Royals on the Farm 7/28 -- a Gutierrez appearance for Wilmington

Wow, a 2-game winning streak. Let's see if Zack can get some run support tonight.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, Iowa 4

3B Metcalf 2-4, HR (9), 3 RBI (45), K -- .221
LF Thorman 2-4, RBI (50), K, RS -- .285
DH Hulett 1-3, BB, HR (6), RBI (41), 2 RS -- .309
1B Ka'aihue 0-3, BB, RS -- .261
RF Parraz 0-2, BB, HBP, CS -- .000, AAA debut

Duckworth 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 K, 2 WP -- W, 3-5, 5.59 ERA
Farnsworth IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Holland 2 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, HRA -- SV, 1, 6.00 ERA

*** Three Royal runs in the 1st made for a successful night for Omaha, as the Royals made the most of 6 hits. Brandon Duckworth labored in the 1st as the Cubs took a 1-0 lead. With 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 1st, Scott Thorman hit an RBI single and, after Jordan Parraz was hit by a pitch in his first AAA plate appearance, Travis Metcalf hit a 2-run single to make it 3-1 Omaha. Iowa tied it off Duckworth in the 3rd on 3 hits and 2 wild pitches before an out was recorded. Metcalf led off the Omaha 4th with his 9th homer of the season and Tug Hulett led off the 5th with his 6th homer of the season to give the Royals a 5-3 lead. Duckworth stranded 2 in the 6th but RP Greg Holland gave up a solo homer to LF John-Ford Griffin (his 4th) in the 8th to trim the lead to 1. Holland put 2 on with 2 out in the 9th before getting a game-ending lineout to finish his 1st AAA save. Cubs SP Casey Fossum took the loss with 5 ER allowed on 5 hits and 3 walks with 3 Ks over 5 IP to fall to 2-3 with a 5.40 ERA. CF Sam Fuld and DH Jason Dubois had 2 hits for Iowa. Fuld scored twice and 2B Aaron Miles drove in 2 runs.

The O-Royals are 42-60. Game 2 is tonight as Lenny DiNardo (6-4, 3.45) faces I-Cubs righty Greg Reinhard (2-3, 4.64). The Omaha World-Herald report regarding Stephen Randolph was incorrect, as he is headed to Japan, not Korea. Also, the team site and Tuesday's box score confirm that OF Jordan Parraz is in AAA. As noted, RP Kyle Farnsworth is slated to rehab with Omaha.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 3, Naturals 2

CF Dyson 4-5, SB (14), OF assist at third -- .279
RF Lough 2-4, RBI (15), K, CS (2) -- .352
DH V. Wilson 1-3, BB, 2B (8), RBI (18), K -- .346
SS Bianchi 1-4, BB, 2 K, CS (3) -- .366
2B Mertins 1-5, 3 K -- .285
C Howell 0-3, BB, K -- .295
3B Maddox 0-1, 3 BB, RS -- .256
* NWA stranded 10.

B. Johnson 6 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- L, 6-7, 5.27 ERA
Swaggerty 1 2/3 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- 4.76 ERA

*** The Naturals outhit the Drillers but didn't outscore them. The Naturals left the bases full in the 2nd and had 2 runners thrown out on the basepaths in the 3rd. Tulsa struck for 2 runs on 2 doubles and a walk in the 4th and Jarrod Dyson was thrown out at third to end the NWA 5th. The Drillers added a run in the 5th but NWA finally got on the board with a Vance Wilson RBI double in the 6th. David Lough hit a 2-out, bases-loaded RBI single in the 7th to cut the lead to 1 but the bases were left loaded and that was the last NWA threat. RP Andrew Johnston picked up his 26th save for Tulsa and SP Sam Deduno got the win with 6 IP of an ER allowed on 7 hits and 5 walks with 8 Ks to improve to 10-2 with a 2.36 ERA. C Mike McKenry had 3 hits including his 21st double to move to .265 and LF Brad Corley had 2 hits for the Drillers plus an OF assist at second.

The Naturals are 20-10 and 2 games up on first. The teams play a doubleheader tonight as Everett Teaford (3-3, 5.27) faces Tulsa lefty Brandon Durden (3-2, 3.54) in game 1. Haven't seen who the game 2 starters are.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 6, Lynchburg 4

LF Orlando 2-4, 2B (18), HR (2), 4 RBI (28), K, 2 RS, OF assist at third -- .256
2B Fontaine 2-3, RBI (8), K, CS -- .344
DH C. Robinson 2-4, 2B (21), K, 2 RS -- .288
3B Moustakas 1-3, HBP, HR (12), RBI (62), 2 RS -- .247
CF D. Robinson 1-4, K -- .227
RF Van Stratten 1-4 -- .107
1B Hosmer 1-4 -- .267

