Royals on the Farm 7/10

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 6, Nashville 5 (10)

2B Smith 4-5, 2B (18), 3B (7), RS -- .260
CF Maier 3-5, 3B, RBI (34), RS -- .318
RF Stodolka 2-4, BB, K, RS -- .237
DH Buchanan 1-5, 2B (8), 2 RBI (29), 2 K, RS -- .277
1B Shealy 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .280
3B Matranga 1-5, BB, RBI (27) -- .271
C Tupman 0-4, SF, RBI (19) -- .217, may be playing himself out of organization
SS Sanchez 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .191
LF Lubanski 1-4, S, 2B (12) -- .241
*Omaha left 12 on base.

D. Hughes 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 6 K, 2 HRA -- 4.91 ERA
Lowery 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB -- 1.91 ERA
Salmon 1 2/3 IP, BB, WP -- BS, 3, W, 6-4, 4.68 ERA

*** The pen gave up a run in the 9th but Chris Lubanski had the big hit in the 10th for Omaha. Dusty Hughes served up a 3-run homer in the 2nd as Sounds RF Brendan Katin continued to burn the Royals. Omaha stranded 2 in the 3rd and 4th but got on the board with a 2-run Brian Buchanan double in the 5th as Matt Tupman lifted a sac fly to tie the game at 3. Hughes retired 13 of 14 before giving up a solo homer in the 6th to give the lead back to Nashville. Mitch Maier singled home a run to tie it in the 6th and Jason Smith tripled and scored on a passed ball in the 7th to give Omaha a 5-4 lead. The Sounds loaded the bases off Devon Lowery with 1 out in the 9th and Brad Salmon came in and gave up a sac fly but stranded 2. Salmon stranded 2 in the 10th as well and, in the bottom of the inning, Mike Stodolka led off with a single and moved to third on Lubanski's 1-out double. Dave Matranga hit into a fielder's choice as Stodolka scored to give Omaha the walk-off win. RP Ben Howard took the loss with an ER in 1 1/3 IP to fall to 2-5. Starter Richie Gardner allowed 3 ER over 5 innings. 1B Brad Nelson and C Vinny Rottino had 2-hit games for Nashville and Katin had his 14th homer and 3 RBI.

Omaha is 44-49. I'll let you know when they're back within 10 games of the division lead. A 4-game set at the Memphis Redbirds (51-43, AAA Cards) starts tonight. Matt Wright (3-5, 6.06) starts for Omaha against a TBA Memphis starter. The Royals are 3-4 versus Memphis. The Royals claimed RP Josh Newman off waivers from Colorado and put him on the 40-man as Ryan Braun was shuffled to the 60-day DL. He'll (Newman will) report to Omaha.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 11, Springfield 10

1B Kaaihue 2-3, 2 BB, GW HR (23), 4 RBI (62), K, 3 RS -- .309, I fear for Mike Stodolka
LF Falu 2-4, 2B (5), 3 RBI (23), RS, CS (6) -- .263
3B Richardson 2-4, BB, 2B (20), 2 RBI (41), 2 K, RS -- .294
SS Lisson 2-5, 2B (13), 2 RS, E (16) -- .223
RF McFall 1-4, HR (11), 2 RBI (36), 3 K, RS, E (2) -- .245
CF Duarte 1-4, BB, 2 RS -- .253

R. Hardy 4 2/3 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 7 H, K, 2 HRA -- 5.56 ERA
Nicoll 2 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 2 H, 3 K -- 3.00 ERA
Plummer IP, H, K -- W, 2-1, 4.81 ERA
C. Hayes 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H -- 1.99 ERA
Hamulack 2/3 IP, H, K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

*** The Naturals made it 27 runs in the last 2 games as a remarkable 5-run 9th capped the win. Rowdy Hardy gave up a 2-run homer in the 1st but Irving Falu hit an RBI groundout in the 2nd to cut the lead in half. Kila Kaaihue singled home a run and Falu hit a 2-run single in the 4th to make it 4-2 Naturals but Springfield tied it in the bottom of the inning on 2 doubles and 2 Naturals errors. NWA moved back ahead in the 5th as Juan Richardson hit a 2-out, bases-loaded single to bring home 2 runs to make it 6-4. Hardy couldn't hold the lead, tho, as he gave up another 2-run homer in the 5th to retie it. Chris Nicoll gave up 3 runs on 2 hits, a sac fly and Cody Clark catcher interference to make it 9-6 Cards in the 6th. Fernando Salas came in to pitch the 9th for Springfield and, after Falu led off with a double, Brian McFall (fresh off the DL) smoked a 2-run homer to left for his 11th of the season. With 2 on and 2 out, Kaaihue stepped up and mashed a Salas pitch for a 3-run homer for his 23rd of the season and the Naturals had an 11-9 lead. With 2 on and 1 out in the 9th, Tim Hamulack was brought in and gave up an RBI single but stranded 2 to lock in his 1st save of the season. Salas blew his 6th save and took the loss with 5 ER in 2/3 IP to drop to 4-2. Starter Jess Todd allowed 6 ER over 4 2/3 IP to balloon his ERA to 2.31. 3B Allen Craig and C Matt Pagnozzi (Tom's nephew) both had 3 hits and 2 RBI for the Cards. 1B Andy Brown had 2 hits and 2 RBI.

