Royals on the Farm 4/29

AAA - Omaha: off day

The O-Royals are 11-8 and 1 1/2 games back of first. A 4-game set at the Nashville Sounds (11-9, AAA Brew Crew) starts tonight as Bruce Chen (0-1, 5.06) squares off with Sounds lefty Lindsay Gulin (1-0, 8.36). The Sounds roster features Milwaukee prospects 3B Mat Gamel (top position prospect, .394 BA, 1.260 OPS, 18 RS, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 12 BB/17 K, 7 E in 19 games and 71 ABs), SS Alcides Escobar (.265/.660, 13 RS, 11 SB, 3 E in 20 games and 83 ABs), C Angel Salome (.182/.524 in 44 ABs), and OF Cole Gillespie (.143/.548, 2 SB in 5 games and only 14 ABs).

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 9, Springfield 8 (12)

3B C. Smith 3-5, HBP, 2B (3), HR (2), 3 RBI (9), 2 K, RS -- .190
1B McFall 2-5, BB, 2B (8), 2 RBI (18), 2 RS -- .238
RF Parraz 1-6, 2 RBI (10), RS -- .321
C Suomi 2-5 -- .324
LF Strait 1-5, S, RBI (3) -- .265
SS McConnell 1-5, S, RBI -- .148
CF Duarte 0-4, 2 BB, 3 K, RS, CS -- .306
2B Mertins 1-4, 2 BB, K, 2 RS -- .268
DH Lisson 0-4, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 RS, CS (2) -- .217
* NWA stranded 11.

B. Wood 1 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- 7.56 ERA, another season of Jekyll and Hyde?
Crist 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K -- 7.56 ERA
Sencion 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 3.45 ERA
Holland 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 3.65 ERA
Nicoll 2 IP, H, 4 K -- W, 2-0, 0.68 ERA

*** The Naturals recovered from an 8-run Springfield 2nd to tie it in the 7th and win in 12 despite going only 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Starter Blake Wood struck out 2 in the 1st but ran into immediate trouble in the 2nd, as his inning went single, wild pitch, single, 2-run triple, RBI single, swinging K, walk, RBI single, RBI single, wild pitch, pulled for Kyle Crist. Crist allowed a 2-run double and RBI single before escaping thanks to a double play with the Nats down, 8-0. The Naturals started clawing their way back in the 3rd as they loaded the bases with 1 out and got a 2-out, 2-run single from Jordan Parraz, a 2-run double from Brian McFall and an RBI single from Cody Strait to cut the lead to 8-5. Carlos Sencion stranded 2 in the 5th and Mario Lisson walked and scored on a Corey Smith double in the bottom of the inning to trim it to 8-6. Smith came up big his next time up as he smoked a 2-run homer to left for his 3rd of the season in the 7th to tie the game at 8. Greg Holland loaded the bases with 1 out in the Springfield 9th but got a timely double play to escape the jam. The Naturals stranded 2 in the 10th but, in the 12th, McFall drew a leadoff walk, was sacrificed to second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a throwing error by P Elvis Hernandez to end the game. Hernandez took the loss with an unearned run on a walk and 2 Ks over 1 1/3 IP to drop to 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA. Starter Brad Furnish allowed 6 ER on 5 hits and 4 walks with 4 Ks over 4 1/3 IP to move his ERA to 4.29. Cards 2B Dan Descalso was 4-6 with his 6th double and 20th RBI along with a K and RS to move to .392. DH Tyler Henley was 3-6 with a triple, 2 RBI (7), K and RS to move to .333, and two other Cards had 2 hits, including 3B Brett Wallace, who was 2-5 with a walk, his 12th RBI, 3 K and a run scored to move to .293. C Steven Hill also had 2 RBI to move to 17 on the season.

The Naturals are 10-9 and a game back of the Cardinals as they go for the sweep tonight. Matt Kniginyzky (0-1, 4.20) is set to start versus Cards righty Tyler Herron (0-1, 9.00).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: rainout

The Rocks are 9-10 and 3 games back. The game will be made up as part of a twinbill today with Potomac. Game 1 pits Mario Santiago (0-2, 8.53) versus Nationals lefty Tom Milone (1-1, 3.45). Game 2 will see Everett Teaford (2-0, 2.20) take on Potomac righty Jeff Mandel (1-1, 3.78).

A - Burlington: Peoria 9, Bees 0

2B F. Garcia 2-4, 2B -- .500, season debut
SS Alfaro 1-4, 2B -- .182
1B Hosmer 0-2, 2 BB -- .200, .310 OBP, 10 BB/21 K in 60 AB
RF Francis 0-3, 2 K -- .339
DH McCauley 1-3, BB -- .173
C S. Perez 0-3, BB, E (2) -- .108, he's struggling, but he isn't even 19 until May 10
CF Norris 1-4, OF assists at home and third -- .196

Runion 5 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, K, HRA -- L, 1-3, 9.47 ERA, only had 1 start with ERA under 10 and less than 8 hits allowed
J. Garcia 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 K -- 1.69 ERA
Bowden IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, K, HRA -- 2.70 ERA

*** The Bees offense struggled again as Burlington was shut out for a second straight game and Sam Runion got drilled in the opener with Peoria. Runion had trouble getting through the 2nd as only a Patrick Norris assist from center at the plate helped end the inning to shut down a potential rally. He wasn't as lucky in the 3rd as the Chiefs churned out 4 runs on 3 hits plus a 2-run homer by LF Kyler Burke for his 2nd of the season. The Chiefs rallied for another run on a 2-out rally of 2 hits and a walk in the 4th, scored a run on 2 hits in the 5th, and then got another run off RP Justin Garcia on 2 hits in the 6th to make it 7-0. The Bees stranded 2 in the 7th but usually didn't have more than one baserunner per inning. They stranded 2 in the 8th again and then Barry Bowden gave up a 2-run homer to pinch-hitter Mario Mercedes for his 1st of the season to make it 9-0 in the 9th. The Bees didn't threaten in the 9th as RP Mike Perconte picked up the 3-inning save for his 1st of the season. Chiefs SP Alberto Cabrera got the win with 4 hits and 2 walks allowed with 2 Ks over 6 IP to improve to 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA. CF Tony Campana was 3-3 for Peoria with 2 walks, his 1st triple, his 5th RBI, 3 RS and 2 SB (10) out of the leadoff spot to move his BA to .280. Three other Chiefs had 2 hits, including DH Josh Vitters, who hit his 2nd double and scored a run to improve to .317. 1B Rebel Ridling (great name) was 1-5 with his 8th double and 2 RBI (20) in dropping to .305. Burke's 2 RBI gave him 9 on the season.

The Bees are 5-13. Game 2 is tonight as Luis Cota (0-1, 3.00) faces Peoria righty Aaron Shafer (2-1, 3.18).

Royals on the Farm 4/28

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, Oklahoma City 1

1B Ka'aihue 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (4) -- .217
C House 1-4, RBI (14), K -- .347
DH Shealy 1-2, BB, 2B (5), RBI (8), K, RS -- .348
RF Falu 1-3, 2B (2), RBI (4) -- .276
2B Hulett 0-4, 2 K, E (3) -- .357
3B Metcalf 1-4, K -- .286
LF Lubanski 0-4, RS, SB (5), OF assist at third -- .288

Duckworth 5 IP, ER, 3 H, 5 BB, 4 K, 2 WP -- W, 1-1, 7.16 ERA, about as good as it gets from Duckworth
Colon 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- 3.21 ERA
Rosa IP, H, K, WP -- SV, 2, 3.27 ERA

*** Omaha scratched out the win to take 2 of 3 from the RedHawks in the rain-plagued set. Brandon Duckworth allowed a run on 2 hits and a wild pitch in the 1st but a Chris Lubanski OF assist at third via SS Luis Hernandez helped cut the rally short. Duckworth left 2 in scoring position in the 2nd and the O-Royals jumped ahead in their half on 2-out RBI doubles by Ryan Shealy and Irving Falu to make it 2-1 Omaha. Duckworth came away unscathed from 3 walks in the 3rd and then stranded the bases loaded in the 4th. The O-Royals loaded the bases with 1 out in their half of the 4th but also could make nothing of it. J.R. House did add some insurance with an RBI single in the 5th and the bullpen took it from there. Carlos Rosa stranded a runner at third in the 9th in notching his 2nd save. OC starter Elizardo Ramirez took the loss with 5 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) on 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 Ks to drop to 0-3 with a 3.98 ERA. CF Julio Borbon was 3-4 with a walk, his 4th double, a K, RS and his 1st error to improve to .304. 3B Esteban German was 1-3 with a walk, his 2nd double, 6th RBI and 4th SB to move to .281.

The O-Royals are 11-8 and 1 1/2 games back of Iowa. They have today off as they are making their first trip to Nashville this season. I'm of the thought that the Royals should just trade either Shealy (much preferably) or Butler at this point because of the 1B depth right now. Maybe the Royals could get a viable SS out of it, or another pitching prospect. Shealy makes sense because he's not on the 40-man right now, he's got Ka'aihue and Butler in his way, he's still got some potential. Arizona is in the weak NL West and has 37-year old Tony Clark hitting .167 and Chad Tracy not hitting well there, tho they do have Conor Jackson in the OF who can play first. Jason Giambi isn't young and isn't exactly killing the ball in Oakland. Seattle has Russ Branyan and Mike Sweeney splitting time. You'd think Shealy could match Kendry Morales in Anaheim. Surely there's a match there somewhere.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 3, Springfield 1

C Suomi 2-3, HR (3), RBI (6), RS, CS (2) -- .310
3B J. Johnson 2-4, K, CS (2), E (2) -- .161
LF Dickerson 1-3, BB, 2B (3), RBI (7), picked off -- .214
1B C. Smith 0-3, SF, RBI (6) -- .162
CF Duarte 1-3, BB, RS -- .328
SS Lisson 0-3, BB, K, SB (3) -- .232
DH Mertins 0-3, BB, K -- .269
2B McConnell 0-2, BB -- .136

B. Johnson 6 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- W, 1-2, 4.95 ERA, very nice start, not many Ks but I'm not gonna crab about that line, left with blister on finger
Hayes 2 IP, UER, H -- 1.69 ERA
Marte IP, H, K -- SV, 2, 2.45 ERA

*** Blake Johnson had his best start in a while and the Nats took another game from Springfield. NW Arkansas loaded the bases with none out in the 1st and Corey Smith hit a sac fly but that was all the Naturals would get in the inning. Joe Dickerson came through with a 2-out RBI double in the 3rd to make it 2-0 and John Suomi led off the 4th with his 3rd homer of the season to make it 3-0. Johnson took a perfect game into the 6th then lost it on a double before stranding runners at the corners. Chris Hayes gave up an unearned run in the 7th on a Josh Johnson error and RBI single but recovered to strand 2. Victor Marte stranded 1 in the 9th for his 2nd save. Starter Brandon Dickson took the loss for the Cardinals with 5 1/3 IP of 3 ER allowed on 6 hits and 4 walks with 2 Ks to fall to 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA. Three Cardinals had a hit each in the loss. 2B Daniel Descalso was 1-4 with his 19th RBI and 3rd error to drop to .368. 3B Brett Wallace was 0-4 to drop to .286.

NWA is 9-9 and 2 games back of the Cards. Game 3 is tonight as Blake Wood (1-0, 4.11) tries to make it 2 good starts in a row versus Springfield lefty Brad Furnish (1-0, 2.16). Blake Johnson's 16 retired in a row on Tuesday set a new NWA record, eclipsing the previous mark of 13.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Potomac 7, Blue Rocks 6

SS Bianchi 2-3, BB, RBI (11), RS, SB (4), E (4) -- .319
1B C. Robinson 2-3, BB, 2B (8), RBI (13), RS -- .373, still down in 7 slot
2B Giavotella 2-5, 3B, 2 RS -- .217
3B Moustakas 0-1 -- .288, pulled after popout in 1st
3B Seratelli 1-2, SF, RBI (8), K, RS, E (3) -- .281
CF D. Robinson 0-5, RBI (8), picked off -- .233
RF Lough 1-3, HBP, K, picked off -- .318
LF Ortiz 1-4, OF assist at third -- .250

Paulino 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 2 HRA -- 6.75 ERA, not good day for WHIP
Liotta 2 IP, 2 BB, 2 K -- 6.43 ERA
Villa 1 1/3 IP, 2 UER, 3 H, K -- L, 0-2, 2.63 ERA

*** The Rocks came back from a 5-1 deficit to take a late lead but some defensive letdowns fueled a Potomac comeback win. Mike Moustakas popped out to end the Rocks 1st and was pulled on a manager's decision. Game story doesn't mention any injury. Eduardo Paulino got off to a poor start as SS Danny Espinosa clubbed a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 1st of the season. Paulino allowed another run on 3 hits and a walk in the 2nd to make it 3-0 Potomac. Clint Robinson led off the Rocks 3rd with a double and scored on a Derrick Robinson forceout to get Wilmington on the board. Paulino gave up a 2-run homer to DH Jesus Valdez (his 2nd) in the 5th and was pulled for Ray Liotta, who didn't allow a hit in his 2 innings of work. The Rocks rallied for 3 in the 7th on a Johnny Giavotella triple, Anthony Seratelli sac fly, Paulo Orlando run-scoring double aided by a Potomac error, and Clint Robinson RBI single that cut the lead to 5-4. Kelvin Villa got the last out to strand 2 in the 7th and the Rocks rallied again as Jeff Bianchi singled home the tying run and a passed ball allowed Seratelli to score with the lead run to make it 6-5 Rocks. Wilmington left the bases loaded and Villa had 1 on with 2 out in the 8th when consecutive throwing errors by Seratelli and Bianchi resulted in 2 runs scoring to swing the lead back to the Nationals. The Rocks went down in order in the 9th as RP Atahualpa Severino got his 3rd save. RP Dan Leatherman got the win despite 2 ER allowed on 4 hits and a walk with 2 Ks over an IP for his 1st blown save, but he moved to 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA. Starter William Atwood allowed 3 ER on 4 hits and a walk with a K over 6 1/3 IP to drop his ERA to 11.65. Five Nationals had 2 hits, as Valdez moved to .273 and picked up 2 RBI for 9 on the season and Espinosa had 2 RBI with his homer to move to 8 RBI. RF Michael Burgess was 2-4 with a run scored, his 5th SB and an OF assist at second to move to .200.