Duffy 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K -- 3.51 ERA, left with tightness in back
Villa 3 2/3 IP, 4 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 3-6, 3.90 ERA
Gutierrez IP, H -- 0.00 ERA, '09 debut for Dan
Chavez IP, BB, K -- SV, 3, 2.08 ERA

*** Dan Gutierrez finally made his 2009 debut in relief and Wilmington got 3 runs in the 4th to fuel the win. Paulo Orlando hammered a 2-run homer in the 2nd for his 2nd of the season but Danny Duffy's short outing started going south in the 3rd with 2 runs on a walk and 2 hits. Three hits to start the 4th scored 2 more runs and chased Duffy, who had some tightness in his lower back, for Kelvin Villa. Orlando stroked a 2-run double in the bottom of the 4th to tie it and Chase Fontaine added an RBI single to make it 5-4 Rocks. Both teams took turns stranding runners and Gutierrez pitched around a double in an inning of work in the 8th. Mike Moustakas led off the Wilmington 8th with his 12th homer of the season to make it 6-4. Chris Chavez stranded 2 in the 9th for his 3rd save. Hillcats SP Ron Uviedo took the loss with 5 IP of 5 ER allowed on 7 hits with 3 Ks to drop to 5-4 with a 3.61 ERA. 2B Jose De Los Santos led the 'Cats with 3 hits to move to .248 while DH Kent Sakamoto had 2 hits and SS Jordy Mercer and RF Erik Huber drove in 2 runs each.

The Rocks are 18-14 and 3 games back for the moment following a walkoff win in today's getaway day series finale. Zach Peterson got the win for Wilmington.

A - Burlington: West Michigan 7, Bees 2

DH Griffin 2-4, 2 2B (5), RS -- .310
LF Ortiz 1-4, RBI (4) -- .219
SS Molina 0-3, RBI (3), K -- .172
CF Norris 1-4, 3B (2), K, RS -- .259
3B Taylor 1-4, CS (5), E (9) -- .261
RF Francis 0-4, K -- .261
C Bonilla 1-4, K -- .221

Runion 6 IP, 7 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP, E (2) -- L, 3-7, 6.55 ERA, let's face it, he gives up more hits than an iPod Shuffle
B. Hardy 2 IP, 2 K -- 2.33 ERA

*** West Michigan knocked Sam Runion around and scored 3 in the 1st en route to the win. Runion gave up 4 hits, including a 2-run homer to Whitecaps DH Billy Nowlin (his 8th) as part of the 1st inning rally to put the Bees down, 3-0. WM added a run in the 3rd to make it 4-0 but Shawn Griffin doubled and scored on a Yeldrys Molina groundout in the 5th to cut into the lead. The Whitecaps responded with 3 more runs on 2 doubles, a walk and sac fly to make it 7-1. Patrick Norris tripled and scored on an Adrian Ortiz groundout in the 6th but that was all the Bees would get. Whitecaps SP Mark Sorensen went the distance, allowing 2 ER on 7 hits with 5 Ks to move to 8-2 with a 2.44 ERA. 1B Jordan Lennerton had 3 hits and 2 RBI (48) for West Michigan while 2 others had 2 hits and Nowlin's HR drove in 2 runs (54). He and 2B Brandon Douglas both scored twice.

The Bees are 13-17 and 4 games back. Game 2 is tonight as Tim Melville (3-5, 4.10) faces Whitecaps righty Luke Putkonen (6-7, 3.81).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 2, Chukars 0 (4-hitter)

SS D. Batista 1-4, 2 K, CS (3) -- .305
2B Franco 1-4, 2B (4), K, E (8) -- .219
CF Testa 0-4, 2 K -- .299
C S. Perez 0-3, BB, PB (3) -- .278
DH Stovall 0-3, K -- .200

J. Garcia 4 IP, 5 H, K -- 0.00 ERA
Arias 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- L, 1-3, 5.09 ERA
Toribio 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, E -- 3.27 ERA
Hodge 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 5.54 ERA

*** Two runs in the middle innings got Orem the win in a 4-hit shutout. IF stranded 2 in the 2nd and Carlos Arias gave up a leadoff triple in the 5th as Orem scored its first run before stranding 2. IF stranded 2 in the 5th and Arias and Aneidy Toribio allowed another run in the 6th. The Chukars didn't really threaten again. Orem RP Jonathan Garrett picked up his 2nd save, and P Patrick Corbin worked 5 scoreless innings for the win to move to 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA. Garrett Richards started for the Owlz and allowed a hit and walk with 2 Ks over 2 IP to keep a spotless ERA. Three Owlz had 2 hits, including 2B Jean Segura, who hit his 10th double and drove in his 19th RBI to move to .373. He also made his 6th error. CF Travis Witherspoon hit 2 triples (4) and drove in his 4th run to move to .209.

