis 2 (G2)

1B Shealy 2-2, BB, SF, 2B (13), RBI (35), RS -- .289
RF Hollins 0-3, BB, RBI (32), 2 K -- .215
CF Maier 0-4, 3 K -- .313
LF Lubanski 0-3, S, K -- .232

Capellan 4 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K -- 3.60 ERA, organizational debut
Atencio 3 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 2.70 ERA, '08 Omaha debut
Salmon 1 2/3 IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 3, 4.57 ERA

*** Scrap heap signee Jose Capellan made his first start for Omaha and the Royals held on to win on only 3 hits and split the double dip. The Royals drew 4 walks in the 1st with Damon Hollins' bringing in a run to give Omaha a 1-0 lead. Capellan left the bases full in the 1st and Ryan Shealy hit a sac fly in the 2nd to make it 2-0. Memphis got a run on 2 hits and a walk in the 4th but Shealy doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the 5th to make it 3-1 Omaha. Greg Atencio made his '08 Omaha debut in the 5th and allowed a run on a walk and hit in the 6th to cut the lead to 3-2. The tying run was on third with 1 out in the 8th when Brad Salmon came in and escaped the jam. He pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save. Redbirds starter Tyler Norrick took the loss with 2 runs (1 ER) over 4 IP to start his AAA season out at 0-1. Five 'Birds had a hit each with LF Cody Haerther driving in 2 runs.

Omaha is 45-51. The series ends today with the last game before the all-star break. Probable starters: RH Carlos Rosa (4-2, 4.32) vs. Memphis RH Mitchell Boggs (6-1, 3.14). Neal Musser has been put on the DL, I assume to make room for Josh Newman or Capellan.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Springfield 4

LF Lucas 1-5, HR (2), 2 RBI (16), K, RS, OF assist at second -- .294
CF Duarte 2-5, HR (6), RBI (35), K, 2 RS, 2 SB (23) -- .257
1B Kaaihue 2-5 -- .311
C Donachie 1-4, HR (3), RBI (20), 2 K, RS -- .226
3B Richardson 0-1, 2 BB, 2 HBP, RS -- .295, good day for OBP
* NWA stranded 12.

Cortes 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, BB, K, 2 HRA -- 3.82 ERA
C. Hayes IP, K -- W, 2-1, 1.94 ERA
Hamulack 1 2/3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 2, 0.00 ERA

*** Springfield took a 4-0 lead into the 6th but the Naturals flipped the game over and won it with 2 in the 8th. Dan Cortes gave up a leadoff homer in the 1st and then another leadoff homer to the same guy -- SS Tyler Greene -- in the 3rd to make it 2-0 as both teams squandered chances at rallies. Greene hit an RBI triple as part of a 2-run Springfield 5th to make it 4-0. Ed Lucas finally got NWA off and running in the 6th with a 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season to chase starter Tyler Herron. Jose Duarte went solo in the 7th for his 6th homer of the season to cut it to 4-3 but the Naturals left the bases full. Adam Donachie tied it in the 8th with a solo homer for his 3rd of the season and Duarte followed with a single, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a double steal of home and second with Irving Falu to give the Naturals a 5-4 lead. Tim Hamulack sat down all 5 Cards he faced for his 2nd save. RP Scott Vander Weg took his 1st blown save and 1st loss of the season to drop to 1-1 with 2 ER over 2 IP. Herron allowed 2 ER over 5 2/3 IP. Greene was 3-4 with a triple, 2 HR (13) and 3 RBI with 3 RS.

NWA is 11-10 and 2.5 games back. The series concludes tonight as Blake Wood (2-3, 5.45) takes on Springfield's Adam Ottavino (1-4, 5.79).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 10, Lynchburg 9

3B J. Johnson 2-5, 2B (10), 2 RBI (26), 2 K, RS -- .269
DH Correll 3-5, 2B (3), RBI (3), K, 3 RS -- .300
2B Mertins 3-5, 3 RS -- .306
1B Seratelli 2-4, BB, 3B (4), RBI (40), 2 RS -- .210
C Morizio 1-3, BB, 3B (4), 2 RBI (14) -- .176
PH Strait 1-1, 2B (2), RBI (6) -- .323
CF D. Robinson 1-5, E (6) -- .240
SS McConnell 1-4, BB, RS, E (22) -- .276
RF Dickerson 1-5, K -- .298

Cegarra 3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, K, 3 HRA -- 5.09 ERA, a start to forget
Holland 3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, WP -- 3.59 ERA
Swaggerty 3 IP, 3 BB, 3 K, pickoff -- W, 3-1, 2.16 ERA