The Rocks are 9-10 and 3 1/2 games back of Lynchburg. Game 2 is tonight as Mario Santiago (0-2, 8.43) faces Nationals lefty Tom Milone (1-1, 3.45).

A - Burlington: Clinton 1, Bees 0

1B Hosmer 2-4, 2 K -- .207
LF D. Wood 1-3, 2B (2) -- .222
CF Tucker 1-3, 2B (3) -- .176, that's all the Bees' hits
SS Alfaro 0-4, 2 K -- .176
RF Francis 0-4, K -- .356
C McCauley 0-3, K -- .163

Baez 4 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, K, 2 WP -- 2.57 ERA
B. Hardy 4 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 8 K -- 2.89 ERA, needed some run support

*** Both offenses were sluggish but the LumberKings rallied in the 9th for the 1-0 win. The Bees had hits in each of the first 3 innings but couldn't get a run home. Manauris Baez stranded 2 in both the 1st and 2nd and did so again in the 4th before getting pulled for Blaine Hardy to start the 5th. Clinton SP Brett Lorin retired 11 straight at one point and Hardy kept pace into the 9th, having retired all 12 he faced. Hardy gave up a leadoff double in the bottom of the 9th but would get a fielder's choice at the plate to keep the Bees alive with a man at first and 2 outs. SS Terry Serrano came through with the gamebreaking double as the runner scored from first to end the game. RP Steven Hensley got the win with 2 perfect innings of relief to move to 4-0 with a spotless ERA. Lorin allowed only 4 hits with 5 Ks over his 7 IP to drop his ERA to 0.75. Serrano was the only 'King with 2 hits as he was 2-3 with a walk, his 1st double and 8th RBI along with his 4th SB to move to .242.

The Bees are 5-12. A 3-game home set with the Peoria Chiefs (9-8, A Cubs) starts tonight as Sam Runion (1-2, 9.00) faces Chiefs righty Alberto Cabrera (0-1, 8.31). The Chiefs roster features Cubbie prospects 3B Josh Vitters (top position prospect, .309 BA, .774 OPS, 4 E in 15 games and 55 ABs), SS Ryan Flaherty (.304/.918 in 46 ABs), righty Aaron Shafer (2-1, 3.18 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 1 BB/13 K in 17 IP), SS Junior Lake (.196/.586, 16 K, 6 E in 16 games and 46 ABs), and righty Chris Carpenter (1-1, 2.25, 1.05, 11 BB/21 K in 20 IP).

Royals on the Farm 4/27

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 8, Oklahoma City 1 (7/G1)

2B Hulett 2-3, BB, 2B (9), 3 RBI (20), RS, SB -- .385
LF Lubanski 2-3, BB, 2B (5), 2 RBI (10), RS -- .318, both he and Tug had clutch hits
SS Hernandez 1-2, BB, 2 RBI (12), RS -- .339
RF Aldridge 0-2, HBP, RBI (12), 2 K -- .241
C House 0-3, BB, K -- .353
1B Ka'aihue 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS -- .182
3B Metcalf 0-4, K -- .286
DH Shealy 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RS -- .355

Hochevar 6 IP, UER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K, E -- W, 4-0, 1.44 ERA, leads PCL in wins
Hamulack IP, H, 2 K -- 7.88 ERA

*** The O-Royals battered Rangers prospect Neftali Feliz and Luke Hochevar was sharp as Omaha took the opener of the twinbill. Omaha stranded 2 in the 2nd and a Hochevar error helped lead to the RedHawks' only run in the 3rd. The Royals responded with a 5-run rally in the bottom of the 3rd as Chris Lubanski hit a bases-loaded, 2-out, 2-run double, Cory Aldridge was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Luis Hernandez followed with a 2-run single off reliever Thomas Diamond to make it 5-0. Hochevar worked around a leadoff triple in the 5th and the Royals salted it further away with 3 runs in the 5th on a bases-loaded, 2-out, 3-run double by Tug Hulett to make it 8-1. Tim Hamulack stranded 1 in the 7th to finish the twinbill-shortened game. Feliz took the loss with 5 runs, all unearned, allowed on 3 hits and 4 walks with 3 Ks over 2 2/3 IP to drop to 1-1 with a 4.30 ERA. RF Greg Golson was 2-3 with his 1st triple to move to .353. 3B Esteban German drove in his 5th run but was 0-2 to drop to .278.

Oklahoma City 2, O-Royals 1 (7/G2)

DH Ka'aihue 2-3, 3B, K, RS -- .207
LF Lubanski 0-3, RBI (11), CS -- .304
3B Metcalf 1-3, K, E (2) -- .288
1B Shealy 0-2, HBP, 2 K -- .344
SS Hernandez 1-2, CS -- .345

Phillips 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- L, 1-2, 6.38 ERA
Atencio IP, 3 K -- 5.40 ERA, very nice
Hughes IP, K -- 1.17 ERA

*** A 2-run 1st was enough for the RedHawks and SP Doug Mathis to get the win. Heath Phillips had 1 on with 2 out in the 1st when a steal, walk and double steal were followed by a 2-run single by C Max Ramirez to make it 2-0 Oklahoma City. Omaha stranded 2 in scoring position in the 1st but Kila Ka'aihue led off the 4th with a triple and scored on a Chris Lubanski groundout to cut the lead in half. Lubanski got caught stealing in a strike-em-out/throw-em-out double play to end the inning and Luis Hernandez was caught on the basepaths the next inning to spoil possible rallies. The O-Royals went down in order in the 7th as Mathis got the complete-game win with 7 IP of an ER allowed on 6 hits and a walk with 6 Ks to move to 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA. The RedHawks had only 3 hits as Ramirez was 1-3 with 2 RBI (8) to move to .228.

The O-Royals are 11-8 and 1.5 games back after defeating the RedHawks in today's finale. Brandon Duckworth got his 1st '09 win while Elizardo Ramirez took the loss.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 12, Springfield 6

DH Strait 3-4, HR (2), RBI (2), K, 2 RS, CS (2) -- .271
SS Lisson 2-4, BB, 2 RBI (10), 2 RS, SB (2) -- .245
1B McFall 1-4, 2 RBI (16), K -- .224
CF Duarte 2-5, RBI (5), K, 2 RS -- .327
RF Parraz 2-2, HBP, BB, RBI (8), RS, picked off, OF assist at home -- .340
C Howell 2-4, RBI (4), 2 E -- .346
3B C. Smith 1-5, RBI (5), K, RS, 2 E (4) -- .169
LF Dickerson 1-3, BB, 2B (2), RBI (6), 2 RS -- .208
2B Mertins 0-4, BB, 2 RS, SB (3) -- .286

Lerew 5 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, K, WP -- 3.66 ERA
de la Vara 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K -- BS, 2, W, 1-0, 5.00 ERA
Nicoll 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 0.79 ERA

*** The Naturals churned out 6 runs in the 1st but had to rally again after blowing the lead in the middle innings. Starter Anthony Lerew gave up a run on 3 hits before stranding 2 in scoring position in the 1st, and the Nats came out ready to produce in their half. Mario Lisson and Corey Smith hit RBI singles before Brian McFall singled home 2 runs and Joe Dickerson doubled home a run, altho McFall was thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning. Dickerson scored on a wild pitch and the Nats went into the 2nd with a 6-1 lead. Lerew ran into more trouble in the 3rd as the Cardinals scored 3 runs on 2 walks, a triple, a wild pitch and Jeff Howell error to cut it to 6-4. They also wasted another triple in the inning. Gilbert de la Vara took over in the 6th and gave up the tying runs on a walk and 3 hits to blow the lead. NWA responded in the bottom of the inning with 5 runs on a Howell RBI single, Jose Duarte RBI single, Lisson RBI single, steal of home by Kurt Mertins on a double steal with Lisson, and Jordan Parraz RBI single to make it 11-6. Cody Strait went long in the 7th for his 2nd homer of the season to make it 12-6 Nats. Chris Nicoll allowed a triple in the 9th but closed the door on the win. RP Eddie Degerman took the loss with 3 ER allowed on 3 hits and 3 walks with 2 Ks over 2 IP to fall to 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA. Starter Ryan Kulik lasted only 3 IP of 6 ER on 7 hits and a walk with a K to make his ERA 18.00. Four Cards had 2 hits, including 2B Daniel Descalso, who had 2 triples (4) and his 18th RBI to move to .375. DH Steven Hill hit his 6th double but his average actually dropped to .436 despite his 2-5 night. 3B Brett Wallace was 2-4 with his 11th RBI and 2nd error to improve to .303.

The Naturals are 8-9 and 3 games back of the Cards. Game 2 is tonight as Blake Johnson (0-2, 7.07) faces Springfield righty Brandon Dickson (1-0, 5.63).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: off day

The Rocks start a 3-game set at the Potomac Nationals (9-9, defending league champs) tonight as Eduardo Paulino (1-0, 5.19) faces Nationals lefty William Atwood (0-3, 16.03). The Potomac roster features Washington prospects OF Michael Burgess (top position prospect, .182 BA, .753 OPS, 12 RS, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 19 K, 4 SB in 18 games and 66 ABs) and 1B Chris Marrero (.319/.921, 13 RS, 6 2B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 E in 18 games and 69 ABs).

A - Burlington: Clinton 10, Bees 2

DH Bonilla 1-3, HBP, HR, 2 RBI (7), RS, 2 SB -- .216, on rise?
1B Hosmer 1-4, K -- .185
RF Francis 1-4, 2B (5) -- .382
SS Alfaro 0-4, K, SB -- .191
C McCauley 0-4, 2 K, RS -- .174

Fisher 4 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 7.15 ERA
Saito 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K, WP -- 7.15 ERA, now keep it up
Thompson IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K, 2 HRA -- 9.00 ERA

*** Brent Fisher got drubbed and the Bees couldn't come back. Clinton scored 3 runs on 2 walks and 3 hits off Fisher in the 1st, added 2 runs on 3 hits in the 3rd and 2 more runs on a 2-run homer by 1B Scott Savastano (his 1st) to make it 7-0. Sean McCauley reached on an error to lead off the 4th and Jose Bonilla followed with a 2-run shot for his 1st of the season to cut the lead to 7-2. The Bees' only other threat came in the 8th when they left 2 in scoring position. James Thompson gave up 3 runs on 2 homers in the 9th and Clinton finished off the win. RP Bobby LaFromboise got the win with 3 IP of a hit and 2 Ks to move to 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA. Starter Blake Nation lasted 4 innings of 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits, a walk and 2 Ks to move his ERA to 4.91. 3B Nate Tenbrink and C Travis Howell had 3 hits each for Clinton and 2 others had 2 hits. Howell clubbed his 3rd homer with 2 doubles (3) and 2 RBI (5) with 2 RS to move to .290. Tenbrink had 2 RBI (8) and his 4th error to move to .340.

The Bees are 5-11. The series concludes tonight as Manauris Baez (1-0, 3.60) vies against Clinton righty Brett Lorin (2-0, 1.06), who already beat the Bees once this season. Nick Van Stratten has hit the DL with his hand injury. IF Fernando Garcia is taking his roster spot for the moment.

Royals on the Farm 4/26

AAA - Omaha: rainout

The O-Royals are still 9-7 and 2 games out of first. They are playing a doubleheader with Oklahoma City tonight to make up Saturday's rainout. Sunday's rainout will be made up in August. Game 1 starters tonight are hot prospect RedHawks righty Neftali Feliz (1-0, 5.25) vs. Luke Hochevar (3-0, 1.89). Game 2 pits RedHawks righty Doug Mathis (0-1, 2.50) vs. Heath Phillips (1-1, 7.43).

