Royals on the Farm 7/27

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 6, O-Royals 5

DH Aldridge 3-5, 2B (11), HR (11), 3 RBI (45), 2 K, RS -- .296
LF Thorman 2-4, BB, 2B (12), 2 RBI (49), RS -- .282
RF Hulett 2-3, 2 BB, 2B (20), K, RS -- .309
1B Ka'aihue 0-1, 4 BB, RS -- .264
3B Lisson 0-5, 2 K, SB (5) -- .243
* Omaha stranded 12.

Phillips 8 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 5.92 ERA
C. Hayes 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H -- BS, 3, L, 1-4, 3.33 ERA

*** Round Rock bookended 3-run innings as Chris Hayes blew his 3rd save in the 9th. 1B Mark Saccomanno hammered a 3-run homer (his 10th) off Heath Phillips in the 1st and the Express had a 3-0 lead. Omaha left the bases loaded in the 1st but got a leadoff homer from Cory Aldridge (his 11th) in the 2nd to cut into the lead. Luis Hernandez was thrown out at the plate in the inning and Omaha would strand 2 more. Aldridge came back up in the 3rd with 2 on and 1 out and laced a 2-run double to right to tie the game. Omaha stranded 2 in the 4th but Scott Thorman came up with a 2-out, bases-loaded, 2-run single in the 6th to make it 5-3 Royals. Phillips was pulled with runners at second and third and 1 out in the 9th and Hayes came in to give up a 2-run triple to Saccomanno, and the eventual game-winning RBI single to DH John Gall made it 6-5 Round Rock. Thorman led off the Omaha 9th with a double but was thrown out at third on the next play and the Royals left the tying run at second. RP Casey Daigle (aka Mr. Jennie Finch) picked up his 4th save as RP Josh Muecke allowed 2 ER over 5 IP for the win to move to 4-8 with a 5.16 ERA. Starter Felipe Paulino allowed 3 ER on 5 hits and 5 walks with 2 Ks over 3 IP to move his ERA to 2.28. Saccomanno was 3-4 with his 4th triple, the HR, 5 RBI (46) and 2 RS to improve to .269. Gall was 2-4 with his 41st RBI to move to .263. SS Tommy Manzella also had 2 hits.

The O-Royals are 41-60. A 4-game home set with the Iowa Cubs (52-50) starts tonight. Probable starters are Brandon Duckworth (2-5, 5.67) and Iowa lefty Casey Fossum (2-2, 4.68). Word from Minda Haas at Royal Blues is that OF Jordan Parraz is headed to Omaha.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 4, Springfield 3

SS Bianchi 2-5, 2 K, RS, SB (5) -- .369
2B Maddox 2-5, 2B (3), RS, CS (2) -- .263
DH V. Wilson 2-4, 2 K, RS -- .347
LF Duarte 1-3, BB, 2B (10), 2 RBI (29) -- .251
RF Lough 1-4, RBI (14), RS, E (2) -- .345
1B C. Smith 0-3, SF, RBI (68) -- .253
CF Dyson 0-4, BB, 2 K -- .253
C Clark 1-3, BB -- .328

Lerew 7 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 5 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 6-5, 4.71 ERA
Castaneda 2 IP, 3 K -- SV, 1, 1.69 ERA

*** The Naturals swept the Cards by a count of 44-20 in 4 games. Anthony Lerew allowed a run in the 3rd but stranded the bases full. David Lough tied it with an RBI single in the 4th and the Naturals added 2 more runs on a 2-out, 2-run Jose Duarte double to make it 3-1 NWA. NWA left the bases full in the 6th and a Corey Smith sac fly in the 7th stretched the lead to 4-1. Lerew allowed 2 runs in the 7th but left the would-be tying run at third. Federico Castaneda followed with 2 perfect innings of relief for his 1st AA save. Cards SP Lance Lynn allowed 3 ER on 7 hits and 3 walks with 4 Ks over 6 IP to fall to 9-4 with a 3.30 ERA. Five Cards had a hit each.

The Naturals are 20-9 and 3 games up on first. A 3-day, 4-game set at the second-place Tulsa Drillers (17-12, AA Rockies) starts tonight with Blake Johnson (6-6, 5.35) facing Tulsa righty Sam Deduno (9-2, 2.43). The Nats are 7-8 versus Tulsa. The Royals have traded OF Cody Strait to the Rays for cash. He's a solid player, but wasn't probably going anywhere with KC's organization. C Jeff Howell has rejoined the team after rehabbing his broken thumb.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 1, Lynchburg 0 (4-hitter)

SS Seratelli 2-3, K, CS (5) -- .289
RF Van Stratten 0-3, RBI -- .083
3B Moustakas 1-3 -- .247
DH C. Robinson 1-3, 2B (20), K, RS -- .285
CF D. Robinson 1-3, S, 2B (14) -- .227
2B Giavotella 1-4 -- .255
1B Hosmer 0-3 -- .269, had hit in every game with Rocks until Mon.

