Royals on the Farm 8/26 -- Nick Francis suspended in Burlington

STILL NEED FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYERS....I set up a 12-team ESPN Fantasy Football league. Draft 1 p.m. CT on Aug. 29, it's a live online draft. Pretty deep rosters, including defensive players. Either comment with your e-mail address or e-mail me at kennethlassiter@yahoo.com with your e-mail and I'll send you an invite. It's free by the way. NEED 8 MORE.

This post on Royals Authority puts it rather well, I think.


AAA - Omaha: New Orleans 4, O-Royals 2

RF Hulett 3-5, 2B (25) -- .292
DH Aldridge 1-4, HR (21), RBI (63), K, RS -- .306
SS Hernandez 1-4, RBI (21), K -- .284
3B Gordon 0-2, 3 BB -- .280
1B Ka'aihue 0-2, 2 BB, RS -- .261
* Omaha stranded 10. CF Tim Raines Jr. had an OF assist at second.

Hughes 6 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 9 K -- 3.74 ERA, has worked well in rotation
Hayes 3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 2 K, HRA -- BS, 5, L, 1-6, 4.78 ERA

*** Chris Hayes continued his AAA struggles with his 5th blown save as former Royal farmhand Gookie Dawkins hit a 3-run blast in the 9th. Luis Hernandez hit an RBI single in the 2nd and Dusty Hughes took a no-hitter into the 5th. He stranded the bases loaded on walks in the 3rd and after Omaha stranded 2 in the 3rd, he left the bases full again in the 4th. Dawkins broke up the no-hit bid with a 5th inning single. Omaha stranded 2 in the 5th and 6th and Hayes gave up 3 2-out singles in the 7th to tie the game, including the game-tying hit from Dawkins. Cory Aldridge led off the Omaha 8th with his 21st homer of the season but Hayes wouldn't hold the lead. He gave up 2 1-out singles in the 9th, then Dawkins' blast for his 5th of the season. RP Luis Ayala pitched the 9th for his 4th save for New Orleans. RP Chris Mobley allowed an ER over 3 IP to move to 3-2 with a 3.64 ERA. Starter William Glen allowed an ER over 5 IP to drop his ERA to 6.41. Dawkins had 3 hits and all 4 RBI (25) for the Zephyrs. Two others, including former Royal farmhand Dave Matranga, had 2 hits. Matranga also made his 6th error. CF Cameron Maybin was 0-5 with 2 K to drop to .319 but did have an assist at second.

The O-Royals are 56-75. Game 2 is tonight as Omaha hasn't announced the starter (as of 11:20 a.m. CT) to face Zephyrs righty Rick VandenHurk (5-1, 2.52). Actually, they're playing 2 tonight as they're completing the suspended game from July 3 before the regular game. It was tied at 2 going into the 11th.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 8, Springfield 7

LF Lough 3-5, HR (9), RBI (29), 2 K, RS -- .332
CF Dyson 3-5, 2B (6), 2 RS -- .267
RF Duarte 2-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (38), 2 RS -- .255
3B Lucas 2-3, 2 BB, HR (8), RBI (46), K, 2 RS -- .291
SS Bianchi 1-5, 2B (14), 2 RBI (34), K, 2 E (6) -- .310
DH V. Wilson 1-4, BB, RBI (29), K -- .285
C Howell 1-4, BB, GW RBI (19), K, E (6) -- .263
* NWA stranded 11.

Kniginyzky 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, K, HRA, WP -- 5.39 ERA, might be time to see what he can do out of pen
Swaggerty 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB -- 3.86 ERA
Hartsock 3 2/3 IP, ER, H, K, HRA -- W, 3-1, 3.02 ERA