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 8, Naturals 1

RF Parraz 1-4, 2B (3), RS -- .313
2B Mertins 1-4, K, SB (2) -- .311
CF Duarte 0-4, K, picked off -- .320
LF Dickerson 0-2, 2 BB, E (2) -- .200
SS Lisson 0-3, BB, K -- .224
1B McFall 1-4, 2B (7), K, E (2) -- .222

Cortes 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, pickoff -- L, 0-3, 6.23 ERA, old wildness still there
Sencion 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, HRA -- 4.63 ERA
Holland 2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, K, WP -- 4.35 ERA

*** The Travelers scored 7 runs from the 6th on to roll to the win and take 3 of 4 in their first series of the season with NWA. The Naturals left runners at the corners in the 3rd and control problems got to Dan Cortes in the 3rd as a 1-out walk was followed by a stolen base, wild pitch and RBI single to give Arkansas a 1-0 lead. He worked around another wild pitch and walk in the inning. The Nats got 2 on with 1 out in the 6th but couldn't get a runner home and the Nats kind of fell apart in the bottom of the 6th. A pickoff helped Cortes get 2 outs with nobody on and he was pulled after another walk, as Carlos Sencion came in. Sencion had a rough outing as he gave up a 3-run homer to DH Hank Conger (his 1st of the season) and a Brian McFall error led to another run as Arkansas moved ahead, 5-0. Jordan Parraz led off the 7th with a double and scored on an error to get NWA on the board but the Travelers would rally again with 2 outs in the 8th for 3 more runs on 4 hits off Greg Holland. The Nats stranded 1 in the 9th. 19-year-old Travs starter Trevor Reckling got the win with 3 hits and 3 walks allowed over 6 IP with 4 Ks to mark his 1st AA win in his level debut. RP Ryan Brasier allowed an unearned run over 3 IP to pick up his 2nd save. Four Travs had 2 hits, including Conger, who drove in 3 runs (7) and scored twice in moving to .207. CF Peter Bourjos was 2-3 with a walk to move to .339 but got picked off by Cortes once. 3B Wilberto Ortiz and LF Nate Sutton had 2 RBI each.

NWA is 7-9 and 4 games back of first-place Springfield. The Cardinals (11-5) play host to a 4-game set with the Naturals starting tonight. Game 1 starters are Anthony Lerew (1-0, 3.07) and Cards lefty Ryan Kulik (1-1, 5.25). The Cardinals' roster features St. Louee prospects 3B Brett Wallace (.290 BA, .966 OPS, 15 RS, 4 HR in 16 games and 62 ABs), OF Daryl Jones (.333/.899, 14 RS, 3 SB in 13 games and 48 ABs), and righty Francisco Samuel (1-0, 6.75 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 8 BB/10 K in 6 2/3 IP).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Winston-Salem 8, Blue Rocks 4

SS Bianchi 2-4, 2B (5), HR (2), 3 RBI (10), K, RS -- .303
3B Moustakas 2-4, 2B (5), K, RS -- .292
2B Giavotella 1-4, RBI (12), RS, SB (2), E (4) -- .200
LF Ortiz 1-4, 3B (2), RS -- .250
RF Lough 0-4 -- .317
1B C. Robinson 0-4, 2 K -- .359

Duffy 5 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, K, 3 HRA -- L, 2-1, 4.35 ERA, has to be worst start as a pro
Swaggerty 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K, pickoff -- 2.70 ERA
Hartsock IP, UER, H, BB -- 1.23 ERA

*** Danny Duffy got rocked and the Rocks dropped 3 of 4 to the Dash. Jeff Bianchi hit a 2-out RBI double in the 1st to make it 1-0 Blue Rocks and Ryan Eigsti was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch the lead to end the 3rd. Duffy had retired 5 straight before it fell apart in the 4th as 2 singles were followed by a 3-run homer by 3B Brent Morel (his 3rd) and RF Christian Marrero made it back-to-back jacks with his 3rd homer to make it 4-0. Duffy stranded 2 then gave up a 2-out, 2-run homer to Morel in the 5th for his 4th of the season and 2nd of the game. Adrian Ortiz hit a 1-out triple in the 6th and scored on a Johnny Giavotella RBI groundout to cut it to 6-2 but Ben Swaggerty allowed a run on 2 hits in the 6th and the Dash manufactured a run in the 8th off Aaron Hartsock to make it 8-2. The Rocks got 2 in the 9th on Bianchi's 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season but that was it. Starter Anthony Carter picked up the win for Winston-Salem with 8 IP of 2 ER on 4 hits and a walk with 5 Ks to improve to 2-1 with a 3.75 ERA. Four Dash batters had 2 hits but the star was Morel, who was 2-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI (10) along with 2 RS to move to .265. Marrero was 2-3 with the HR and his 11th RBI and 2 RS to move to .397 and pitched in the assist to nail Eigsti in the 3rd. CF Jordan Danks was 1-5 with his 12th RBI to drop to .315.

The Rocks are 9-9 and 2 games back. They have today off before starting a set at Potomac.

A - Burlington: Bees 6, Clinton 2

CF Norris 2-4, RBI (2) -- .200
1B Hosmer 2-4, BB, K, RS -- .180
RF Francis 1-5, RBI (11), RS -- .392
DH Bonilla 1-3, BB, 2B (2), RBI (5), K, 2 RS -- .206
2B Jimenez 1-4, RBI (4), K, SB (3) -- .216
3B Martin 0-4, HBP, K, RS -- .182
SS Alfaro 1-5, CS, E -- .209
C McCauley 0-4, RS, picked off runner -- .190

Z. Peterson 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K -- 3.57 ERA
Bryant 3 IP, H, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 2.70 ERA

*** Four Bee runs in the 8th were the difference as the Bees won 2 in a row for the first time this season. Kyle Martin led off the game with a HBP, advanced on a wild pitch and groundout then scored on a passed ball to make it 1-0 Bees. Starter Zach Peterson gave up an RBI double in the 1st but the Bees regained the lead in the 2nd on a Patrick Norris RBI single, although David Wood was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on the play. Clinton retied it in the 2nd on a hit and walk and it stayed tied into the 8th. Eric Hosmer started the rally then with a 1-out single and scored on a Nick Francis RBI single before 2 Clinton errors on one play scored Francis, Jose Bonilla doubled home a run and Antonio Jimenez singled home Bonilla to make it 6-2. Carson Bryant pitched a scoreless last 3 innings to pick up the win. Clinton RP Ryan Moorer took the loss with 2/3 IP of 4 runs (1 ER) allowed on 4 hits with a K to drop to 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA. Starter Kenn Kasparek pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks to move his ERA to 7.71. 1B Nate Tenbrink was 3-3 with a run scored but was caught stealing twice as his BA jumped to .306.

Burlington is 5-10 and 7 games out. The series is continuing tonight as Brent Fisher (0-0, 2.45) is pitching (and getting torched thus far) against Clinton righty Blake Nation (0-1, 6.43, just pitched in relief Saturday) in an apparent spot start.

Royals on the Farm 4/25

AAA - Omaha: rainout

The home game with Oklahoma City was rained out and will be made up as part of a Monday doubleheader. The series instead opens today with Luke Hochevar and Doug Mathis starting, as was planned yesterday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 4, Naturals 1

RF Parraz 2-4 -- .318
CF Strait 1-4, 2B (2), RS -- .235
2B Mertins 1-4, K -- .317
LF Dickerson 1-4, 2 K -- .208
SS McConnell 0-3, K -- .150

Kniginyzky 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 4.20 ERA, 80 pitches
Hayes 2 IP, ER, 4 H, BB -- 2.08 ERA
Nicoll IP, H, K -- 0.96 ERA
Crist IP, H -- 9.53 ERA

*** The Naturals offense was again sluggish but this time the pitching wasn't strong enough to pick it up as Arkansas earned at least a split of the 4-game set. Starter Matt Kniginyzky labored somewhat through the first before stranding 2 and then gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 3rd to spot the Travelers a 2-0 lead. 2B Ryan Mount went long for his 2nd homer of the season for a solo shot in the 4th and Kniginyzky would strand 2 more in scoring position before getting pulled for Chris Hayes to start the 5th. The Naturals scored their run in the 5th as Cody Strait led off with a double and scored on a Travelers throwing error. The Nats stranded 2 and Arkansas got the run back off Hayes in the 6th on 3 hits and a walk before leaving the bases full. The Naturals had a baserunner in each of the last 3 innings but made nothing of them as RP David Herndon picked up his 2nd save. Starter Trevor Bell got the win with 7 IP of an UER on 5 hits and 2 walks with 6 Ks to improve to 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA. C Hank Conger and LF Nate Sutton had 3 hits each for Arkansas while Mount and CF Peter Bourjos had 2 hits each. Mount's HR also counted as his 11th RBI and Bourjos hit his 3rd triple with 2 RBI (8) and his 8th SB to improve to .321.

NWA is 7-8 and 3 games back of first. The Naturals will try to salvage a split in today's finale as Dan Cortes (0-2, 7.71) tries to get on track versus Arkansas lefty Trevor Reckling, making his AA debut.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Winston-Salem 14, Blue Rocks 13

CF D. Robinson 3-6, 2B, 2 RBI (7), 3 RS, 2 SB (11) -- .250
1B C. Robinson 3-4, BB, 2 2B (7), RBI (12), 2 RS -- .383, finally in cleanup spot
3B Moustakas 2-5, 2B (4), HR (4), 2 RBI (15), 2 RS, E (2) -- .279, he's producing
LF Orlando 2-5, 3B, RBI (6), RS, OF assist at home -- .170
2B Seratelli 2-5, 2B (2), RS, SB -- .267
SS Bianchi 1-5, BB, RBI (7), 2 K -- .290
RF Lough 1-4, BB, RBI (13), RS, SB (2), OF assists at third and home -- .339
DH Walton 1-4, BB, RBI (4), K, 2 RS -- .286, getting some PT and producing
C Eigsti 1-3, BB, SF, RBI (5), RS -- .263

Godin 2/3 IP, 8 R (2 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, K -- 2.89 ERA, yowza
Chavez 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 3.46 ERA
Liotta 3 IP, 6 H, BB -- 7.50 ERA
Sisk IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 3.86 ERA

*** The Rocks came back from 8-2 and 11-9 deficits but the bullpen couldn't hold a late lead as the teams combined for 37 hits on the game (a Rocks franchise record). Derrick Robinson singled and stole 2 bases in the 1st then scored on a Mike Moustakas double before Clint Robinson singled home Moustakas to make it 2-0 Rocks. Jason Godin was in trouble from the first batter he faced in the bottom of the 1st as he wouldn't last the inning. A walk and Moustakas error put the first 2 batters on and the rest of Godin's outing went swinging K, RBI single, walk, 2-run single, RBI groundout, RBI single, 2 walks, 3-run double before Chris Chavez came in to get the final out with Wilmington down, 8-2. The Rocks got 3 runs back in the 2nd on a 2-run Derrick Robinson single aided by a Dash error, and another run-scoring Dash error to cut it to 8-5. Paulo Orlando and Anthony Seratelli combined to throw a runner out at the plate in the 2nd as Chavez stranded the bases loaded and the Rocks tied the game in the 3rd on a Jamar Walton RBI single, Ryan Eigsti sac fly and run-scoring wild pitch. Clint Robinson hit a 2-out double in the 4th and scored on a David Lough single and the Rocks had a hard-fought 9-8 lead. The lead didn't last long as Chavez gave up 3 runs in the WS 4th on 5 hits and a walk before, again, leaving the bases full. Again, the Rocks wouldn't go away as they got it tied in the 5th on a 2-out Derrick Robinson RBI double and Jeff Bianchi RBI single. Lough had 2 outfield assists in the 5th in support of Ray Liotta out of the bullpen and Wilmington kept the Dash off the board. The game stayed 11-11 into the 8th when Moustakas clubbed his 4th homer of the season for a solo shot and Orlando hit an RBI triple to make it 13-11 Rocks. Brandon Sisk came on for the 8th and struggled for the first time this season as, with 2 out and a man at second, 2 walks and a 3-run double by RF Salvador Sanchez swung the lead to the Dash, 14-13. The Rocks got the tying runner to third with 2 out in the 9th but Bianchi struck out to end the game as Santo Luis picked up his 2nd save. RP Henry Mabee got the win with 2 IP of 2 ER on 2 hits and 2 walks with a K to move to 2-0 with a 4.00 ERA. Starter Matt Long lasted only 3 IP, giving up 8 runs (6 ER) on 7 hits and 3 walks to move his ERA to 8.66. LF Christian Marrero led the Dash with a 4-5 night at the plate with 2 RBI (10) and 2 RS to move to .385. Three other Dash batters had 3-hit games and three others had 2-hit games. Sanchez was 3-6 with his 4th double and 4 RBI (17) along with a K, an OF assist at second and his 1st error as he improved to .108. CF Jordan Danks had 3 hits, including 2 doubles (7) along with 2 walks and his 11th RBI, 2 RS and his 4th SB in improving to .324.

The Rocks are 9-8 and 2 games back. The series wraps up today as Danny Duffy (2-0, 2.30) takes the hill versus Dash righty Anthony Carter (1-1, 4.50).

A - Burlington: Bees 3, Clinton 1

RF Francis 3-5, 2B (4), RBI (10), 2 K, RS -- .413, staying hot, GW RBI
2B Jimenez 3-4, 2B, RBI (3), SB (2) -- .212
DH McCauley 2-4, 2B (5) -- .211
PH-DH D. Wood 1-1, 2B, RBI -- .250
SS Alfaro 0-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .211
1B Hosmer 1-3, 2 BB -- .152, OPS is .455, slugging only .196 thus far
CF Norris 1-4, picked off -- .171, bumped down to 9 slot
*The Bees stranded 12.