*** A near mirror image of their parent team's comeback against the Cardinals Saturday, the Bucs' A-Advanced team in Lynchburg was up 9-4 on Wilmington in the 5th and saw the Rocks come back and win it on a big hit by Cody Strait in the 9th. Ed Cegarra had a rough start for the Rocks as he gave up a 2-run homer in the 1st and solo homers in the 2nd and 3rd as the Hillcats pounded out 6 runs. Wilmington scored 2 in the 2nd on a 2-run Lynchburg error and then scored 2 in the 3rd on a Brad Correll RBI single and Josh Johnson RBI double to cut it to 6-4. The Rocks stranded 2 and Lynchburg got to Greg Holland in the 5th for 3 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks and 2 Wilmington errors to make it 9-4. The Rocks started chipping into the lead again in the 5th with 2 runs on a Johnson RBI single and Anthony Seratelli RBI triple. Holland stranded 2 in the 6th and Matt Morizio hit a 2-out, 2-run triple in the 7th to cut the lead to 9-8. With 1 on and 2 out in the 9th, Seratelli drew a key walk and Strait hit a pinch-hit 2-run walkoff double aided by an error by Hillcats LF Jared Keel to end the game. RP Kevin Roberts took the loss and his 2nd blown save with 4 runs (3 ER) allowed over 3 2/3 IP to fall to 0-2. Starter Mike Crotta allowed 6 runs (4 ER) over 5 innings of work. 1B Jamie Romak was 3-5 with a double and 2 RS and 2B Jim Negrych was 2-2 with 3 walks, a homer and 2 RBI with 3 RS. Two other 'Cats had 2-hit, 2-RBI games.

The Rocks are 10-12 and 2 games back. Game 2 is today. Starters: Mario Santiago (7-5, 3.74) and Lynchburg's Brian Holliday (3-8, 5.93).

A - Burlington: Bees 10, Lansing 4

Moustakas DNP game 4 in a row
1B Taylor 2-4, BB, 2 RBI (33), 2 RS, 2 SB (30), E (14) -- .211
3B Martin 2-5, 2B (10), RBI (17), K, RS -- .298
RF Van Stratten 2-4, BB, K, RS -- .348
DH C. Robinson 1-4, BB, RBI (33), K, 2 RS -- .242
LF Walton 1-5, RBI (29), RS, picked off -- .225
C Eigsti 1-3, SF, RBI (19) -- .216
SS J. Rivera 0-5, RBI (14), K, CS (3), 2 E (7) -- .218
CF Ortiz 1-5, RS, SB (27), OF assist at second -- .312
2B Giavotella 1-3, 2 BB, 2 RS, SB (7) -- .330

Gutierrez 4 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K, HRA -- 2.14 ERA
Z. Peterson 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- W, 2-2, 3.39 ERA

*** Bookended 4-run innings earned the Bees the win in the opener with the Lugnuts. The 4-run 1st came on a Jason Taylor RBI single, a Jamar Walton RBI single, and 2 run-scoring Lansing errors. Danny Gutierrez served up a solo homer in the 2nd but yet another Lansing error scored a Bee run in the 3rd and Ryan Eigsti hit a sac fly to make it 6-1 Burlington. Taylor's 14th error of the season led to a Lansing run in the 3rd to cut it to 6-2 but the Lugnuts stranded 2 in each of the 3rd, 4th and 5th. Lansing whittled the lead to 3 with a solo homer in the 6th and 2 hits scored another run in the 7th to cut it to 6-4. The Bees got it going again in the 9th, however, as they got 4 runs on RBI singles by Clint Robinson and Taylor and a 2-run Lansing error. Zach Peterson retired the last 7 he faced for his 2nd win of the season. The teams combined for 11 errors in the game -- 8 by the Lugnuts. Starter Brian Letko took the loss with 2 1/3 IP of 6 runs (3 ER) to fall to 1-2. LF Jon Baksh was 2-4 with a double, his 1st homer, and an RBI and RS. C Jonathan Jaspe also homered for Lansing.

The Bees are 13-10 and 3 games back. Game 2 of the set is today as Eduardo Paulino started for Burlington but was pulled after 2 outs in the 1st. That means a likely injury, unfortunately. Hopefully, if so, it's minor. Mike Moustakas also is out of the starting lineup for game 5 in a row today.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Missoula 9, Chukars 5

3B Van De Keere 2-4, HR (2), RBI (7), RS -- .246
1B Espinosa 1-3, HBP, HR, 3 RBI (4), K, RS -- .152, first pro longball
DH Testa 1-4, RBI (4), 3 K -- .194
CF Norris 1-5, 2B (3), 2 K -- .224
SS Alfaro 1-5, 2 K -- .328
LF Griffin 0-4 -- .212
RF Francis 1-3, BB, 2B (6), K, RS -- .322
C McCauley 1-4, RS -- .227

Toribio 3 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 3 K -- L, 0-3, 5.40 ERA
Miller 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB -- 9.00 ERA
Novakowski 2 2/3 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K -- 3.60 ERA
Foster IP, 2 ER, H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- 5.06 ERA