Paulino 7 IP, 3 H, 4 K -- W, 4-6, 4.22 ERA
Basurto 1 2/3 IP, H, K -- 3.86 ERA
Sisk 1/3 IP, BB, K -- SV, 11, 2.18 ERA

*** Three Rocks pitchers combined on a gem to shut down the Hillcats. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 1st and the only run came in the 4th when Clint Robinson led off with a double and scored on a Nick Van Stratten RBI groundout. Rocks pitchers retired 11 in a row going into the 9th and made it 13 before Brandon Sisk stranded 2 for his 11th save. Lynchburg SP Matt McSwain took a very tough loss with 7 IP of an ER on 6 hits and 2 Ks to fall to 8-6 with a 3.46 ERA. Four different 'Cats had hits.

The Rocks are 16-14 and 4 1/2 games back. Game 2 is tonight with Danny Duffy (8-3, 3.26) facing Hillcats righty Ron Uviedo (5-3, 3.24).

A - Burlington: Bees 5, Ft. Wayne 4

LF Norris 2-4, RS, SB (34) -- .259
DH Griffin 1-3, HR, 2 RBI (8), RS -- .296
1B Graterol 1-2, S, RBI, K -- .353
RF Francis 1-4, RBI (50), picked off, OF assist at second -- .265
CF Ortiz 0-3, BB, RS, SB -- .214
3B Taylor 1-4, K, RS, SB (3) -- .261
C Bonilla 0-2, BB, RS, PB (9) -- .220

C. Rodriguez 2 1/3 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- 0.00 ERA
Thompson 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 2.64 ERA
Bowden 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K -- W, 3-2, 2.68 ERA

*** The Bees took 2 of 3 from the best team in the MWL with Monday's win. Patrick Norris hit a 2-out single in the 3rd, stole second and scored on an error to give Burlington a 1-0 lead. James Thompson loaded the bases with 0 out in the 4th and allowed 2 runs before getting out of the jam. Juan Graterol tied it back up with an RBI single in the 4th and Barry Bowden came on to strand 2 TinCaps in the 6th. Shawn Griffin gave the Bees the lead with a 2-run homer in the 7th for his 1st at the A level to make it 4-2. Bowden loaded the bases with 0 out in the 8th and ended up losing the lead before leaving the bases full. Nick Francis hit a 2-out RBI single in the 8th to make it 5-4 Bees and Bowden stranded 1 in the 9th for the win. RP Rob Musgrave took the loss with 1 ER allowed in 1 IP to fall to 1-4 with a 6.17 ERA. Starter Mike Watt worked 7 IP of 4 runs (3 ER) allowed on 5 hits and a walk with 2 Ks to move his ERA to 3.58. 2B Kevin Hansen had 2 hits and 2 RBI (22) along with his 8th double to move to .242, and 1B Allan Dykstra also had 2 hits for Fort Wayne.

The Bees are 13-16 and 4 games out. They should have some confidence going into a 3-game set at the West Michigan Whitecaps (18-12, A Tigers). Sam Runion (3-6, 6.30) is set to start the opener versus Whitecaps righty Mark Sorensen (7-2, 2.48).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Ogden 9, Chukars 4

DH Testa 2-4, HR (4), RBI (16), RS, SB (5) -- .315
2B Franco 2-5, K, 2 RS, SB (10) -- .218
CF H. Richardson 2-3, K, RS, 2 SB (13) -- .326
SS D. Batista 1-3, SF, 2 RBI (29) -- .307
3B Alfaro 0-3, BB, RBI (10), 2 K, E (7) -- .272
C Theriot 1-4, 2B (3), 2 K -- .340
CF Cooper 0-1, K -- .159

Halliman 4 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, 2 HRA, WP -- L, 2-1, 5.91 ERA
Wooley 4 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 7 K -- 4.07 ERA

*** Ogden took an early lead and held on to take sole command of first place in the division. IF stranded 2 in the 1st and Chukars SP Pernell Halliman walked the leadoff batter before giving up a 2-run homer to 3B Austin Yount (his 2nd, Robin's nephew). Halliman also served up a 2-run shot to SS Bryant Hernandez (his 1st) in the 2nd to make it 4-0 Raptors. Carlo Testa led off the 4th with his 4th homer of the season but Ogden answered with 2 off Halliman in the bottom of the inning. The Chukars stayed in the game with 2 runs in the 5th on a J.D. Alfaro RBI groundout and Deivy Batista sac fly that cut it to 6-3. Nick Wooley gave up 3 runs in the 6th as Ogden pretty much put it away. Batista hit an RBI single in the 7th but the Chukars wouldn't have another baserunner. Ogden SP Elisaul Pimentel got the win with 5 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) allowed on 6 hits with 4 Ks to improve to 3-2 with a 3.62 ERA. RF Brian Cavazos-Galvez was 3-5 with 3 doubles (18) and 2 RBI (26) to move to .328 and two other Raptors had 2 hits. Yount had 2 hits, including his HR, and 3 RBI (11) with 3 K and 2 RS to move to .302. Hernandez also had 2 RBI (4).