Cota 5 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, WP -- 3.00 ERA
J. Garcia 3 IP, 3 H, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 1.17 ERA
Bowden IP, H, K -- SV, 2, 0.00 ERA

*** It took a late rally but the Bees got their 4th win. The Bees stranded 7 over the first 3 innings, including leaving 'em loaded in the 3rd, and Clinton took the lead with a run on 2 walks, a hit and wild pitch off Luis Cota in the 3rd. Cota stranded 2 in the 4th but Clinton still had a 1-0 lead going into the 8th. Sean McCauley led off that inning with a double and Antonio Jimenez came through with the key 2-out RBI double to tie the game. Justin Garcia stranded 2 in the 8th and the Bees finally rallied in the 9th as Nick Francis hit a 2-out RBI double and scored on a pinch-hit RBI double by David Wood to make it 3-1 Bees. Barry Bowden got a double play to end it for his 2nd save. RP Blake Nation took his first blown save and the loss with 1 1/3 IP of 2 ER on 3 hits and a walk with 2 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA. Starter Adam Harben pitched 4 scoreless innings of 6 hits and 2 walks with a K to drop his ERA to 1.50. CF Denny Almonte and DH Scott Savastano had 2 hits for Clinton. Savastano hit his 1st triple of the season in improving to .351.

The Bees are 4-10. Game 2 of the set is today as Zach Peterson (1-1, 3.86) starts versus Clinton righty Kenn Kasparek (0-2, 12.79).

Royals on the Farm 4/24

Another day, another great outing for Zack Greinke. And Joakim Soria is out for a few days with a sore shoulder, which has supposedly been nagging at him a short while and fed into his 8-day layoff. Is it WBC syndrome, or because of his usage pattern, or just a sore arm?

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, Oklahoma City 0 (2-hitter)

C House 3-5, RBI (13), 2 RS -- .369
1B Shealy 3-5, 2B (4) -- .350
3B Metcalf 2-3, SF, 2 RBI (12), SB -- .308
2B Hulett 1-5, 2B (8), K -- .371
LF Lubanski 0-3, BB -- .302
* Omaha stranded 10.

DiNardo 6 IP, H, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 3.00 ERA, what a first start for Omaha
Rosa 3 IP, H, BB, 5 K -- SV, 1, 3.60 ERA

*** Lenny DiNardo had a great debut start for Omaha as he and Carlos Rosa combined on a 2-hit shutout and Omaha split 2 of 4 with Oklahoma City. DiNardo gave up a single in the 1st but then retired 13 in a row. The Royals struck first in the 4th as J.R. House hit a 1-out single followed by a Ryan Shealy double and Travis Metcalf sac fly to make it 1-0. Omaha would strand the bases loaded, however, and would do so again in the 6th. House and Metcalf hit RBI singles in the 7th to make it 3-0 and Rosa worked around a double and walk in his 3 innings of work for the unconventional save. OC starter Jared Hyatt took the loss with 5 2/3 IP of an ER allowed on 5 hits and 3 walks with 2 Ks to drop to 0-1 with a 1.59 ERA. 3B Esteban German was 1-4 for the RedHawks to drop to .288 and C Max Ramirez was 1-3 with his 2nd double to move to .235. LF Scott Thorman had his 2nd SB and an OF assist at home.

Omaha is 9-7 and 2 games back. The teams drive up to Omaha and start a 4-game set there tonight as Luke Hochevar (3-0, 1.89) is set to start versus RedHawks righty Doug Mathis (0-1, 2.50).

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 2, Arkansas 0 (Nats won despite only 1 hit)

2B McConnell 1-2, BB, 2B, K -- .176
CF Duarte 0-2, BB, S, RS, SB (7) -- .348
SS Lisson 0-4, E (6) -- .239
DH McFall 0-3, BB, K -- .234
RF Parraz 0-2, SF, RBI (7) -- .300

B. Wood 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 4.11 ERA, quality start
de la Vara 2/3 IP, BB -- 3.86 ERA
Marte 2 IP, H, 4 K -- SV, 1, 2.70 ERA

*** The Travelers outhit the Naturals, 5-1, to support starter Michael Anton but it was Northwest Arkansas that came out on top of a 2-0 shutout victory. Jose Duarte led off the game with a walk, advanced on a sac bunt by Josh Johnson, stole third and scored on a throwing error by C Ben Johnson. Cody Strait drew a 1-out walk in the 2nd, advanced 2 bases on balks, then scored on a Jordan Parraz sac fly to give NWA a 2-0 lead without the benefit of a hit. The Naturals' only hit came on a 1-out double by Chris McConnell in the 5th. NWA starter Blake Wood had his stuff working as he faced no trouble until the 7th, when he was pulled with 2 on and 1 out. Gilbert de la Vara got the last 2 outs of the inning to put out the small fire and keep the lead at 2-0. Victor Marte struck out 2 with 2 in scoring position in the 8th but pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 1st save of the season. Anton took the loss despite 6 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on a hit, 4 walks and a K to drop to 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA. LF Coby Smith was 2-4 with his 4th SB but was also caught stealing once as his BA moved to .417. CF Peter Bourjos was 1-4 to drop to .306 but did have 2 SBs to move to 7 on the season.

NWA is 7-7 and 2 1/2 games back of Springfield. Game 3 is tonight as Matt Kniginyzky (0-0, 3.27) takes on Arkansas righty Trevor Bell (1-0, 2.70).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Winston-Salem 6, Blue Rocks 5 (10)

RF Walton 2-4, 2 HR, 2 RBI (3), K, 2 RS -- .294, nice breakout game, second HR was big
CF D. Robinson 2-5, 2 K, RS, SB (9) -- .226
3B Moustakas 1-4, BB, HR (3), RBI (13), K, RS -- .268
1B C. Robinson 1-4, RBI (11), E -- .357
2B Giavotella 0-3, 2 S, K -- .196
SS Bianchi 0-5 -- .298
LF Ortiz 1-4, K, 2 SB -- .250
DH Lough 0-4, BB, K, RS, SB -- .345

Caldera 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, BB, 5 K -- 5.89 ERA
Villa 3 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 2.92 ERA, HR was walkoff

*** The Rocks came back from a 5-3 deficit to force extras only to see the Dash end the game abruptly in the 10th. No runner from either team reached base until the bottom of the 3rd when the Dash rallied for 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk off Alex Caldera. Wilmington answered with 3 runs in the 4th on a passed ball that scored Derrick Robinson, a solo homer by Mike Moustakas for his 3rd of the season, and a Clint Robinson RBI single that gave the Rocks a 3-2 lead. Three hits and a Clint Robinson throwing error tied the game and the Dash moved back ahead on a sac fly and RBI double to make it 5-3. Kelvin Villa took over with 1 on and 1 out in the 7th and stranded 2 before Jamar Walton greeted RP Wander Perez with his 1st homer of the season to lead off the Blue Rocks 7th and cut the lead to 5-4. That was still the score with 1 out in the 9th as Walton came up and repeated the trick as his solo homer off RP Miguel Socolovich tied the game at 5. Villa stranded 2 in the 9th but the Rocks left 2 in scoring position in the top of the 10th. 3B Brent Morel stepped up to lead off the WS 10th and clubbed his 2nd homer of the season to give the Dash the win. RP Hector Santiago got the key third out in the 10th to get the win and move to 1-0. Starter Johnnie Lowe pitched 6 innings of 3 ER on 4 hits and a walk with 5 Ks to move his ERA to 3.86. Three Dash batters had 2 hits, including Morel, who had his 5th RBI and scored twice. C Adam Ricks drove in 2 runs (3) and made his 1st error of the season and CF Jordan Danks was 1-4 with a walk, his 5th double and 10th RBI to move to .297.

The Rocks are 9-7 and 2 games back. Game 3 is tonight as Jason Godin (0-0, 1.04) makes his first start of the season as he returns from a facial fracture that cut his '08 season short versus Dash righty Matt Long (0-2, 6.75).

A - Burlington: Kane County 8, Bees 1

RF Francis 2-4, HR (3), RBI (9), K, RS -- .390
1B Hosmer 0-4, 3 K -- .140
CF Norris 0-4, 3 K -- .162
SS Alfaro 1-4, K -- .235
DH McCauley 1-4, 2B (4) -- .176
* LF Wilson Tucker had an assist at third while 2B Alwin Perez made 2 errors (4).

Runion 5 IP, 8 R (6 ER), 8 H, BB, 4 K, 3 HRA -- L, 1-2, 9.00 ERA, yuck
B. Hardy 4 IP, H, 7 K -- 3.21 ERA, dominant

*** The Cougars did all their damage off Sam Runion in the first 5 innings to take 3 of 4 from the Bees. An error, walk and 2-run double scored 2 Kane County runs in the 1st although Wilson Tucker cut the rally short with an OF assist at third via cutoff man J.D. Alfaro. Runion gave up a 2-run homer to C Juan Nunez (his 1st) in the 2nd to make it 4-0. 3B Jason Christian cranked his 3rd homer in the 3rd to make it 5-0 and RF Grant Desme hit a 2-run shot in the 4th (his 2nd) to make it 7-0. Burlington's best shot came in the 4th when they stranded 2 but Kane County added more insurance in the 5th on 2 hits and Alwin Perez's 2nd error of the game to make it 8-0. Blaine Hardy shut the Cougs down from there. Nick Francis killed the shutout with a 2-out solo homer in the 9th for his 3rd of the season but it was much too little, too late. KC starter Pedro Figueroa got the win with 7 IP of 5 hits with 9 Ks to move to 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA. Christian and DH Petey Paramore had 2 hits for Kane County. Christian's longball brought in his 13th RBI and Paramore scored twice. Three other Cougars had 2 RBI each.

The Bees are 3-10. A 4-game set at the Clinton LumberKings (8-5, A Mariners) starts tonight as Luis Cota (0-1, 3.60) starts versus Clinton righty Adam Harben (0-0, 2.25). The Bees are 0-3 versus Clinton this season.

Royals on the Farm 4/23

AAA - Omaha: Oklahoma City 5, O-Royals 4

3B Metcalf 2-4, HR (2), RBI (10), K, RS -- .286
LF Lubanski 2-4, 2B (4), 2 K -- .317
RF Aldridge 1-3, BB, HR, RBI (11), RS -- .271
C House 1-4, RBI (12) -- .350
1B Shealy 1-4, K, RS -- .327
Ka'aihue DNP

Chen 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, BB, 5 K, HRA, pickoff -- L, 0-1, 5.06 ERA
Yabuta 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, solid debut

*** Bruce Chen had 2 rough innings that came back to bite Omaha as Oklahoma City earned at least a split of the 4-game set. Tommy Murphy led off the game with a single and later scored on a J.R. House single to make it 1-0 O-Royals. Chen stranded 2 in scoring position in the 1st but settled down to retire 10 straight going into the 5th. Travis Metcalf led off the Omaha 4th with his 2nd homer of the season and it was 2-0 Royals. The game turned on one pitch as Chen had 2 on with 1 out in the 5th and served up a 3-run shot to 2B German Duran (his 1st) to give the RedHawks the lead. Three singles helped bring in 2 more Oklahoma City runs in the 6th as the RedHawks made it 5-2. Cory Aldridge greeted RP Warner Madrigal with a leadoff homer in the 7th (his 1st) to cut the lead to 2 and a 2-out fielding error by 3B Esteban German (his 6th) in the 8th scored Ryan Shealy and put Chris Lubanski at third as the tying run, but Aldridge grounded out to kill the rally. The Royals went down in order in the 9th as RP Pedro Strop got his 1st save. Starter Michael Ballard got the win with 2 ER allowed on 7 hits, a walk and 5 Ks over 6 IP to improve to 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA. German and RF Greg Golson had 2 hits for the 'Hawks as German improved to .292 and Golson to .356. Duran's 3 RBI gave him 5 for the season and a 1-3 day moved his BA to a whopping .094.

Omaha is 8-7 and now 2 games back of Iowa. The series wraps tonight as Lenny DiNardo (0-0, 4.50) makes his first organizational start versus RedHawks righty Jared Hyatt (no stats yet).

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 4, Naturals 3

2B Mertins 2-3, RBI (6), RS -- .324
C Howell 2-3, 2B (2), RS -- .368
LF Dickerson 1-3, BB, RBI (5), picked off -- .205
SS Lisson 0-2, BB, SF, RBI (8) -- .262
CF Duarte 0-3, BB, OF assist at second -- .364
1B McFall 0-4, 3 K -- .250
RF Parraz 1-3, BB, 2B (2), K, RS, CS -- .316

B. Johnson 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, K -- L, 0-2, 7.07 ERA
Sencion 2 1/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K, balk -- 3.18 ERA

*** Arkansas matched whatever the Naturals did then trumped it by a run to take the first game in the 2009 version of the rivalry. Jordan Parraz got the scoring started by ripping a 2-out double in the 2nd and scoring on a Kurt Mertins single. Mertins attempted to score on a Jeff Howell single only to get tossed out at the plate by CF Peter Bourjos. Blake Johnson had a relatively easy first 3 innings but gave up a sac fly in the 4th to tie the game. With 1 out and the bases full in the Naturals' 5th, Joe Dickerson took a walk and Mario Lisson hit a sac fly to make it 3-1 NWA. Johnson responded by allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in the 5th to tie the game at 3. A 2-out RBI single in the 5th knocked Johnson from the game and gave the Travelers their first lead, which they wouldn't relinquish. Long ago Royal farmhand RP Chad Blackwell was one of two relievers along with RP Ryan Brasier to finish the game with 3 perfect innings as Brasier picked up his 1st save. RP Marco Albano also pitched 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief to get the win and move to 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA. Starter Amalio Diaz allowed 3 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks with 5 Ks over 4 1/3 IP to move his ERA to 8.49. Bourjos was 2-4 with his 2nd double, 5th SB, 2 RS and the outfield assist as his BA moved to .311. 1B Mark Trumbo drove in 2 runs to give him 9 on the season.