*** The Naturals both lost a 4-run lead and came back from a 2-run deficit to snap a 7-game skid. Jarrod Dyson doubled and scored on a Jeff Bianchi groundout in the 1st and more damage came via the longball in the 2nd as David Lough led off with his 9th homer and Jose Duarte cranked a 2-run shot for his 3rd of the season to make it 4-0 Naturals. Matt Kniginyzky gave up 4 runs, however, in the 3rd as 1B Andrew Brown slammed a 3-run shot (his 8th) to tie the game. Ed Lucas gave NWA back the lead with his 8th homer of the season in the bottom of the inning. Ben Swaggerty gave up the tying run on 3 hits in the 5th and Aaron Hartsock allowed the go-ahead sac fly in the 6th as Springfield took a 6-5 lead. Brown led off the 7th with his 2nd homer of the game and 9th of the season to make it 7-5 Cards. The Nats came back off RP Ryan Kulik in the 7th as Bianchi hit an RBI double and Vance Wilson took a bases-loaded walk before the bases were left loaded. The score was still tied with the bases loaded and 1 out in the NWA 9th when Jeff Howell hit a walkoff single. RP Francisco Samuel took the loss with an ER allowed over 2/3 IP to fall to 3-4 with a 5.66 ERA. Starter Scott Gorgen allowed 5 ER with 6 K over 6 IP to move his ERA to 5.28. Three Cards had multiple hits, as Brown had 3 hits, including the 2 HR, and 4 RBI (32) with 2 RS to move to .276. C Steven Hill drove in 2 (61).

The Naturals are 30-28 and 2 games back. Game 3 is tonight as Rowdy Hardy (3-3, 2.72) takes on Cards righty Brandon Dickson (8-9, 3.56).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 5, Lynchburg 3 (11)

1B C. Robinson 3-4, BB, 2 RS -- .296
3B Moustakas 2-5, 2B (28), 2 RBI (81), E (24) -- .254
LF Orlando 2-5, 2 RBI (32), SB (17), CS (5) -- .262
DH Walton 2-5, 2B (8), RBI (31), K, RS -- .246
CF D. Robinson 1-5, K, RS -- .241
2B Giavotella 1-4, S, K -- .255
RF Van Stratten 1-5 -- .286

Montgomery 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H -- 2.75 ERA
Coleman IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA
Bowden 3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 5 K, 2 WP -- BS, 1, W, 2-0, 4.15 ERA
Villa IP, 3 K -- SV, 2, 3.60 ERA, dominant save

*** Paulo Orlando had the big hit in the 11th to get the Rocks their 5th straight win. Mike Montgomery stranded 2 in the 2nd but allowed a run in the 3rd before Jamar Walton hit an RBI double to tie it in the 4th. Two doubles gave Lynchburg the go-ahead run in the 6th but Mike Moustakas came through with a 2-run single in the 8th to give Wilmington a 3-2 lead. Barry Bowden blew the lead in the 8th with a bases-loaded wild pitch but got out of the jam. With 2 in scoring position and 2 out in the 11th, Orlando laced a single to center to bring 2 runs home. Kelvin Villa struck out the side in the bottom of the frame for his 2nd save. RP Moises Robles allowed the 2 ER in an IP to fall to 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA. Starter Jeff Locke allowed an ER over 6 IP to lower his ERA to 4.85. 1B Matt Hague and C Kris Watts had 2 hits for the Hillcats.

The Rocks are 38-20 and still 2 1/2 games up on first. They go for the sweep tonight as Alex Caldera (4-10, 5.51) faces Lynchburg lefty Justin Wilson (6-7, 4.33).

A - Burlington: Bees 2, Wisconsin 1

CF Norris 1-3, BB, RBI (21), SB (42), picked off -- .245
RF Ortiz 0-4, 2 K -- .241
1B Taylor 1-4, K, SB (12) -- .257
LF Griffin 0-1, 2 BB, picked off -- .295
C Bonilla 0-3 -- .219
3B Morales 0-3, K -- .310
SS R. Wood 1-3, K, RS, SB -- .247

Baez 6 IP, ER, 6 H, BB, 7 K -- 3.57 ERA
Pena Jr. 2 IP, BB, 3 K -- 4.15 ERA, OK, so maybe "I've seen enough" was premature
Thompson IP, 2 K -- W, 5-3, 2.73 ERA

*** An error brought the game to an end in the 9th. Patrick Norris hit a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to give the Bees the lead but was thrown out at second on the play. Manauris Baez left the bases full in the 5th but gave up the tying run on 2 hits in the 6th as he didn't get much run support. David Wood hit a 2-out double in the 9th and 3B Jose Duran made a crucial throwing error on a ball hit by Jason Taylor to allow Wood to score the winning run. RP Nick Tyson took the loss with the unearned run allowed over 1 2/3 IP to fall to 4-4 with a 3.06 ERA. Starter Trey Watten allowed an ER over 7 IP to lower his ERA to 4.58. Five Rattlers had a hit each.

