Royals on the Farm 7/17

AAA - Omaha: all-star break

*** The 45-52 O-Royals start a 4-day, 5-game home set with the Round Rock Express (44-54, AAA Astros) tonight. They are 8-3 versus Round Rock this season. Probable starters: Clubhouse lardjar...er, cancer Express RH Runelvys Hernandez (6-4, 4.06) vs. RH Brandon Duckworth (3-9, 4.34).

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 9, Arkansas 4

CF Falu 3-4, RBI (25), RS -- .257
1B Kaaihue 1-4, BB, 2B (9), RBI (66), 2 RS -- .304
RF Aldridge 2-4, 2B, RBI (5), RS -- .200
3B Lucas 2-3, BB, RBI (18), RS -- .304
C Donachie 1-3, BB, RBI (21) -- .217
2B Maddox 2-5, 2B (21), RS -- .296
DH Richardson 2-5, RS -- .299
* LF Ovandy Suero stole his 35th base.

Nunez 2 IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, rehab continues
Bale IP, 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, K -- 5.40 ERA, ditto, no report on if any walls were punched after he left
B. Johnson 6 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, K, E (3), pickoff -- W, 8-6, 4.19 ERA

*** The Naturals surged in the 7th and swept the Travelers. A Mario Lisson double play ball scored Ovandy Suero in the 1st but, after Leo Nunez pitched 2 perfect innings, John Bale allowed the tying run on 3 hits in the 3rd before getting pulled for Blake Johnson. Johnson stranded 2 and the game stayed tied at a 1 into the 6th when Kila Kaaihue doubled and scored on a Travs error (bowling over the Travs' catcher to knock the ball loose in the process) and Ed Lucas singled in a run to make it 3-1 NWA. Two errors helped Lisson to third with 1 out in the 7th when an odd thing happened as Kaaihue was intentionally walked but a ball got past the Travs catcher and Lisson scored. Irving Falu hit an RBI single and Cory Aldridge doubled home a run before two more errors on a ball hit by Lucas scored another run. The rally ended after Adam Donachie singled in a run to put NWA up, 8-1. Kaaihue hit an RBI groundout in the 8th to make it 9-1 before Johnson made an error that helped lead to 3 Arkansas runs in the 9th. He finished it off, tho, for his 8th win. Travs SP Robert Mosebach allowed 8 R (3 ER) over 6 2/3 IP to fall to 8-8. The Travs made 5 errors. LF Brian Stavisky was 3-4 with an RBI and run scored.

NWA is 16-10 and 2 games up on first while riding a 6-game win streak. A 4-game set at the Springfield Cardinals (14-12) starts tonight as Dan Cortes (4-3, 3.82) takes on Cards ace Jess Todd (2-3, 2.31). The Nats are 12-8 versus Springfield on the season. The Nats have already surpassed the best season attendance total the franchise ever had in Wichita with 250,000 fans and counting. The Wichita record was 236,378 in '93. The team drew 133,000-plus last season. Nunez and Bale were set to continue their rehab in Omaha.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 7, Salem 2

LF Dyson 3-4, RBI (17), RS, SB (31) -- .234
1B Correll 2-5, HR (2), RBI (5), 2 RS, E (2) -- .318
2B Bianchi 2-3, SF, 2 RBI (41) -- .238
3B J. Johnson 2-3, BB, SF, 2B (11), RBI (28), K, 2 RS -- .271
SS McConnell 1-5, RBI (22), K -- .276
CF D. Robinson 1-5 -- .245
RF Strait 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (3), K, RS, OF assist at home -- .311
DH Mertins 0-4, BB, K, RS -- .304

Cegarra 8 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K, pickoff -- W, 3-4, 4.43 ERA, very nice
Holland IP, 2 ER, 3 H -- 3.86 ERA

*** Ed Cegarra handed a 5-hit shutout to the pen in the 9th and 2 measly Salem runs in the final frame made no difference. Brad Correll socked his 2nd homer as a Rock with 2 out in the 1st and Chris McConnell singled home a run in the 3rd to put the Rocks up, 2-0. Kurt Mertins scored on a Jeff Bianchi sac fly in the 4th and Josh Johnson scored on a double play ball to make it 4-0. The Blue Rocks loaded the bases with no outs in the 6th and Dyson singled home a run but the Rocks stranded 2. Johnson hit a sac fly and Bianchi singled home a run in the 7th to make it 7-0 and, after Cody Strait nailed a runner at the plate to end the 8th, Greg Holland allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in the 9th but finished it. Salem starter Sergio Severino took the loss with 4 runs (3 ER) over 3-plus IP to fall to 0-2. C Kevin Carkeek was 3-4 with an RBI and K and 1B James Van Ostrand also had 2 hits for the 'Lanche.