NWA is 6-7 and 2 games back. Game 2 is tonight as Blake Wood (0-0, 7.00) starts vs. Travs lefty Michael Anton (1-0, 7.00).

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

DH Lough 2-4, 2 2B (5), RBI (12), RS -- .373
SS Bianchi 2-4, picked off -- .327
3B Moustakas 1-4, RBI (12), RS -- .269
RF Orlando 1-3, HBP, 2B (3), RBI (5), SB (4), 2 K -- .146
1B C. Robinson 1-4, RS -- .365, they have him in 7 slot for some reason, move him up!
LF Ortiz 1-4, RBI (5) -- .250
CF D. Robinson 0-5, 2 K -- .211, flip flop him and Ortiz, I say, even tho Ortiz has yet to dazzle in '09
2B Giavotella 0-3, BB, K, RS, SB -- .208

Teaford 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 3 K, HRA, WP -- W, 2-0, 2.20 ERA, nice
Rodriguez IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K -- 6.35 ERA
Hartsock IP, H, BB -- SV, 3, 1.42 ERA

*** Everett Teaford pitched well and the bullpen held on to a lead as the Rocks took the first of 4 from the Dash. David Lough and Paulo Orlando hit back-to-back doubles in the 2nd to get Wilmington on the board, then with 2 out in the 3rd, Johnny Giavotella reached on an error and scored on a Mike Moustakas single, then Lough doubled home Moustakas to make it 3-0 as the Rocks would strand 2. Adrian Ortiz hit an RBI single in the 4th to make it 4-0 and Teaford was perfect going into the 4th before serving up a single and 2-run homer to SS Greg Paiml (his 1st) to cut the lead in half. C Ryan Eigsti picked off a runner at third to end the 5th and Teaford worked around a leadoff double in the 6th. Craig Rodriguez came in for the 8th and gave up a 2-out RBI single to Paiml to cut the lead to 1 but Aaron Hartsock pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save. Starter Levi Maxwell took the loss for Winston-Salem with 6 IP of 4 runs (2 ER) on 8 hits and 2 walks with a K to drop to 0-3 with a 4.97 ERA. Paiml was 2-4 with the HR and 3 RBI (10) along with his 2nd SB and 2nd E to move to .276. CF Jordan Danks also had 2 hits for the Dash with his 4th double, a run scored and an OF assist at home to move his BA to .300.

The Rocks are 9-6 and still a game back. Game 2 is tonight as Alex Caldera (0-1, 4.85) hurls vs. Dash righty Johnnie Lowe (1-0, 3.48).

A - Burlington: Kane County 8, Bees 4

RF Tucker 1-2, HR, 2 RBI (5), RS -- .208
3B Martin 1-3, HBP, HR, RBI (6), 2 K, 2 RS -- .214
SS Alfaro 1-4, 2 K, RS -- .233
1B Hosmer 0-3, BB, K -- .154, would be nice to see a hit now and then
RF Francis 0-2, K -- .378, pulled after K looking to end 4th
CF Norris 0-4, 2 K, OF assist at third -- .182
C Bonilla 0-4, 2 K -- .194

Casey 2 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- L, 0-3, 4.50 ERA
Saito 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA, WP -- 9.72 ERA, still waiting on him to show me something as a pro
Bryant 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K -- 3.86 ERA

*** The Cougars only scored in 2 innings but it was enough for an 8-4 win as the Bees made the most of only 5 hits. Bryan Casey started for the Bees and danced around 2 singles in the 2nd thanks in part to an OF assist by Patrick Norris at third. He was pulled with 1 on and 1 out in the 3rd because of a blister on his foot and Derrick Saito got shelled as he gave up a 3-run homer to 3B Jason Christian (his 2nd), a run-scoring wild pitch, an RBI triple and 2 other hits for 1 run to make it 6-0 Cougars. J.D. Alfaro scored on a 2-out wild pitch in the 4th and Kyle Martin followed with his 1st homer of the season as the solo shot cut the lead to 6-2. Wilson Tucker hit a 2-run homer in the 7th for his 1st of the season and it was 6-4 KC. The Bees stranded 2 in the inning and, after the Cougars got 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk off Carson Bryant in the 9th, RP Jose Guzman pitched a perfect 9th to finish it. Starter Shawn Haviland picked up the win with 6 IP of 2 ER on 2 hits and a walk with 7 Ks to improve to 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA. Three Cougars had 2 hits as DH Steve Kleen was 2-4 with a walk, K and RS to move to .362. Christian's 3 RBI gave him 12 on the season.

The Bees are 3-9. The finale of the set is tonight as Sam Runion (1-1, 8.00) faces Cougars lefty Pedro Figueroa (1-0, 4.50).

Royals on the Farm 4/22

Nice start by Bannister Wednesday, but you aren't gonna win every start racking up only 1 K. Also was good to see the Mexicutioner actually get some work. Too bad he didn't get it Sunday or Tuesday. Hillman's little peccadilloes about using Soria seemingly in only save situations have already come back to bite KC three times, and we'll see if he's learned to save Farnsworth for mop-up situations rather than those when the game is on the line. Plus the Royals went 8 days without even using their best reliever, which makes no sense. Hillman's no Buddy Bell, but he's no Whitey Herzog either. I'd say he's closer to the former than the latter.

AAA - Omaha: Oklahoma City 7, O-Royals 6 (11)

2B Hulett 3-6, 2B (7), 2 RBI (17), K -- .386, think he's got AAA down
CF Murphy 2-5, BB, RBI (4), 2 K, 2 RS, OF assist at home -- .268
LF Lubanski 2-4, 2 BB, 2B (3), RS, SB (4), OF assist at home -- .304
SS Hernandez 2-5, RS -- .370
RF Aldridge 1-4, BB, RBI (10), 2 K, RS -- .267
3B Metcalf 1-5, S, 2B (5), RBI (9), K -- .267
C House 0-4, HBP, SF, RBI (11) -- .357, fledgling hit streak snapped
1B Ka'aihue 0-4, 2 BB, 2 K -- .192, still managing to get on base at .380 clip
DH Shealy 1-4, BB, 2B (3), RS -- .333
* Omaha stranded 13.

Duckworth 4 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, BB, HRA -- 9.53 ERA, 77 pitches
Hughes 2 IP, K -- 1.35 ERA, looking good out of pen
Rosa IP, H, BB, K -- 5.14 ERA
Colon 3 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 K -- BS, 2, L, 1-1, 4.09 ERA

*** The O-Royals came back to tie the game twice and finally took the lead in the 8th but couldn't hold it as the RedHawks evened the series. Travis Metcalf hit a 2-out RBI double in the 1st to give Omaha a 1-0 lead but the RedHawks answered with 2 runs on 2 doubles and a hit batsman before Chris Lubanski cut the rally short by throwing out a runner at the plate from left to end the inning. Duckworth worked around a 1-out triple in the 3rd and the Royals tied the game in the 4th on a Lubanski RBI double followed by a Cory Aldridge RBI single. Omaha loaded the bases with nobody out but didn't get another run home as Tug Hulett grounded into a 4-6-3 DP to kill the threat. Duckworth gave up a 2-run homer to C Max Ramirez (his 1st) in the bottom of the inning and the Royals once again fell behind. Two hits to start the RedHawks 5th brought in another run to make it 5-2 and sent Duckworth to the showers as Dusty Hughes stranded a runner at third in the inning. The Royals loaded the bases with 1 out in the 6th and, this time, opportunity didn't pass them by as Tommy Murphy drew a walk from RP Brian Gordon, Hulett singled home a run and J.R. House hit a sac fly to tie the game at 5. Carlos Rosa stranded 2 RedHawks in the 7th and the Royals moved ahead in the 8th on a Hulett RBI double before stranding 2. Roman Colon entered the game and gave up a 1-out single and RBI double to blow the lead but escaped with the tie intact as Tommy Murphy threw out a runner at the plate trying to score on a flyout. The Royals wasted runners in scoring position in the 9th and 11th and, in the OC 11th, Colon's inning went walk, sac bunt, intentional walk, walk, walkoff walk as DH Royce Huffman drew the winning free pass. RP Beau Vaughan pitched 2 hitless innings with 2 walks and 2 Ks to get the win and improve to 2-0 with a blank ERA. Starter Elizardo Ramirez worked 5 1/3 IP of 5 runs (3 ER) on 8 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks to move his ERA to 4.11. Four RedHawks had 2 hits, including Huffman, who walked twice, rapped 2 doubles (5) and drove in 4 runs (8) to move to .306. Ramirez's 2-run homer gave him 6 RBI on the season as he's hitting only .222. 3B Esteban German was 2-4 with a walk, HBP and 2 RS to move to .273.

The O-Royals are 8-6 and a game back of first. Game 3 is tonight as Bruce Chen (0-0, 3.60) takes on RedHawks lefty Michael Ballard (0-1, 3.18).

AA - NW Arkansas: offday

NWA is 6-6 and a game out of first. A 4-game set at the Arkansas Travelers (4-8, AA Angels, defending TL champs) starts tonight as Blake Johnson (0-1, 7.56) hurls versus Travs righty Amalio Diaz (0-2, 9.82). The Travelers' roster features Halos prospects righty Jordan Walden (top pitching prospect, 0-1, 3.95, 1.54 WHIP in 13 2/3 IP), lefty Trevor Reckling (no AA stats yet), C Hank Conger (.140 BA, .352 OPS in 43 ABs), OF Peter Bourjos (.293/.802 in 41 ABs), 1B Mark Trumbo (.178/.588, 2 HR, 14 K in 45 ABs), and 2B Ryan Mount (.256/.661, 10 RBI, 12 K in 43 ABs).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Salem 11, Blue Rocks 4 (7/finished suspended game)

1B C. Robinson 2-3, BB, 2 HR, 2 RBI (9), K, 2 RS -- .386
3B Seratelli 2-4, HR, 2 RBI (7), RS -- .240
RF Walton 2-4, K, E -- .231
CF D. Robinson 0-3, BB, K -- .245
2B Giavotella 1-3, S, 2B (2), K, RS -- .209
SS Bianchi 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .326, hit streak snapped
DH Ortiz 1-3 -- .262
* The Rocks left 10 on base.

Liotta 3 1/3 IP, 7 R (5 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 1-1, 10.00 ERA
Paulino 2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 5 BB, HRA, WP -- 5.19 ERA, not pretty game for Rocks pitching
Swaggerty 1 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, K -- 1.93 ERA, so on the game that's 10 BB, 3 K for the Rocks, yikes

*** Salem picked up where it left off when play resumed in the 4th last night as the Red Sox pushed across 6 runs to make Clint Robinson's 2 HR game for naught in an 11-4 win. The onslaught started in the 2nd with 2 runs on 4 hits off starter Ray Liotta as Salem jumped to a 2-0 lead. Robinson clubbed his 1st homer of the season and the game to lead off the 2nd but Liotta gave up 3 runs in the Salem 3rd, including a 2-run homer by CF Jason Place (his 2nd). There were 2 on and 1 out in the Salem 4th when the rain delayed action, and Eduardo Paulino took the mound for the Rocks when play resumed. Paulino allowed 2 runs before the inning was over on a double and walk and Salem had a 7-1 lead. Robinson greeted RP Ryne Miller with his 2nd homer of the game and season to lead off the Rocks 4th but the Rocks would strand 2. Paulino left the bases full in the 5th but Salem struck again in the 6th with 3 runs on LF Chih-Hsien Chiang's 1st homer of the year for a 3-run shot. Ben Swaggerty would come in and strand 2 in the inning but gave up an RBI double to Place in the 7th to make it 11-2. Anthony Seratelli went yard for his 1st homer of the season on a 2-run shot in the bottom of the 7th but the monster rally didn't develop as Wilmington stranded 2 in scoring position. Miller got the win with an ER allowed on 4 hits, a walk and 3 Ks over 2 IP to move to 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA. Starter Eammon Portice worked 3 innings with 1 ER allowed on 3 hits, a walk and 3 Ks to lower his ERA to 4.50. 3B Aaron Reza was 3-5 with a double, his 5th RBI and 2 RS. Three other Sox had 2 hit games. Place's 3 RBI gave him 15 on the season as he was hitting .288 after the 2-4 game.