The Chukars are 18-13 and 2 games back. Game 2 is tonight as Ryan Morgan (2-0, 3.52) faces Owlz righty Carson Andrew (1-0, 2.21).

Rookie - Burlington: Danville 6, B-Royals 4

CF G. Beltre 2-4, 2 2B (7), RBI (15), K, RS -- .220
DH Moctezuma 2-4, 3B, RS -- .333
C F. Cruz 1-3, S, RBI (12), RS, SB -- .263
3B G. Hall 1-4, 2B, RBI -- .200, first pro RBI?
LF Pickett 0-4, BB, 2 K, 2 SB (10), CS (6) -- .250
SS Espinal 1-3, 2 BB, K, RS, 2 SB (12), picked off, E (11) -- .221
RF Del Rosario 0-4, 2 K, E (2) -- .304

L. Perez 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, BB, 6 K, 2 HRA, 2 WP -- 3.38 ERA
Cuevas 3 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, K, WP -- L, 0-2, 3.47 ERA
Sirrett 2/3 IP, UER, 2 H, K -- 1.69 ERA

*** Burlington had the game tied going into the 9th but then the tie fell apart as the Braves surged ahead for the win. Back-to-back homers by SS Mycal Jones (his 4th) and RF Cory Harrilchak (his 1st) in the 1st and an RBI double made it 3-0 Braves after 1. The Royals had 2 in scoring position with 0 out in the 1st but squandered the chance. The game stayed 3-0 until the 6th when the Royals rallied back on a Geulin Beltre RBI double, Fernando Cruz RBI single and run-scoring wild pitch to tie it at 3. RP Gary Cuevas left the bases loaded in the 8th but wasn't as lucky in the 9th as he was pulled with 1 out and 2 on. Onassis Sirrett came in and allowed 2 RBI singles aided by a Luis Del Rosario error in right to make it 6-3 Braves. Miguel Moctezuma tripled and scored on a Gerard Hall double in the 9th but the Royals didn't have another rally in them. RP Casey Hodges picked up his 1st save. RP Cody Railsback picked up the blown save but also the win with 2 2/3 scoreless IP to move to 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA. Starter Tyler Stovall allowed 3 runs (2 ER) on 5 hits and 4 walks with 6 Ks over 5 1/3 IP to move his ERA to 4.05. Harrilchak had 3 hits and 2 RBI (25) along with 2 RS to move to .357 and 2 others had 2 hits for Danville. Harrilchak also stole his 10th base.

The B-Royals are 10-24. Game 3 is tonight as Keaton Hayenga (2-3, 3.07) takes on Danville lefty Matt Crim (5-0, 3.90). IF Ryan Wood has been promoted to A ball in Burlington after struggling at the plate in the Appy League.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 9, Padres 1

2B Piterson 3-4, HBP, RS, SB (7) -- .317
SS Trapp 3-5, K, 2 RS, SB (5) -- .378
LF Lubanski 2-4, BB, 2 HR (3), 5 RBI (13), K, 3 RS -- .467
1B G. Baldwin 2-4, HBP, 2B (4), 2 RBI (14), K -- .308
DH Llanos 2-6, 2 K, RS, picked off -- .294
C Matos 1-5, RBI (4), K, RS -- .313
RF J. Adams 0-3, 2 BB, SB -- .000, pitcher gets a position start
* The Royals stranded 10.

Peacock 4 1/3 IP, ER, 6 H, 9 K, HRA -- 3.27 ERA, nice outing
Yambati 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, BB, K -- W, 1-1, 12.60 ERA
Bavera 2 IP, BB, 3 K -- 0.79 ERA

*** The Royals got their first win of the second half thanks mainly to 7 early runs and the pitching of three members of the staff. Chris Lubanski got it started with a 2-run homer in the 1st for the 2nd of his rehab stint. The Royals poured on 5 more runs in the 2nd on a Mauricio Matos RBI single, run-scoring wild pitch, and 3-run Lubanski homer for his 2nd in 2 innings and 3rd overall in the AZL. 1B Cody Decker took Brian Peacock long in the 3rd for his 10th homer of the season but that was the only damage Peacock would take. Geoff Baldwin hit a 2-run double in the 8th to make it 9-1 and Robinson Yambati and Claudio Bavera followed Peacock with 4 2/3 scoreless IP to finish it. Pads SP John Hussey lasted only 1 1/3 IP and allowed 7 ER on 6 hits and 2 walks with 2 Ks to drop to 2-2 with a 9.67 ERA. Decker and LF Wande Olabisi had 2 hits for the Padres. Decker's RBI was his 35th.

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