The Naturals are 10-9 and 2.5 games out while on their 5-game win streak. Game 2 is tonight as NWA sends Blake Johnson (7-6, 4.37) to the mound vs. Springfield's Adam Daniels (1-3, 7.27). OF Brian McFall was activated from the DL and the Royals have released IF/OF Geraldo Valentin. Valentin, 25, was hitting .250 for the Nats. I guess he wasn't really likely to go anywhere, but I don't see why you let him go and keep 29-year-old Cory Aldridge, who you just got out of the independent leagues and is thus far hitting .190, or 31-year-old P Tim Hamulack. But whatever....

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Potomac 2

C Howell 1-3, 2B (14), 2 RBI (31), RS -- .258
1B Seratelli 2-3, RBI (39), CS (6) -- .204
CF D. Robinson 2-4, picked off -- .240
SS McConnell 0-4, 2 K -- .276
RF Dickerson 0-3, HBP, SB (24) -- .299
DH Correll 1-3, BB, 2B (2), K, RS -- .238
LF Strait 1-2, BB, K, RS -- .346
3B J. Johnson 0-3, 2 K -- .266
2B Bianchi 0-3 -- .234

Teaford 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 5-2, 3.23 ERA, having nice season
Hartsock 2 IP, H, K -- 4.06 ERA
Barrera 1/3 IP, BB, K -- 2.75 ERA
Chambliss 2/3 IP, K -- SV, 15, 3.20 ERA

*** A fine pitching performance all-around helped the Rocks take another game from the Nationals. All 3 Rocks runs came in the 2nd as Jeff Howell hit a 2-out, 2-run double and Anthony Seratelli singled Howell home to make it 3-0. Everett Teaford gave up a run on 2 hits in the 3rd and then a run on a walk and hit in the 3rd but the Rocks would retire 13 of the next 15 Nats into the 9th. Tyler Chambliss came in with 1 on and 1 out that inning and shut the door for his 15th save. P-Nats starter Jeff Mandel took the loss with 3 ER over 5 1/3 IP to drop to 3-2. Four Nats had a hit each.

The Rocks are 9-11 and 3 games back. The series wraps tonight as Wilmington goes for the sweep. Probable starters: Rocks left-hander Paul Mildren (0-1, 3.27) vs. Potomac righty Luis Atilano (0-0, 3.06).

A - Burlington: Bees 6, Great Lakes 0

Moustakas DNP....hmm, haven't heard of injury or illness
C Balduf 1-4, HR, 2 RBI (3), K, RS -- .191
LF Lough 2-4, HR (7), RBI (37), 2 RS -- .266
RF Walton 2-4, 2B (11), RBI (28), RS -- .228
CF Ortiz 0-5, K -- .314
2B Giavotella 0-3, BB, K -- .330
DH C. Robinson 0-4, K -- .243
1B Taylor 0-1, 3 BB, K, RS, SB (28) -- .209

Caldera 7 2/3 IP, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- W, 7-6, 3.07 ERA, good outing
Chavez 1 1/3 IP, H, K -- SV, 3, 2.84 ERA

*** Alex Caldera and Chris Chavez combined on a 7-hit shutout as the Bees took game 2 from the Loons. Jason Taylor was thrown out at home in the 2nd and Caldera left the bases full that inning but the game stayed scoreless until the 5th when Jamar Walton doubled and scored on a Todd Balduf fielder's choice. The Bees added 2 in the 6th as Taylor walked and scored on a wild pitch and Walton singled home a run to make it 3-0. The Loons didn't really threaten after the 2nd and Burlington added 3 runs in the 9th on a solo shot by David Lough for his 7th of the season and a 2-run shot by Balduf for his 1st of the season. Loons starter Justin Miller took the loss with 3 ER over 6 IP as he walked 6 in dropping to 3-7. RF Alfredo Silverio was 3-4 for the Loons.

The Bees are 12-9 and 1.5 games back. The Bees go for the sweep tonight as Matt Mitchell (5-7, 4.06) squares off with Great Lakes' Victor Garate (5-3, 2.06).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 3, Helena 0 (1-hitter)

SS Jimenez 1-4, HR, RBI (8), RS, E (7) -- .268
C Graterol 1-3, BB, RBI (4), CS, PB (3) -- .259
2B A. Perez 1-4, RBI (13), K -- .234
CF Norris 1-4, 3B, RS -- .237
LF Griffin 1-3, BB, K -- .221
RF Francis 1-3, BB, 2B (5) -- .321
DH Testa 0-4, 3 K -- .217
1B Espinosa 0-4 -- .143