*** The Chukars had an early 4-1 lead but the Osprey came back to get their 5th win of the season and snap a 10-game losing streak. Aneidy Toribio gave up a triple and sac fly in the 1st but Tito Espinosa clubbed a 2-out, 3-run homer for his 1st as a pro in the top of the 2nd and Devery Van De Keere made it back-to-back jacks with his 2nd homer of the season to make it 4-1. The Osprey got 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in the 2nd to cut it to 4-3 and got a 2-out, 2-run triple in the 4th to chase Toribio for Steve Miller. Miller gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 5th before getting pulled with IF down, 7-4. Gary Novakowski left the bases loaded in the 7th and Carlo Testa singled home a run in the 8th to cut it to a 2-run lead. John Foster gave up a walk and 2-run homer to the first 2 batters he faced in the 8th and that was "all she wrote" for the Chukars. Starter Rafael Quezada picked up the win for Missoula with 4 ER over 5 IP to move to 2-3. 2B Jacob Elmore was 3-3 with 2 BB, 2 triples, 3 RBI and 2 RS and C Rossmel Perez was 2-2 with 2 walks, a double, 2 RBI and a run scored.

IF is 9-16. The series continues late this afternoon as Bryan Casey (1-1, 2.28) takes on Osprey SP Brett Reynolds (0-1, 4.00).

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 3, Danville 2

LF Aparicio 2-4, 2 RBI (12), K, RS -- .202
1B D. Wood 2-4, 2B (3), RBI (5) -- .290, finding the going better in rookie ball than A ball
CF Caldwell 1-3, 3B (2), RS -- .175
3B F. Cruz 0-3, 3 K -- .175
C Moctezuma 0-3, K -- .217

Runion 5 2/3 IP, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 1-1, 1.69 ERA, gave no-hitter to the pen
J. Rodriguez 1 1/3 IP, 2 BB, K -- 5.73 ERA
Bryant 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 8.53 ERA
Bowden 1 2/3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 1, 0.90 ERA

*** Sam Runion had his best start of the season to date and the pen held on over the last 3 1/3 innings to get the Royals a rare win. Runion faced the minimum through 5 innings and the Royals took the lead in the 4th on an Allen Caldwell triple and Julio Aparicio RBI single. The Royals tacked on 2 runs in the 6th on 2-out RBI hits by Aparicio (a single) and David Wood (a double) to make it 3-0. Runion was pulled with 2 out and 2 on and still no Danville hits in the 6th and the no-hitter held through 7 innings. Carson Bryant came in for the 8th and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk before Barry Bowden finished the inning and the game for his 1st pro save. Danville SP Ross Francis took the loss with an unearned run over 5 innings of work to drop to 1-1. SS Shayne Moody had 1 of the 2 Danville hits and RBI.

The B-Royals are 5-19. The set is finishing this afternoon as John Flanagan started for Burlington.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 6, Rangers 4

DH D. Batista 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (6), 2 RS -- .367
C A. Bonilla 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI -- .250, pitcher took turn behind plate and had nice day
RF Del Rosario 2-4, RBI (6), RS, CS (5) -- .352
SS Espinal 2-4, RS, E (3) -- .212
CF Llanos 1-4, 2B (2), 2 RS -- .193
3B Kuebler 0-4, K, picked off -- .167

M. Peterson IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA, rehabbing
Sample 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 3 BB, 3 K, E, WP -- 8.22 ERA
Sirrett 3 1/3 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 3.75 ERA
Hentges 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 K, WP, balk -- 5.79 ERA
B. Richardson 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, K -- SV, 3, 1.00 ERA

*** A 3-run 6th was key to the Royal win over the Rangers Saturday. Alex Llanos led off the game with a double and scored on a Luis Del Rosario forceout to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Matt Peterson stranded 2 in his lone inning of work on the rehab trail but Tyler Sample ran into trouble in the 3rd with 2 runs allowed on only 1 hit, 2 walks, a Sample throwing error, a wild pitch and hit batsman. The Royals tied it on a run-scoring Ariel Bonilla double play in the 4th and, after Onassis Sirrett stranded 2 in the 5th, the Royals scored 3 in the 6th on a Deivy Batista RBI forceout and 2-run Bonilla triple to make it 5-2. The Rangers threatened again in the 8th and scored 2 runs on 2 hits, a wild pitch, hit batsman and balk off Chase Hentges to cut it to 5-4. Batista gave the Royals some insurance with his 2nd homer of the season to lead off the 9th and Brett Richardson stranded 2 in the 9th for his 3rd save. RP Glenn Swanson took the loss with 4 runs (3 ER) over 5 IP to fall to 0-1. Starter Brandon McCarthy rehabbed for 2 innings and allowed an earned run. LF Jairo Valdez was 3-5 with an RBI and RS and two others had 2 hits for the Rangers.

The Royals moved to 9-8 and won again today over the Cubs. Carlos Fortuna got the win.