Wilmington is 12-14 and 3 games out. The series continues tonight. Starters: southpaw Paul Mildren (0-2, 5.40) vs. Salem lefty Douglas Arguello (6-3, 2.84). Joe Dickerson was put on the DL with his broken finger and RH Chris Chavez got the call up from Burlington.

A - Burlington: Quad Cities 5, Bees 2

DH Moustakas 0-4 -- .241, back after 7 games out
1B C. Robinson 2-3, BB, HR (10), 2 RBI (35), RS -- .235
CF Ortiz 1-4, 2 K -- .310
2B Giavotella 1-4 -- .325
3B Taylor 1-4, K, SB (32) -- .209
LF Lough 1-4, 3B (9), K, RS -- .266
RF Van Stratten 1-4, 2 K -- .345

Mitchell 4 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, K, 2 HRA, E (5) -- L, 5-8, 4.15 ERA
Augustine 4 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K -- 3.07 ERA

*** Burlington tied the game momentarily in the 5th but it didn't take long until the Bandits were back on top for good Thursday. Matt Mitchell allowed a leadoff homer in the 3rd and another run on a hit and throwing error to spot the Bandits a 2-0 lead. After David Lough led off the 5th with his 9th triple of the season, Clint Robinson cranked his 10th homer of the campaign for a 2-run shot to tie the game. Mitchell couldn't capitalize on the momentum as he gave up a leadoff homer in the bottom of the 5th (2B Ross Oeder's 2nd of the game) and Joe Augustine gave up a 2-out, 2-run double later in the inning to make it 5-2 QC. The Bees didn't get another runner past second. Bandits SP Chuckie Fick allowed 2 ER over 6 IP to win and improve to 3-2 and RP Pete Parise got his 9th save. Oeder was 2-3 with 2 HR (4), 2 RBI and 2 RS, 3B (and '08 draftee) Brett Wallace was 3-3 with a walk, double, triple and RS, and RF Adron Chambers was 2-4 with a double and 2 RS.

Burlington is 14-13 and 4 games out. The series ends tonight as Danny Gutierrez (1-1, 2.14) takes on QC SP Josh Wilson (1-3, 3.77). Righty Luis Cota has taken Chavez's roster slot, and righty Tim Huber has also joined the Bees as Zach Peterson was put on the DL.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena 10, Chukars 7

C McCauley 3-5, 2B (6), RBI (8), K, 2 RS -- .273
2B F. Garcia 3-4, 2B (4), SB (7) -- .328
RF Francis 2-5, 2B (7), RBI (18), 3 K, RS -- .316
3B Jimenez 2-5, RBI (11), RS -- .304
DH Testa 2-5, RBI (6), 2 K, RS -- .213
1B Van De Keere 1-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (10), RS -- .263, DVDK hitting well lately
CF Norris 0-5, 3 K -- .235
SS Alfaro 0-5, K -- .277
LF Griffin 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (4), 2 K, RS -- .220

Morgan 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA -- 5.74 ERA
M. Peterson IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA, rehabbing
Gilgenbach 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 5 H, BB -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 15.30 ERA
Rada 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, K, WP -- 4.80 ERA
Novakowski IP, H -- 3.38 ERA
B. Hardy IP, ER, 2 H, HRA, pickoff -- 6.75 ERA

*** RP Steve Gilgenbach got lit up and the Chukars fell to the Brewers. Ryan Morgan left the bases full of Brewers in the 1st and Devery Van De Keere hit a 2-run homer in the 2nd for his 3rd of the season. Morgan gave up a solo homer in the 3rd and IF stranded 2 in both the 3rd and 4th. Gilgenbach came in for the 5th and his outing went double, single, RBI single, 2-run triple, RBI fielder's choice, walk, sac bunt, RBI single, pulled. Orlando Rada came in and allowed 2 RBI singles before getting out of the inning with the Chukars down, 8-2. IF did strike back with 4 in the 5th on a Nick Francis RBI double, Sean McCauley RBI single, Antonio Jimenez RBI single and Carlo Testa RBI groundout to cut it to 8-6. Rada allowed a run in the 7th and Blaine Hardy allowed a homer to the first batter he faced in the 9th. Antonio Jimenez singled home a run in the 9th but that was all the Chukars could muster. RP Adam Arnold pitched 2 innings of hitless relief for the win to move to 1-1 and RP Wily Peralta got his 2nd save. Starter Liam Ohlmann allowed 2 ER over 3 IP. 2B David Fonseca and C Mike Roberts had 3 hits each for the Brew Crew and 3 others had 2-hit games, including a 2-RBI night from RF Erik Komatsu.