Salem 6, Blue Rocks 4 (7/regular Wed. game)

RF Lough 3-4, 2 RBI (11) -- .362
1B C. Robinson 1-4, HR (3), RBI (10), 2 K, RS -- .375
2B Giavotella 1-2, 2 BB, RBI (11), RS, picked off, E (3) -- .222
CF D. Robinson 0-3, BB, K, RS, SB (8) -- .231
3B Moustakas 1-3, BB, RS, SB -- .271
SS Bianchi 0-2, 2 BB, K -- .313
DH Ortiz 0-2, S -- .250

Santiago 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 3 K -- 8.53 ERA, only 1 inning was bad
Chavez 2 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- L, 2-1, 1.86 ERA

*** In the regular Wednesday game, it was a closer affair as the Red Sox opened a late lead to sweep the twinbill. Derrick Robinson led off the Wilmington 1st with a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Johnny Giavotella single to make it 1-0. The Rocks would strand 2 in the inning and starter Mario Santiago would give up 3 Salem runs in the 2nd on 4 hits and a walk to make it 3-1 Sox. Clint Robinson hit his 3rd homer of the series to lead off the Rocks 2nd and David Lough hit a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to tie the game at 3. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 3rd and 4th and Chris Chavez ran into trouble in the 6th. A 2-out double by C William Vazquez scored the lead run and Chavez gave up a 2-out, 2-run single to Place in the 7th thanks mostly to a Giavotella throwing error on the play to make it 6-3. The Rocks loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th and Lough singled home a run to cut the lead to 2 but Clint Robinson popped out to end the threat as RP Derrick Loop notched his 1st save. Jonathan's younger brother RP Josh Papelbon got the win with 3 1/3 IP of an ER on 0 hits, 3 walks and a K to move to 1-1 with a 5.87 ERA. Starter Jose Capellan allowed 3 ER on 6 hits and 3 walks with 3 Ks over 3 IP to move his ERA to 5.40. LF Chiang and CF Che-Hsuan Lin both had 2 hits for Salem as Lin added 2 RBI (3) to move to .200 with a 2-4 game. DH Ryan Kalish was 0-3 with a walk, 2 K, RS and his 5th SB to drop to .318.

The Blue Rocks are 8-6 and a game back of first. A 4-game set at the Winston-Salem Dash (6-8, A-Adv. ChiSox) starts tonight as Everett Teaford (1-0, 1.94) pitches versus Dash righty Levi Maxwell (0-2, 6.75) in the Dash's home opener, which comes 15 games into the season. The Dash roster features White Sox prospects OF Jordan Danks (.286 BA, .857 OPS, 12 RS, 2 HR, 18 K in 56 ABs) and 3B Brent Morel (.240/.687, 11 RS, 5 SB in 50 ABs). Former Royal Joe McEwing is the Dash manager and Bobby Thigpen is the pitching coach.

A - Burlington: Bees 8, Kane County 2

RF Francis 3-4, HR (2), 4 RBI (8), RS -- .400
3B Martin 1-2, 2 SF, 2 RBI (5), RS, SB (2) -- .205
1B Hosmer 1-3, BB, RBI (4), RS -- .167
CF Norris 1-4, K, 2 RS, SB (5) -- .207
SS Alfaro 1-3, BB, 2 RS -- .231
DH Bonilla 1-4, 2 K, CS -- .222

Fisher 4 IP, UER, 6 H, K -- 2.45 ERA
Baez 3 IP, 2 H, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 3.60 ERA
Thompson 2 IP, ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 balks -- 6.00 ERA

*** Nick Francis single-handedly out scored Kane County and the Bees got their first home victory of the season. Kyle Martin hit a sac fly in the 1st and Francis followed with a 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season to make it 3-0 Bees. Brent Fisher stranded 2 Cougars in the 3rd and Burlington added 2 runs in the bottom of the frame on RBI singles by Eric Hosmer and Francis to make it 5-0. Fisher allowed a run on 3 hits and a throwing error by C Salvador Perez in the 5th before getting pulled for Manauris Baez, who stranded 2 inherited runners. Two Cougar errors helped the Bees to a run in the 7th as Martin added a sac fly and Francis hit another RBI single to make it 8-1. James Thompson walked 2 in the 9th then balked twice to cut it to 8-2 before closing it out. Starter Matt Fitts took the loss with 3 IP of 5 runs (2 ER) on 5 hits, 2 BB and 2 Ks to drop to 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA. SS Dusty Coleman was 2-4 with his 2nd triple and 5th error to move to .357.

The Bees are 3-8 and 5 games out. Game 3 is today and got an early start as the Cougars lead in the middle innings. Bryan Casey (0-2, 4.70) started versus KC righty Shawn Haviland (1-0, 2.45).

Royals on the Farm 4/21

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 15, Oklahoma City 9

RF Aldridge 4-6, 3B, 5 RBI (9) -- .268
DH Shealy 3-4, BB, SF, 2 RBI (7), 2 RS -- .340
2B Hulett 3-5, 2 BB, 2B (6), RBI (15), 3 RS -- .373
3B Metcalf 2-3, 2 BB, HBP, RBI (8), 3 RS -- .275
CF Murphy 2-6, BB, 2B (2), RBI (3), 2 K, RS -- .255
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, 3 BB, 2B (3), RBI (11), 4 RS -- .208
C House 1-6, BB, RBI (10), RS -- .385
LF Lubanski 1-6, RBI (8), K -- .288
SS Hernandez 1-5, SF, RBI (10), RS, 2 E (3) -- .366
* Omaha stranded 15 and was 8-for-28 with runners in scoring position on the night.

Phillips 3 1/3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 9 H, 3 BB, 3 K -- 6.75 ERA, on second thought, maybe he's not a KC rotation candidate
Atencio 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 6.14 ERA
Hamulack 2 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 5 K, HRA -- 9.00 ERA

*** The O-Royals won a war of attrition as the teams combined to strand 26 runners, all three Omaha pitchers got touched for runs and three RedHawks pitchers, including touted starter Neftali Feliz, combined to give up 14 of the Royals' 15 runs. Omaha wasted no time as the Royals scored 4 runs in the 1st on a run-scoring wild pitch, J.R. House RBI groundout, and 2-out, 2-run single by Cory Aldridge, who had a good night at the plate. The RedHawks fired right back with 2 runs on 3 hits off starter Heath Phillips in their half of the 1st. Oklahoma scored another run in the 2nd on a double, 2 walks and a Luis Hernandez error, but Aldridge tripled home a run in the 3rd to make it 5-3 Omaha. Phillips couldn't hold it as Oklahoma scored 2 runs in the 3rd on 3 hits and a walk to tie the game. Kason Gabbard relieved Feliz for the 4th and the Royals jumped on him for 4 runs on a Travis Metcalf RBI single, a bases-loaded walk by Ryan Shealy, another Aldridge RBI single and a Hernandez sac fly that made it 9-5 O-Royals. Phillips allowed another run on 2 hits and another Hernandez error in the 4th before getting pulled as Greg Atencio got out of a jam. Omaha padded the lead with a 3-run 5th on a Kila Ka'aihue RBI forceout, and RBI singles by Chris Lubanski and Aldridge to make it 12-6. The teams were actually scoreless for an inning-and-a-half (Omaha left the bases full in the 6th) before Omaha scored 2 in the 7th on a Tommy Murphy RBI double and Tug Hulett RBI groundout. Atencio served up a 2-run homer to RF Greg Golson (his 1st of the season) in the 7th to keep the lead at 6 and the Royals scored their final run on a Shealy sac fly in the 8th. Tim Hamulack gave up a solo homer to C Kevin Richardson (his 2nd) in the 9th but that was all the RedHawks would get as Omaha escaped with the 15-9 win. Gabbard took the loss with 6 ER allowed on 3 hits and 5 walks with a K over an IP to drop to 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA. Feliz allowed 5 ER on 7 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks over 3 IP to bump his ERA to 5.25. 1B Royce Huffman and Richardson both had 3 hits for the RedHawks with 2 others rapping out 2 hits a piece. Golson had the homer and 3 RBI (8) but also made his 2nd error. LF Brandon Boggs had 2 RBI (8) and his 1st SB. 3B Esteban German was 1-3 with a walk, his 3rd SB, K and RS.

The Royals are 8-5 and back in a 3-way tie for first in the division. Game 2 is tonight as Brandon Duckworth (0-1, 8.59) hurls versus RedHawks righty Elizardo Ramirez (0-2, 3.60). RP Yaz Yabuta will take Brian Bannister's vacated roster spot. I assume Lenny DiNardo will move to the rotation.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 9, Corpus Christi 7

2B Mertins 3-4, 2 2B (3), 2 RBI (5), RS, CS (2) -- .294
DH Strait 3-4, 2B, HR, RBI, 3 RS -- .275, was off to sluggish start, we'll see where he goes from here
CF Duarte 2-5, 2 2B (3), RBI (4), RS -- .390, continues to produce
RF Parraz 2-4, RBI (6), RS -- .314, and the Royals shed Lumsden to get him, to boot
3B C. Smith 1-4, RBI (4), K, RS -- .160
SS Lisson 0-4, SF, RBI (7), 2 K, E (5) -- .275
1B McFall 1-3, HBP, 2B (6), K, RS, E -- .275
LF Dickerson 1-5, 2 K, RS, SB (2) -- .195

Lerew 6 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, BB, 4 K, 2 HRA, pickoff -- W, 1-0, 3.07 ERA, 87 pitches, would have been great without HRA, but still a quality start, first win for Nats starter in '09
Holland 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 2.16 ERA
de la Vara 1/3 IP, 4 UER, 2 H, BB -- 4.26 ERA
Nicoll 2/3 IP, BB -- SV, 1, 1.08 ERA

*** A 4-run 9th made the game closer but the bullpen salvaged the 9-7 win for NW Arkansas. The game was scoreless into the 4th before the Nats scored 4 runs on a 2-run Jordan Parraz single aided by a Hooks fielding error, a run-scoring balk and an RBI double by Kurt Mertins in the 4th. Mario Lisson hit a sac fly in the 5th to make it 5-0 but the Hooks finally got to Anthony Lerew in the 6th as CF Collin DeLome went solo for his 5th homer of the season to cut it to 5-1. Cody Strait led off the NWA 6th with his 1st homer of the season to get the run back but Lerew served up a 2-run shot to RF Mitch Einertson in the 7th for his 2nd of the season to cut it to 6-3. Greg Holland would strand the bases full in the inning, and Corey Smith would single home a run in the inning before getting nailed at the plate to end the inning trying to score on a Brian McFall double. Mertins added another RBI double in the 8th and scored on a Jose Duarte double to make it 9-3. Errors by McFall and Lisson helped Gilbert de la Vara load the bases to start the 9th and the Hooks scored 4 runs before Chris Nicoll came in and got the last 2 outs to end it for his 1st save of the season. Starter Polin Trinidad took the loss for CC with 5 IP of 5 runs (4 ER) allowed on 7 hits with 6 Ks to drop to 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA. Einertson was 3-4 with his HR and 2 RBI (6) but also made his 2nd error in the field. 1B James Van Ostrand was one of 4 other Hooks with 2 hits as he was 2-5 with his 1st triple, 2 RBI (4) and a run scored to move to .414. DeLome had his homer, 2 RS and the OF assist to help get Smith at the plate in the 7th.

The Naturals are 6-6 and a game back of Tulsa and Springfield. They have a day off before starting the 2009 "Diamond Series" with intrastate rival Arkansas on Thursday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Salem 3 (7/G1)

SS Bianchi 3-4, 2B (4), RBI (6), RS, SB (3) -- .349, hope he can keep up the old rookie-ball form
1B C. Robinson 2-4, RBI (7), RS -- .366
2B-3B Seratelli 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI (5), K -- .190
LF Lough 1-2, BB, RBI (9), RS -- .326
C Eigsti 1-3, 2B (4), RBI (4) -- .258
3B Moustakas 1-2, RS -- .267, pulled in 4th after fouling pitch off his arm in 2nd
CF D. Robinson 0-3, S -- .261
PH-2B Giavotella 0-1, BB, RS -- .200
RF Ortiz 1-3, 2B, K, RS -- .256
DH Orlando 0-3, 2 K, 2 RS, SB (3) -- .132

Duffy 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- W, 2-0, 2.30 ERA
Sisk IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

*** A 4-run 1st was all Danny Duffy and the Rocks needed in taking the opener from Salem. The rally came all with 2 outs in the 1st as 2 singles and a walk loaded the bases, Paulo Orlando struck out swinging for the would-be third out but reached on a wild pitch as the first run scored, and Anthony Seratelli followed with a 3-run double to clear the bases and make it 4-0 Wilmington. Adrian Ortiz led off the Wilmington 2nd with a double and scored on a Jeff Bianchi single to make it 5-0. Duffy finally got dinged in the 3rd as he served up a 2-run homer to 2B Aaron Reza (his 1st) to cut the lead to 5-2. Orlando struck out but reached again, this time on a passed ball, in the 3rd and it once again came back to bite Salem as Ryan Eigsti hit an RBI double to make it 6-2. Clint Robinson and David Lough hit back-to-back RBI singles in the 4th to extend the lead to 8-2 and Duffy gave up a run on a walk and double in the 5th but that was it for the Sox. Brandon Sisk pitched a 1-2-3 7th to finish the win. Starter Kyle Weiland took the loss for Salem with 8 runs (7 ER) allowed on 7 hits and 2 walks with 4 Ks over 3 1/3 IP to fall to 0-1 with a 15.00 ERA. RF Matt Sheely was 2-3 with his 1st double and 3rd RBI to move to .357.