The Bees are 30-29 and 6 1/2 games out but 4 games up on a playoff spot. The Bees go for the big sweep tonight as Ivor Hodgson (3-1, 4.50) faces Rattlers lefty Dan Meadows (13-6, 4.03). The big news in Burlington is the fact OF Nick Francis has been suspended and placed on the restricted list. He was sent home, or at least isn't with the team anymore. Manager Jim Gabella didn't get into details.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 7, Ogden 6

1B Espinosa 2-3, BB, 3 RS -- .262
2B Franco 1-4, BB, 2B (5), 2 RBI (22), RS -- .256
SS Alfaro 1-4, 3B (2), 2 RBI (19), K, RS -- .236
DH S. Perez 1-4, RBI (28) -- .305
RF Llanos 1-3, S, 2B (3), RBI (7) -- .221
CF H. Richardson 0-3, 2 BB, K, RS -- .313
C W. Myers 1-4, 2B, RS, PB, error, picked off runner -- .222
3B Stovall 1-4, K -- .293

Lamb 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, BB, 5 K, HRA, E (5) -- 3.13 ERA
Hodge 2 2/3 IP, UER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 5.91 ERA
Folmer 2 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- W, 1-1, 4.97 ERA

*** It must have been the night for walk-offs in the organization as Idaho Falls won in the bottom of the 9th. IF stranded 2 in the 1st but got a 2-out RBI double from Alex Llanos in the 2nd to take the early lead. John Lamb pitched well until giving up a solo homer to RF Brian Cavazos-Galvez (his 14th) in the 4th and then Lamb gave up 4 runs in the 5th on 4 hits, a walk and Lamb error before Mitch Hodge got the last 2 outs. Angel Franco got a Chukar rally started in the 4th with an RBI double followed by a 2-run J.D. Alfaro triple, a Salvador Perez RBI groundout and, after a Wil Myers double, a go-ahead run on an Ogden error to make it 6-5 Idaho Falls. Ogden stranded 2 in the 6th but finally got to Hodge for a run in the 7th thanks in part to Myers' first pro error. Myers picked off a runner at first in the 8th and, with 1 out and 2 on in the 9th, Franco hit a bunt up the first base line and Tito Espinosa scored from second on the play to end it. RP Daigoro Rondon allowed the ER over 2/3 IP to fall to 3-4 with a 4.12 ERA. Starter Luis Vasquez worked 4 1/3 IP of 5 runs (3 ER) allowed to move his ERA to 5.10. Three Raptors had 2 hits, including 3B Brian Ruggiano, who had his 11th double and 30th RBI and scored twice to move to .380. He also made his 8th error.

IF is 14-8 and 6 games back, as Orem is 20-2. They go for the sweep tonight with Sugar Ray Marimon (2-3, 6.21) facing an unnamed Raptors SP.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 4, Danville 3

DH F. Cruz 2-4, RS -- .279
SS Espinal 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (21), K, 2 SB (19) -- .234, has been productive of late
RF G. Beltre 1-3, BB, 2B (13), RBI (27), K -- .233
CF Pickett 0-3, HBP, RBI (9), SB (23) -- .259
LF Del Rosario 0-4, 2 K -- .266
2B Tschepikow 1-4, 3B, RS -- .203

L. Perez 6 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K, 2 pickoffs, 2 WP -- W, 2-5, 4.06 ERA
Cuevas 2 IP, ER, 2 H, K -- 6.56 ERA
Sirrett IP, ER, 3 H, BB, K -- SV, 4, 3.98 ERA