IF is 11-18 and 9 games out. The series ends tonight as Aneidy Toribio (0-3, 5.40) takes on Helena SP Trey Watten (2-0, 4.32).

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 5, Kingsport 3

RF Aparicio 2-3, HBP, 2B (6), RBI (15), 2 RS, SB (5) -- .253
C Vittek 1-4, HR, RBI (4), RS, PB -- .207, first pro homer
DH H. Richardson 1-4, 3B (2), RBI (8), RS -- .264
1B D. Wood 1-4, 2B (6), RBI (9) -- .269
3B F. Cruz 1-4, RBI (8), SB (2) -- .227
CF Caldwell 0-4 -- .198
LF Olson 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .067

Runion 5 IP, 2 H, 2 K, WP -- W, 2-1, 1.15 ERA, looking good
J. Rodriguez 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 4.85 ERA
Roq. Colon IP, 2 ER, H, BB, HRA -- 7.62 ERA
Baez IP, ER, 2 H -- SV, 1, 6.10 ERA

*** The B-Royals won their second straight game as Sam Runion pitched well for his 2nd win. Hilton Richardson led off the Royals 1st with a triple and Julio Aparicio doubled him home before David Wood did the same for Aparicio to make it 2-0 Royals. Richardson hit an RBI groundout in the 2nd and Josh Vittek slammed his 1st professional roundtripper in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Runion handed a 2-hit shutout to the pen in the 6th and RP Jacob Rodriguez left the bases full in the 6th. Roque Colon gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th to lose the shutout but Fernando Cruz singled home an insurance run in the 8th. Manauris Baez allowed a run on 2 hits in the 9th but got his 1st save. Mets SP Guillaume Leduc took the loss with 5 IP of 4 ER allowed to drop to 1-2. OF Rafael Fernandez and DH Dock Doyle both had 2 hits for Kingsport with Fernandez hitting his 1st homer with 2 RBI.

The B-Royals are 8-21. No announced starters for tonight's game 2 on the team site. The Royals had a 17-inning scoreless streak going until Colon gave up the 2-run homer.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 10, Mariners 9

1B Henriquez 3-5, 3 RS, SB (2) -- .180
3B Kuebler 2-5, 2B (3), 2 RBI (6), K, 2 RS -- .211
C J. Bonilla 2-4, BB, RBI (12), RS, SB (4), 2 PB (8) -- .361
RF Del Rosario 2-5, HR (2), RBI (7), RS -- .324
2B Jose 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (6), K, E (2) -- .235
SS Espinal 1-5, RBI (6), K, RS, SB (2), E (4) -- .195
DH D. Batista 1-5, RBI (7), 2 K, RS, SB (6) -- .333
LF Jacobo 0-3, SF, RBI (2) -- .162
CF Llanos 1-5, K, RS, SB (4) -- .189

Fisher 2 IP, 2 H, K -- 6.75 ERA, better in second outing
Hodge 2 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, K -- 16.39 ERA, wonder what's up?
Cuevas 4 IP, ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- W, 2-1, 8.00 ERA
Richardson 2/3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 3 H, K, 2 WP -- 1.86 ERA
Hentges 1/3 IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 5.40 ERA, first pro save

*** The Mariners mounted a furious rally in the 9th but the Royals survived with the win. A 2-run Lifete Jose single in the 2nd gave the Royals a 2-0 lead and Brent Fisher continued his rehab with 2 scoreless IP. Mitch Hodge got hammered again as the M's scored 4 in the 4th on 5 hits and a passed ball. Gary Cuevas left the bases loaded in the 5th and the Royals cashed in in the 6th with 5 runs on a Yowill Espinal RBI single, Deivy Batista RBI single, Jose Bonilla RBI single and 2-run Jake Kuebler single to make it 7-4 Royals. Edwin Henriquez singled and scored on an error in the 8th and Astin Jacobo hit a sac fly to make it 9-4. Cuevas allowed a run on 2 hits and a wild pitch in the 8th but Luis Del Rosario hit his 2nd homer of the season to lead off the 9th and make it 10-5 Royals. Brett Richardson came on for the 9th but had a rough night as his inning went single, 2 wild pitches, run-scoring error, K, RBI double, groundout, RBI triple. Chase Hentges came in and a 4th run scored on an error before he got the final out for his 1st pro save. M's SP Fray Martinez took the loss with 7 ER over 5 1/3 IP to fall to 0-4. RF Robert Rodriguez and LF Joel Mendez had 3 hits for the M's while 3 others had 2-hit games.

The Royals are 12-10 after losing to the Rangers today. Tyler Sample took the loss.