Game 2 was suspended by rain in the top of the 4th with Salem up, 5-1. The game will be finished tonight. Moustakas didn't play in the second game but said on the team site he could have played.

Wilmington is 8-4 and still tied with Lynchburg for the division lead. They finish the suspended nightcap tonight before the regular game (shortened to 7 innings) with Salem to finish the set. Mario Santiago (0-2, 10.57) is set to start the regular game versus Salem lefty "the other" Jose Capellan (1-0, 4.35).

A - Burlington: Kane County 6, Bees 4

SS Martin 2-4, RS -- .189
RF Francis 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (3), RBI (4), RS, E (2) -- .355
LF Tucker 1-4, 2B (2), RBI (3), 2 K, RS -- .211
3B Jimenez 1-3, RBI (2), K -- .130
CF Norris 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS, SB (4) -- .200
1B Hosmer 0-4, RBI (3), 2 K -- .152, MWL is getting the better of him thus far
C McCauley 0-4, K -- .185, runners were 1/4 in SB against in the game

Z. Peterson 5 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 1-1, 3.86 ERA
Garcia 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 1.93 ERA
Bryant IP, H, 2 K -- 3.00 ERA
Bowden IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

*** Kane County capitalized on Bees mistakes to take the series opener and deal Burlington yet another loss. Patrick Norris walked and stole second in the Bees 1st before scoring on an Eric Hosmer groundout to give Burlington a 1-0 lead. Kane County tied it on 2 hits and an Alwin Perez error at second in the 2nd and the Cougars loaded the bases off Zach Peterson with 0 out in the 3rd and got 3 runs out of the rally thanks in part to a Nick Francis error in right. The Bees got back in the game in the 4th with 3 runs on a Francis RBI double, Wilson Tucker RBI double and Antonio Jimenez RBI single, although Jimenez was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. The tie was short-lived as Peterson served up a leadoff longball to CF David Thomas (his 2nd) in the 5th. Justin Garcia gave up a run on 2 hits in the 6th and the Bees didn't have another baserunner until the 9th, as Ben Hornbeck pitched 5 innings of 1-hit relief for the win. Hornbeck walked 1 and struck out 7 in improving to 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Starter Brett Hunter allowed 4 ER on 4 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks over 4 IP to move his ERA to 7.71. Four Cougars had 2-hit games as SS Dusty Coleman drove in 2 runs (9) but also made his 4th error. Thomas hit his HR, scored twice, walked once and stole his 4th base.

The Bees are 2-8. Game 2 is tonight with Brent Fisher (0-0, 5.40) set to take on KC righty Matt Fitts (0-1, 5.40). OF Nick Van Stratten is day to day with a jammed thumb.

Royals on the Farm 4/20

One word: Farnsworth. One figure: $4.5 million x 2 years. Wasted. But he didn't blow Sunday's game by himself. Shaky defense in big situations did too. Farnsworth still shouldn't be in a game with it on the line, tho. EVER.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 7, Albuquerque 2

DH Shealy 3-4, 2 RS -- .302
C House 2-4, BB, 2B (3), K, 2 RS -- .413, if he could hit like this in the pros, he wouldn't be in Omaha right now
SS Hernandez 2-3, BB, RBI (9), RS -- .389, has looked good thus far
2B Hulett 1-5, 2 RBI (14), 3 K -- .348
3B Falu 1-4, 2 RBI (3), RS -- .294
LF Lubanski 0-3, BB, RBI (7), K -- .304, heat that bat back up!
1B Ka'aihue 1-4, BB, 2B (2), RBI (10), K, RS -- .200, finally back to Mendoza line...I feel sorry for Mario Mendoza, having the .200 BA named after him. Can we name the .150 line the TPJ line?

Hochevar 8 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K, pickoff -- W, 3-0, 1.89 ERA, nice
Colon IP, ER, 2 H, K -- 3.68 ERA

*** Luke Hochevar had a great start and the O-Royals rolled to the win in the finale with Albuquerque. J.R. House and Kila Ka'aihue hit back-to-back doubles with 2 out in the 1st and Omaha took a 1-0 lead. Hochevar stranded 2 in scoring position in the 2nd then cruised into the 8th. Omaha didn't get him any more run support until the 6th, when Scott Strickland took over on the mound for the Isotopes and the Royals loaded the bases with none out. Chris Lubanski took a walk to bring home a run, then Irving Falu hit an RBI forceout and Luis Hernandez singled in a run before the Royals stranded 2. Hochevar finally allowed a run on 2 hits in the 8th but the Royals scored 3 in the inning on a 2-out Falu RBI single and a 2-run Tug Hulett single before Kila struck out with the bases juiced. Roman Colon allowed a run in the 9th before closing it out. Isotopes SP Giancarlo Alvarado took the loss with an ER allowed on 4 hits and 2 walks with 3 Ks over 5 IP to fall to 0-2 with a 4.30 ERA. 1B Val Pascucci and SS Chin-Lung Hu had 2 hits each for Albuquerque. Hu is hitting .317. CF Xavier Paul was 1-3 with a walk and was picked off as he dropped to .476.

Omaha is 7-5 and a game back of first. A 4-game set at the Oklahoma City RedHawks (5-6, AAA Rangers) starts tonight as lefty Heath Phillips (1-1, 4.50) vies against Rangers hot pitching prospect righty Neftali Feliz (1-0, 2.00, 1.67 WHIP in 9 IP). The RedHawks roster features prospects Feliz, OF Julio Borbon (.298 BA, .680 OPS in 47 AB) and C Max Ramirez (.188/.401, 11 Ks in 32 AB), along with former Royals IF Esteban German (.273/.799, 5 E, .405 OBP in 33 AB and 9 GP). Brian Bannister got his callup to KC today as Doug Waechter hit the DL with an elbow strain. He's set to start Wednesday, so Horacio is going to the pen. When does Hoch get his call? Huh? HUH?

AA - NW Arkansas: Corpus Christi 12, Naturals 6

SS Lisson 3-4, 2 RBI (6), K, RS, CS, E (4) -- .306
RF Parraz 2-3, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (5), RS, E (3) -- .290
CF Duarte 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 K, 2 RS -- .389
2B Mertins 1-4, 3B, RBI (3), K, RS -- .233
C Suomi 1-4, RBI (5), K, CS, PB -- .333
LF Dickerson 1-5 -- .194

Cortes 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 7.71 ERA, not pitching like a top prospect, 83 pitches
Sencion 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, K, HRA -- BS, 2, L, 1-1, 4.00 ERA
Marte 2 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 K, HRA -- 3.38 ERA
Crist 2/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 4 H, BB, K -- 11.57 ERA
Nicoll 1/3 IP, K -- 1.17 ERA

*** The score was 4-3 Hooks after 1 but it was almost all Hooks thereafter as Dan Cortes had another shaky start but Carlos Sencion took the L. Here's Cortes' 1st: single (steal second), groundout, fielder's choice (batter reaches, no out recorded), RBI single, single, K, walk run in, 2-run single plus Parraz fielding error in right, flyout. The Naturals responded with 3 runs on a Mario Lisson RBI single and 2-out, 2-run Parraz double to atone for the miscue to cut it to 4-3. The Nats added 2 runs in the 4th on a Kurt Mertins RBI triple and John Suomi groundout to make it 5-4 NWA. Another Lisson RBI single in the 5th made it 6-4, but then the tables turned. Sencion came in for the 6th and gave up 3 runs on an RBI double and then a 2-run homer by 2B Drew Meyer to make it 7-6 Hooks. Victor Marte came in and stranded 2 but then gave up a solo homer to RF Andrew Locke (his 2nd) in the 7th to make it a 2-run game. Kyle Crist allowed 4 runs in the 9th thanks in part to a Lisson error and the Nats didn't threaten again. Former O-Royal RP Andy Van Hekken got the win with an ER allowed on 4 hits and a K over 2 IP to move to 1-1 with a 5.19 ERA. Starter Sergio Perez allowed 5 ER on 5 hits and 3 walks with a K over 4 IP to move his ERA to 3.60. RP Chad Wagler picked up a 3-inning save for his 1st of the season. Eight batters had 2 hits for the Hooks, including C Brian Esposito, who had 4 RBI (9) in moving to .290. Locke and Meyer also had their 2 RBI each. DH James Van Ostrand is hitting .417 after his 2-hit day.

The Naturals dropped to 5-6 but moved back to .500 by taking the finale from the Hooks today. Anthony Lerew started and got the win for NWA while lefty Polin Trinidad started for CC and took the loss. More to come tomorrow.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: rainout

The Rocks are 7-4 and set for a doubleheader today to make up the rainout. Game 1 pits Danny Duffy (1-0, 0.93) vs. Salem righty Kyle Weiland (0-0, 12.71). Game 2 features Ray Liotta (1-0, 7.94) versus Salem righty Eammon Portice (1-1, 4.91).

A - Burlington: off day

The Bees are 2-7. They start a 4-game home set versus the Kane County Cougars (7-3, A A's) tonight. Zach Peterson (1-0, 2.70) starts the opener versus Cougars righty Brett Hunter (0-0, 6.00). The Bees are 1-2 versus KC.

Royals on the Farm 4/19

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, Albuquerque 0 (3-hitter)

2B Hulett 2-3, BB, 2B (5), K, RS -- .366
RF Aldridge 2-4, K -- .200
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, BB, HR (3), 2 RBI (9), K, RS -- .195, slowly heating up
3B Metcalf 0-3, SF, RBI (7), K -- .243
CF Murphy 1-4, 2B, 2 K, RS -- .262
LF Lubanski 0-4, 2 K -- .326
DH Buchanan 0-3, BB -- .000, season debut

Bannister 2 IP, K -- 3.46 ERA, callup pending?
Newman 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 7.36 ERA
DiNardo 4 IP, H, 4 K -- SV, 2, 4.50 ERA

*** Josh Newman and Lenny DiNardo pitched 7 good innings after Brian Bannister pitched just long enough to get some action in as Omaha shut down the Isotopes, 3-0. Newman stranded 2 in the 3rd and Travis Metcalf hit a sac fly in the bottom of the inning to give Omaha a 1-0 lead. With 2 out and 1 on in the 5th, Kila Ka'aihue smoked his 3rd homer of the season for a 2-run shot to make it 3-0. DiNardo gave up a leadoff single in the 6th then retired 12 straight Isotopes to pick up his 2nd save. Starter Miguel Pinango took the loss for Albuquerque with 3 ER allowed on 7 hits and 4 walks with 5 Ks and 2 balks over 6 IP to fall to 1-2 with a 9.20 ERA. 3B Hector Luna continued his solid series with a 2-3 day with his 1st double to move to .308. CF Xavier Paul was 0-3 to drop to .487.

Omaha is 6-5 and a game back of Iowa in the division race. The teams got an early start on the series finale today as Luke Hochevar (2-0, 2.45) took on Isotopes righty Giancarlo Alvarado (0-1, 5.59).

AA - NW Arkansas: Corpus Christi 3, Naturals 2

CF Duarte 2-3, BB -- .375
C Suomi 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI (4), K, RS -- .353
LF Dickerson 0-4 -- .194
SS Lisson 0-3, BB, K, E (3) -- .250
DH McFall 0-4, K -- .270
3B J. Johnson 0-3, BB, RS -- .167
2B McConnell 0-2, HBP, 2 K -- .133

Kniginyzky 6 IP, ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 0 K -- 3.27 ERA, first quality start for any Nats pitcher in '09
Holland IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- BS, 1, L, 1-1, 2.57 ERA
de la Vara 2 IP, H, K -- 4.50 ERA

*** The Naturals had a 2-1 lead going into the 7th but the bullpen couldn't hold it as the Hooks took the series opener. Two double plays helped Matt Kniginyzky out of the first 2 innings and John Suomi helped his Canadian countryman out with a 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season in the 2nd to make it 2-0. Kniginyzky got another DP behind him in the 4th but got touched up for a run on 2 hits in the 5th to cut the lead in half. The Naturals left 2 in scoring position in the 5th and Greg Holland took over for Kniginyzky in the 7th. He loaded the bases with 1 out then gave up a sac fly and RBI single to lose the lead before getting out of the jam. RP Rob Semerano allowed a hit over 3 IP to get his 2nd save. Starter Brad James got the win with 2 ER on 4 hits and 3 walks with 3 Ks over 6 IP to move to 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA. 1B Mark Ori was 3-4 to move to .424 while SS Wladimir Sutil was 1-2 with a sac fly and 2 RBI (5) to move to .296.