*** The Royals finally broke the Braves' hold on them to avoid losing an 11th straight to Danville and deal Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year SP Matt Crim his first loss of the season. Ben Tschepikow led off the Royals 2nd with his 1st pro triple and scored on a Geulin Beltre groundout to give the Royals the lead. Danville scratched out the tying run on 2 hits in the 5th but Burlington answered with 3 on a bases-loaded HBP of Jovan Pickett and 2-run Yowill Espinal single. Gary Cuevas allowed a run in the 7th but stranded 2 in the 8th. Onassis Sirrett loaded the bases with 0 out in the 9th but allowed only an RBI single before getting a DP to end it. Crim allowed 4 ER over 5 IP to fall to 10-1 with a 2.96 ERA. 2B Matt Weaver had 2 hits and 2 RBI (16) with his 4th SB to move to .326 and 1B Riann Spanjer-Furstenburg had 2 hits and his 51st RBI to move to .362.

The Royals are 22-40 and have won 3 in a row. The last home set, a 3-gamer with the Greeneville Astros (23-38), starts tonight with Keaton Hayenga (3-6, 3.95) facing 'Stros lefty Angel Gonzalez (3-4, 8.86). The Royals are 2-1 versus the Astros. OF Jovan Pickett has been called up to Idaho Falls.

Rookie - AZL: Dodgers 2, Royals 1 (1-hitter, completion of Aug. 21 game)

3B Figueroa 1-3 -- .264
SS Trapp 0-4, RBI (16), K, 2 E (14) -- .274
1B G. Baldwin 0-3, 2 K -- .256
DH L. Adams 0-3, K -- .219
RF Cooper 0-2, BB, K, RS, SB (7) -- .174

B. Wood 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Yambati 4 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, K, 2 WP -- L, 2-3, 9.99 ERA
J. Adams 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 K, WP -- 1.69 ERA

*** The Dodgers got 2 runs in the 7th to beat the punchless Royals. Chanse Cooper walked to leadoff the 3rd, stole second and advanced on a groundout before scoring on a Justin Trapp groundout to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Robinson Yambati stranded 2 in the 4th and the 1-0 lead held until the 7th. A triple scored the tying run to chase Yambati and Jack Adams gave up threw a run-scoring wild pitch to account for the Dodgers' 2nd run. The last 21 Royals went down in order as RP Beyker Fructuoso worked 3 perfect innings to win and move to 1-4 with a 6.18 ERA. Starter Bolivar Medina allowed an ER on a hit and walk with 8 Ks over 6 IP to lower his ERA to 2.13. IF Garett Green had 3 hits and LF Austin King had 2 hits and his 4th SB for the Dodgers.

Royals 6, Dodgers 5 (7/reg. Wed. game)

3B Figueroa 3-4, 2 RBI (28), RS -- .267
2B Piterson 3-3, BB, 2 RS, SB (11) -- .315
DH Trapp 2-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI (18), K, RS -- .258
LF Shortell 1-3, RBI -- .182
RF S. Cabrera 1-3, RBI (14) -- .202
1B G. Baldwin 0-3, RS -- .244

E. Diaz 5 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA -- W, 2-1, 7.20 ERA
Bavera 2 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- SV, 2, 0.44 ERA

*** A 5-run rally in the 5th got the Royals the win. Eric Diaz was nicked for 3 runs in the 1st on 3 hits and a walk and CF Melvin Ray hit his 2nd homer of the season for a solo shot in the 2nd to make it 4-0. The Royals got a 2-out RBI single from Yunior Figueroa in the 3rd before stranding 2. The Dodgers stranded 2 in the 4th but added a run to their lead in the 5th to make it 5-1. Justin Trapp hit a 2-run double to get the scoring started in the Royals 5th and Figueroa followed with an RBI single as Eric Shortell and Santos Cabrera added RBI singles to give the Royals the lead. Claudio Bavera followed with 2 solid innings of relief to pick up his 2nd save. Dodgers SP Bolivar Medina allowed 6 runs (5 ER) over 4 1/3 IP to fall to 3-2 with a 2.89 ERA. Ray was the only Dodger with 2 hits but RF Jonathan Garcia drove in 2 runs (21).

The 9-16 Royals play the 13-13 Padres tonight as it is the next-to-last game on the schedule.