The Chukars are 18-12 and 1 game back. A 3-game home set with the Orem Owlz (17-15, Rookie Angels) starts tonight with Justin Garcia (0-0, 0.00) making the start versus Orem lefty Patrick Corbin (0-1, 7.36). IF is 4-3 versus Orem thus far. The first half ends Sunday.

Rookie - Burlington: Danville 2, B-Royals 1

C Moctezuma 2-4, 2 2B (4), RBI (3), PB (3) -- .300
LF Pickett 1-4, SB (8) -- .264
RF Del Rosario 0-4, 3 K -- .315
SS R. Wood 0-3, BB -- .174
3B G. Hall 0-1, BB, S, K -- .000, pro debut?

Billo 7 IP, UER, 2 H, 8 K -- 2.84 ERA, great start
Fortuna 1 2/3 IP, ER, H, K, WP -- L, 1-4, 4.22 ERA

*** The Royals got the game tied in the 9th but lost on a walkoff wild pitch shortly thereafter. The Royals stranded 2 in the 2nd and Danville got its first run in the 2nd on a passed ball. The Royals stranded 2 in the 4th and 6th and 7 Royals had gone down in a row going into the 9th. Miguel Moctezuma hit a clutch RBI double in the 9th to tie the game at 1. SS Mycal Jones hit a 1-out double in the bottom of the 9th off Carlos Fortuna, advanced on a groundout then scored on a wild pitch to end it. RP Thomas Berryhill blew his 2nd save but got the win with an ER allowed in 1 IP to move to 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA. Starter Brett Oberholtzer worked 3 2/3 scoreless IP with 3 hits and a walk allowed with 4 Ks to lower his ERA to 1.42. RF Cory Harrilchak was 1-4 with a K and his 9th SB to drop to .345.

The B-Royals are 10-23. The series shifts to Burlington for 3 games starting tonight as Leondy Perez (1-3, 3.03) faces Braves lefty Tyler Stovall (1-0, 4.22). IF Gerard Hall, as noted, has been added to the roster.

Rookie - AZL: Indians 6, Royals 5

3B Figueroa 3-5, RBI (19), RS -- .279
SS Trapp 2-5, 2B (2), 3B, 2 RBI (10) -- .350
DH L. Adams 2-4, BB, K, 2 RS, SB -- .250
2B A. Martinez 2-5, K -- .229
CF Llanos 1-3, BB, S, RBI (16), RS, SB (11), CS (3), OF assist at second -- .292
RF Mariano 1-4, RBI (2), 2 K, RS -- .200
LF Lubanski 1-4, BB, K -- .462
1B G. Baldwin 0-1, K -- .299, left in third with leg injury
* The Royals stranded 11.

Amador 5 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 8 H, BB, 2 K -- 6.96 ERA
E. Diaz 2 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, WP, balk -- BS, 2, L, 1-1, 3.12 ERA
L. Roberts 1/3 IP, nothing -- 1.46 ERA

*** The Indians scored 2 in the 8th for the win. Ezequiel Amador allowed a run in the 1st and the Royals blew a chance in the 3rd as Alex Llanos was caught stealing right before a Justin Trapp triple. The Royals stranded 2 in the inning, but roared back with 4 in the 4th on a Miguel Mariano RBI single, Llanos RBI single and 2-run Trapp double to take a 4-1 lead. The Royals added a run in the 5th on a Yunior Figueroa RBI single before stranding 2. Amador stranded 2 Indians in the 5th but was pulled after giving up a single and 2 doubles to start the 5th. Eric Diaz allowed 1 more run to come in to cut it to 5-4 before escaping the inning. The Royals stranded 2 in the 7th and 8th. Diaz allowed a run-scoring wild pitch to tie it in the 8th and SS Jose Camargo hit the go-ahead RBI single. RP Daniel Jimenez pitched 4 scoreless innings for the win to move to 4-1 with a 2.57 ERA. Starter Joseph Colon allowed 3 hits and 2 walks with 3 Ks over 3 IP to move his ERA to 3.12. Five Indians had multiple hits led by 3 hits from 2B Lurvin Basabe, who scored twice in improving to .375. Camargo and 1B Chris Kersten had 2 RBI.

The Royals are 0-2. They play the 1-1 Padres tonight.