The Naturals are 5-5 and a game back of Tulsa. Game 2 is tonight with CC as Dan Cortes (0-2, 8.10) tries to get back into form versus Corpus Christi righty Sergio Perez (2-0, 0.82), who stifled the Nats the last time they faced him.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Lynchburg 7 (10)

LF Lough 3-5, 2B (3), RBI (8), RS -- .317
CF Orlando 1-5, HR (key shot), 3 RBI (4), RS -- .143
3B Moustakas 1-4, BB, HR (2), 2 RBI (11), 2 RS, CS (2) -- .256
SS-1B Seratelli 1-5, RBI (2), E (2) -- .167
DH D. Robinson 0-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .279
2B Giavotella 0-3, BB, HBP, 2 RS -- .205
1B C. Robinson 1-4, 2B (5) -- .351, left game in 9th
RF Ortiz 0-4, K -- .250

Caldera 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, WP -- 4.85 ERA, start to forget
Villa 4 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 3.12 ERA
Hartsock 2 IP, ER, 2 H, HRA -- BS, 1, W, 1-0, 1.69 ERA, gave up game tying HR to Alvarez in 9th

*** A 4-run 8th had the Rocks in position for a comeback win but Pirates top prospect Pedro Alvarez kept the Hillcats' hopes alive until Anthony Seratelli hit a clutch walkoff bunt single in the 10th. Mike Moustakas hit his 2nd homer of the season for a solo shot in the 1st and Wilmington had a 1-0 lead. Alex Caldera stranded a Hillcat at third in the 2nd then gave up 3 runs in the 3rd on 2 doubles, a single and 2 walks. The Rocks got runners at the corners with none out in the 4th but squandered the scoring chance. Caldera was pulled with 2 in scoring position with none out in the 5th and Kelvin Villa gave up a sac fly and 2-run double to make it 6-1 Lynchburg, and Johnny Giavotella nailed a runner at the plate to keep the score that way. The Rocks pulled closer in their half of the inning as a 2-run error by 1B Matt Hague made it 6-3. That was the score entering the 8th when RP Christian Castorri came in for Lynchburg and a Giavotella HBP and Moustakas walk were followed by a David Lough RBI double and a clutch 3-run homer by Paulo Orlando for his 1st of the year to make it 7-6 Rocks. Aaron Hartsock got the first 2 outs via groundout in the 9th but Alvarez lived up to his billing with a solo homer for his 3rd of the season to tie the game at 7. With 1 out in the Wilmington 10th, Jeff Bianchi and Lough singled and, with 2 out, Seratelli came through with a bunt single toward Alvarez to end the game in almost "Major League" fashion. Of course, this isn't the majors in a pennant winning situation and Seratelli isn't an old catcher with bad knees, but not everything can be Hollywood. Castorri blew his first save and took the loss with 2 2/3 IP of 5 ER allowed on 5 hits and a walk with 2 Ks to move his ERA to 12.15. Starter Matt McSwain allowed an ER on 4 hits with a K over 3 2/3 IP to move his ERA to 3.65. RF Miles Durham was 3-5 with 2 doubles (5) and 2 RBI (6) to move his BA to .233, Alvarez and DH Alex Presley had 2 hits with Alvarez chipping in his 16th RBI and both scoring twice. SS Jordy Mercer had 3 RBI (9) and made his 6th error.

The Rocks are 7-4 and tied with the Hillcats for first. A 3-game home set with the Salem Red Sox (6-5) starts tonight as Danny Duffy (1-0, 0.93) pitches vs. Salem righty Kyle Weiland (0-0, 12.71). (Actually it was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow). The Salem roster features Sox prospects OF Ryan Kalish (.353 BA, 1.069 OPS, 4 SB in 34 AB), SS Yamaico Navarro (on DL, only 7 AB), Weiland (2.82 WHIP in 5 2/3 IP), OF Che-Hsuan Lin (.179/.544 in 28 AB), and C Luis Exposito (.310/.934 in 29 AB). Former Royals IF Carlos Febles is Salem's hitting coach.

A - Burlington: rainout

The Bees are 2-7 and 5 games back of first. They had today off.

Royals on the Farm 4/18

Zack Greinke starts are becoming an event for me. I'm assuming it's the same for other Royals fans. He has a legitimate chance to become the best Royals starter since Saberhagen, and hopefully the Royals don't screw it up by ending up trading him for dimes on the dollar. I don't think they will, especially now that they have him locked up for a few years contractually. The first two games of the Texas series have been fun to watch. It's looking more and more like Kyle Davies' consistency may be the key to the Royals staying in contention. And how soon Hochevar takes Horacio's place in the rotation.

AAA - Omaha: Albuquerque 5, O-Royals 4

C House 4-5, 2B (2), RS -- .405
1B Ka'aihue 2-5, K -- .184
CF Murphy 2-4, BB, RBI (2), 2 K, SB (4) -- .263
3B Metcalf 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (6), RS -- .265
RF Falu 0-3, SF, RBI -- .308
2B Hulett 0-4, BB, RS -- .342, moved up to 2 slot
LF Lubanski 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .359, hit streak snapped
DH Shealy 1-4, K, RS -- .256
* Omaha stranded 10.

Chen 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K, HRA -- 3.60 ERA
Rosa 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 0-2, 6.00 ERA, gave up big blow in game
Hughes 1 2/3 IP, BB, 3 K -- 1.93 ERA

*** A 5-run rally including a key grand slam helped the Isotopes scratch out a win to take the first 2 of the series from Omaha. The Royals loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st and Travis Metcalf hit an RBI forceout to get Omaha on the board. Bruce Chen pitched well as he didn't give up a hit until the 4th, when he stranded 2 in scoring position. Irving Falu hit a sac fly in the 4th and Tommy Murphy hit an RBI single before the Royals left 2 in scoring position themselves. Chen finally got dinged in the 5th as he served up a 2-out solo homer to 3B Hector Luna (his 2nd in 2 days) and then was pulled after giving up a single and walk. Carlos Rosa came in, loaded the bases with a single, then gave up a grand slam to 1B Val Pascucci for his 1st homer of the season to make it 5-3 Albuquerque. The Royals loaded the bases to start their half of the 5th but Henry Bonilla came in and pulled a Houdini to escape the jam. J.R. House doubled to lead off the Royals 7th and scored on a Metcalf groundout to cut the lead to 1 but the Royals would leave the tying run at third in the 9th as Tanyon Sturtze picked up his 3rd save. Bonilla pitched 2 hitless innings for the win to lower his ERA to 2.35. Starter Shawn Estes allowed 3 ER on 9 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks over 4 IP to move his ERA to 4.50. The Isotopes only had 5 hits in the win. Pascucci was 1-3 as his 4 RBI took his season total to 7 and he is hitting only .194. CF Xavier Paul was 1-4 to drop his BA to .528.

The O-Royals are 5-5 and 1.5 games out while on their 3-game skid. Game 3 of the series is today as Brian Bannister (0-1, 4.09) takes on Isotopes righty Miguel Pinango (1-1, 12.46).

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, San Antonio 2

1B McFall 1-4, RBI (14), 2 K -- .303
RF Parraz 1-2, HBP, RBI (3), SB (2) -- .250
C Howell 0-2, SF, RBI (3), PB -- .385
CF Duarte 0-4, K -- .345
2B Mertins 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .231
DH Lisson 1-4, RS -- .276
3B C. Smith 1-4, 2B (2), K, 2 RS -- .158, only XBH of game for NWA
SS McConnell 0-3, K -- .154

B. Wood 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- 7.00 ERA, 68 pitches
Nicoll 2 IP, H, K -- 1.23 ERA
Hayes 4 IP, 3 H, BB, K -- W, 2-0, 1.35 ERA

*** The Naturals culled together 5 runs in the 5th and 6th and used 6 scoreless innings of relief from Chris Nicoll and Chris Hayes to lock down the win. Starter Blake Wood gave up 2 runs in the 1st on 2 hits, a walk and a passed ball on Jeff Howell. He walked 2 more in the 3rd and was pulled after the inning with 68 pitches in his count. Missions SP Nathan Culp was perfect through 4 but ran into trouble in the 5th as Corey Smith led off with a double, scored on a Brian McFall single and Howell hit a sac fly to tie the game at 2. Kurt Mertins walked and scored on an error in the 6th, Jordan Parraz took a bases-loaded hit by pitch and another error scored Smith to make it 5-2 Naturals. Hayes had no 1-2-3 innings but wasn't really threatened either as he stranded 1 in the 9th for his 2nd win. RP John Hudgins took the loss with 1 1/3 IP of 3 unearned runs on a hit and 2 walks with 2 Ks to fall to 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA. Culp allowed 2 ER on 3 hits with 3 Ks over 4 2/3 IP to move his ERA to 2.79. LF Luis Durango was 3-5 with his 1st error and 4th SB to move to .382. RF Mike Baxter had 2 RBI (13) and his 2nd SB as he was 1-3 with a walk and his 3rd double to move to .378.

NWA is 5-4 and back in a 3-way tie for first. A 3-game set versus the Corpus Christi Hooks (4-5, AA Astros) starts today. The Nats were 2-1 versus the Hooks in their first meeting in Texas. Today's starters are Matt Kniginyzky (0-0, 5.40) and CC righty Brad James (0-0, 4.50).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 9, Lynchburg 3

3B Moustakas 2-4, 2B (3), HR, 3 RBI (9), K, 2 RS -- .256
C Eigsti 3-3, BB, 2 2B, RBI (3), 2 RS, CS, picked off runner -- .250
RF Lough 2-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI (7), K -- .278
CF D. Robinson 2-5, RBI (5), RS, SB (7), E -- .308
SS Bianchi 1-4, 3B, RBI (5), K, RS -- .289
LF Ortiz 1-4, 3B, RBI (4) -- .281
2B Giavotella 1-4, BB, 2B, 2 RS -- .222
1B C. Robinson 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .364, hit streak snapped

Teaford 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 5 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 1.93 ERA, solid start
Chavez 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA
C. Rodriguez 2 IP, ER, H, BB, 3 K -- 5.79 ERA

*** The Rocks broke out the bats Saturday as Mike Moustakas clubbed his 1st homer of the season and Wilmington rolled past Lynchburg. Starter Everett Teaford had a rough 1st as the Hillcats scored a run on 3 hits and a Derrick Robinson error in center. Teaford served up a solo homer to CF Marcus Davis (his 2nd) in the 2nd to make it 2-0 Hillcats, but the Rocks answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd as Jeff Bianchi led off with a triple and scored on a David Lough groundout. Ryan Eigsti added an RBI double and was tripled home by Adrian Ortiz to make it 3-2 Rocks. Moustakas went solo in the 3rd to make it 4-2 and the Rocks added 3 in the 5th on a 2-run Moustakas double and a Lough RBI double. Teaford retired the last 10 he faced and Chris Chavez stranded the bases loaded in the 7th. Johnny Giavotella doubled and scored on a Bianchi groundout in the 7th but Craig Rodriguez allowed a run in the 8th on an RBI single by top Buccos prospect 3B Pedro Alvarez. Eigsti doubled and scored on a Derrick Robinson single in the 8th to make it 9-3 and Rodriguez struck out the side in the 9th to finish the victory. Four Hillcats pitchers got touched up for runs but it was starter Paul Mildren who took the loss with 2 IP of 3 ER on 3 hits, a walk and K to fall to 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA. 1B Matt Hague was 2-4 with his 8th RBI to move to .361 and Alvarez was 1-3 with a walk, his 15th RBI and K to move to .219.

The Rocks are 6-4 and a game back of Lynchburg. The series is wrapping this afternoon as Alex Caldera (0-1, 2.00) was set to hurl against Hillcats righty Matt McSwain (0-0, 4.15). Lynchburg has a lead in the middle innings.

A - Burlington: Beloit 7, Bees 5

LF Tucker 2-4, RBI (2), RS, SB -- .200
RF Francis 2-4 -- .345
3B Martin 1-3, SF, RBI (3), RS -- .152
DH McCauley 1-3, HBP, 2B (3), RBI (3), RS -- .217
C Bonilla 1-4, RBI (4), RS -- .217
CF Norris 1-3, BB, HBP, SB (3) -- .227
SS Alfaro 1-4 -- .217
1B D. Wood 0-3, HBP, K -- .000, season debut

B. Hardy 4 IP, 5 ER, 11 H, 3 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 4.50 ERA, not a kind day for WHIP or BAA
Baez 3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, WP -- 5.14 ERA
Saito IP, 2 K -- 6.35 ERA

*** A 4-run Beloit 1st set the tone and the Bees couldn't come back to lose 2 out of 3 in the series. Blaine Hardy got his 1st start for the Bees and gave up a homer to Snappers leadoff man SS Nicholas Romero in the 1st. With 1 on and 2 out, 2 singles and a double brought in 3 more runs to make it 4-0 Snappers. The Bees rallied for 2 runs in the 3rd as Wilson Tucker scored on a wild pitch and Kyle Martin hit a sac fly to cut the lead in half, but the Bees stranded 2. Hardy gave up another run on 2 hits in the 3rd to make it 5-2 but the Bees got the run back in the 4th on a Tucker RBI single. Nick Francis was thrown out trying to stretch a hit into a double to lead off the 6th and it may have cost the Bees a run as Jose Bonilla singled home a run with 2 outs to make it 5-3. Manauris Baez allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a wild pitch in the 6th to make it 7-3 and Sean McCauley doubled home a run in the 8th but that was all the Bees could muster as RP Henry Reyes pitched 3 1/3 innings for his 1st save. RP Daniel Berlind got the win with 2 2/3 IP of 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits with a K to move to 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA. Starter Brad Tippett allowed 2 ER on 4 hits and a walk over 3 IP to move his ERA to 5.63. DH Dominic De La Osa and C Eli Tintor had 3-hit games for Beloit with 2 others having 2-hit games and Romero and RF Michael Harrington driving in 2 runs each. Romero's homer was his 1st of the season and Harrington chipped in an OF assist. De La Osa also swiped his 1st base of the season.

The Bees are 2-7 and now in the cellar of the division. Today's series finale was rained out and will be made up in June.