Hodgson 5 IP, H, 4 BB, 3 K -- W, 1-3, 3.68 ERA
Beach 2 IP, 2 BB, 5 K -- 9.35 ERA
B. Hardy 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 1, 6.55 ERA

*** The first batter of the game singled for Helena but the Brewers were kept out of the hitting department the rest of the game by Ivor Hodgson and 2 relievers. Instead, the three pitchers walked a combined 7 batters but kept the Brew Crew off the scoreboard. Juan Graterol singled home a run and Patrick Norris tripled and scored on an Alwin Perez single to make it 2-0 IF in the 3rd. Antonio Jimenez led off the 4th with his 1st homer for the Chukars to make it 3-0, and it was all up to the pitching staff after that. The Brewers didn't get a runner past second as Colby Beach and Blaine Hardy finished off the 1-hitter. Helena SP Nick Tyson took the loss with 2 ER in 3 IP to fall to 0-1. 3B John Delaney had Helena's only hit.

IF is 8-15 and 9 games out. The series concludes tonight. Probable starters are Ryan Morgan (0-1, 2.31) and Helena's Brandon Ritchie (0-1, 4.50).

Rookie - Burlington: Greeneville 7, B-Royals 6

DH H. Richardson 2-5, 2 RS -- .284
RF McFadden 2-5, HR, RBI (2), K, RS -- .150, first pro homer
SS J. Gutierrez 2-4, 2 K -- .273
1B D. Wood 1-5, 2 RBI (4), RS -- .259
C Moctezuma 1-3, BB, RBI (6), K, PB (6) -- .233
2B A. Franco 1-4, RBI (7), K -- .192
CF Caldwell 1-4, BB, 2B (4), 2 K -- .164
3B Morales 1-5, RS, E (3) -- .250

Herrera 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 K, balk -- L, 1-1, 1.67 ERA
Halliman 1 2/3 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, K, WP -- 10.38 ERA
Bowden 1 1/3 IP, H, 2 K -- 1.08 ERA

*** Five late runs weren't enough for the B-Royals as Greeneville got the sweep with the 7-6 win. Warren McFadden led off the 4th with his 1st pro homer and the Royals had a 1-0 lead. The Royals left the bases full in the 5th and the Astros finally got to Kelvin Herrera in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs on 4 hits and a balk. Pernell Halliman came in for the 6th and gave up 3 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks and a wild pitch and then was pulled for Barry Bowden with 2 on and 2 out in the 7th. Bowden allowed a 2-run single after a third-strike passed ball kept the inning alive. Astros RP Arcenio Leon had sat down all 7 batters he faced into the 8th when the Royals finally got a rally going. With 2 out, David Wood hit an RBI single and scored on an error before Angel Franco and Miguel Moctezuma singled home runs to cut the lead to 7-5. The Royals had 2 in scoring position and 1 out in the 9th when the Astros brought in RP Patrick Urckfitz, who gave up a Wood RBI groundout but got Jason Morales to fly out to end the game for his 2nd save. Leon got the win with 3 IP of 4 runs (1 ER) to move to 2-0. Starter Jordan Lyles allowed an ER over 4 2/3 IP. 3B Ebert Rosario and RF Renzo Tello had 3 hits for the 'Stros and Tello added 3 RBI. SS Jorge De Leon had 2 hits and 2 RBI.

Burlington is 4-18 and on a 5-game skid. A 3-game set at the Danville Braves (15-8) starts tonight. The Royals are 2-3 versus the Braves. No announced starters on the team site.

Rookie - AZL: Angels 10, Royals 0 (2-hitter)

CF Llanos 1-3, K, SB (2) -- .189
2B D. Batista 1-3, 2 K -- .256
RF Del Rosario 0-2 -- .340
3B Kuebler 0-3 -- .182
C Matos 0-2, E -- .154

Liotta IP, K -- 0.00 ERA, first rehab stint and organizational debut
A. Martinez 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- 6.75 ERA
Hodge 1 1/3 IP, 8 ER, 6 H, 4 BB -- L, 0-2, 15.95 ERA, torched
Cuevas 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K -- 9.64 ERA

*** Mitch Hodge got the Charlie Brown treatment on the mound as the Angels won easily. Ray Liotta pitched a perfect 1st in his first game back from arm surgery and Angel Martinez followed with 2 solid innings of work. Hodge came in for the 4th and the Angels wasted no time in pounding out 4 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, a wild pitch and error. The Royals got a runner to third in the 5th but only had 1 baserunner thereafter. The Angels continued to whale on Hodge with 5 runs in the 5th on 2 hits, 2 walks and a wild pitch off Hodge and a triple, hit batsman and wild pitch off Gary Cuevas. Cuevas allowed another run in the 8th. Starter Manuel Flores allowed only 2 hits with 6 Ks over 7 IP to improve to 2-2. Four Angels had 2-hit games as 2B Kevin Ramos knocked in 5 runs and LF Raddy Sierra had 3 RBI.

The Royals are 8-8 and 3.5 games out. They had today off.