Royals on the Farm 5/31 -- May wrapup

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 4, O-Royals 2

RF Gordon 1-3, HBP, RBI (23) -- .371
3B Maddox 1-3, SF, RBI (19) -- .248
1B Ka'aihue 0-3, BB, K -- .333
SS Falu 1-3, BB, RS -- .307
LF Lough 1-3, S -- .274

Mendoza 4 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 3-3, 3.25 ERA
Castaneda 3 IP, H, K -- 3.15 ERA
Holland 2 IP, 2 K -- 4.05 ERA

* The Royals saw their 8-game win streak vanish into memory on Memorial Day as Round Rock beat Luis Mendoza. Both teams stranded 2 in the 1st and Round Rock churned out 3 runs in the 2nd as Mendoza served up a 2-run homer in the rally. Alex Gordon hit an RBI single in the 3rd but the Express got the run back in the 4th. Marc Maddox hit a sac fly in the 4th to cut it to 4-2 but Omaha left 2 in scoring position in the 8th for their last, best chance. Starter Polin Trinidad allowed 2 ER over 8 IP to improve to 3-2. RF Andrew Locke and 2B Marcos Cabral had 2 hits each. Cabral hit the 2-run homer for his 1st of the season for the Express. Omaha is 27-22. A 4-game set at the New Orleans Zephyrs (22-26, AAA Marlins) starts Tuesday as Gaby Hernandez starts the opener. A quick glance at the team leaders through May (stats are after Sunday) : OPS -- (no shocker) Alex Gordon 1.221 (.372/.508/.713, 15 XBH, 22 RBI, 22 BB/24 K in 25 games/94 ABs, a run of play like that makes you figure he's gonna work out the kinks in the majors some day soon); Kila Ka'aihue 1.173 (.342/.507!/.667, 10 HR, 33 RBI, 38 BB/26 K in 34 G/114 ABs); Ed Lucas is at .928 in only 14 G; Jordan Parraz .769 (.259/.374/.395, 16 XBH, 21 BB/31 K in 46 G/162 ABs, had OPS over 1.000 in May after ungood April); moving down the line....David Lough .725 (.790 OPS in May, 16 XBH, 9 BB/27 K in 47 G/198 ABs)...Jai Miller .715...Irving Falu .709...no other active guys are above .601. WHIP -- Bryan Bullington 0.93 (1.60 ERA, 45 IP, HRA, 12 BB/31 K, hope he can put it together in the majors); Federico Castaneda 1.06 (2 HRA, 5 BB/11 K in 17 IP); Phil Humber 1.17 (3.82 ERA, 9 HRA, 10 BB/37 K in 10 starts/61 1/3 IP); Luis Mendoza 1.18 (2.28 ERA, 2 HRA, 3 BB/12 K in 6 games/23 2/3 IP); Greg Holland 1.22 (HRA, 9 BB/17 K in 24 2/3 IP)....Anthony Lerew is basically 6th at 1.27 (2.77 ERA, 15 BB/29 K in 55 1/3 IP), Gaby Hernandez is at 1.45 (6.59 ERA, 14 HRA, 20 BB/33 K in 54 2/3 IP, yeesh), Chris Hayes is at 1.64 in 11 IP.

AA - NW Arkansas: Midland 9, Naturals 1

RF Orlando 2-4, 2B (7), K -- .304, hot streak continues
3B Seratelli 1-4, RBI (10), K -- .203
CF D. Robinson 0-5, K -- .302
2B Giavotella 0-5, 3 K -- .279
1B C. Robinson 0-3, 2 BB -- .257
LF Smith 1-3, BB, K -- .309
NWA stranded 12, and Moustakas DNP'd again.

Crow 4 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- L, 2-5, 5.04 ERA, sigh
Swaggerty IP, ER, 3 H, K -- 5.40 ERA
B. Johnson 2 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 K -- 6.14 ERA
R. Hardy IP, H -- 6.10 ERA

* As much as I should like Aaron Crow -- Topeka guy, Royals top 2009 draft pick, one of the so-called best prospects in the organization -- I'm just indifferent for some reason. Maybe it's because I thought they should go SS, maybe because I don't trust the FO in drafting pitchers high. Either way, he's not convincing me otherwise. He got blistered Monday for his 5th loss of the season as Midland took the series. Four singles scored 3 Midland runs in the 3rd and the Nats stranded the bases full in the 4th before the RockHounds scored 4 to make it 7-0. Ben Swaggerty allowed a run in the 5th and Anthony Seratelli singled in the Nats' only run in the 6th before they left the bases full again. Midland made it 9-1 in the 6th. NWA stranded 2 more in the 9th. Midland SP Anthony Capra pitched 5 scoreless innings to move to 4-6. Five Midland batters had multiple hits as 3 hit 3, and 3 drove in 2 runs. The Naturals are 29-21. They have Tuesday off. NWA stat check -- OPS: Mike Moustakas 1.224 (.374/.459/.764, 32 RS, 24 XBH (split evenly between 2B/HR), 41 RBI, 17 BB/20 K, 6 E in 33 G/123 ABs, get well soon, you're almost the entire offense); Jeff Howell .927 (.333/.390/.537, 5 BB/14 K in 14 G/54 ABs); Tim Smith .874 (.309/.380/.495, 10 XBH, 11 BB/11 K in 28 G/97 ABs); Clint Robinson .797 (.257/.360/.437, 27 RS, 23 XBH (18 2B), 26 BB/35 K, 5 E in 48 G/183 ABs); Paulo Orlando .796 (.304/.348/.448, 12 XBH, 3 BB/19 K, 6/10 SB in 40 G/125 ABs, hit .400 with 1.057 OPS in May). Others...Derrick Robinson .784 (5 3B, 26/34 SB, .394 OBP in 48 G/182 ABs, .286 BA/.713 OPS in May), Manny Pina .753, Johnny Giavotella .708 (only .250/.632 OPS in May, still has .350 OBP overall), Nick Van Stratten .694 (.243/.662 in May, .354 OBP not bad). WHIP: Blaine Hardy 0.73 (0.69 ERA, 4 SV, 8 BB/16 K in 26 IP, hope he does well in AAA); Louis Coleman 0.92 (2.27 ERA, 3 SV, 3 HRA, 9 BB/28 K in 31 2/3 IP); Edgar Osuna 1.05 (1.71 ERA, 5 HRA, 8 BB/38 K in 58 IP, K rate not great but K/BB is great); Brandon Sisk 1.19 (1.67 ERA, 4 SV, 3 HRA, 10 BB/21 K in 27 IP); Mike Montgomery 1.22 (2.84 ERA, HRA, 9 BB/22 K in first 25 1/3 AA IP, looking good so far). Others.... Mario Santiago 1.29 (2.82 ERA, 2 HRA, 18 BB/30 K in 51 IP), Everett Teaford 1.34 (4.88 ERA, 5 HRA, 6 BB/32 K in 31 1/3 IP, has looked better than these #s), Eduardo Paulino 1.44 (3.98 ERA, 15 BB/29 K in 43 IP), Aaron Crow 1.55 (5.04 ERA, 8 HRA (worst on team), 28 BB/39 K in 64 1/3 IP, not much good to see there, 5.97 ERA, .298 OAV in May).

A - Adv. - Wilmington: Kinston 4, Blue Rocks 1

3B Romak 2-4, RBI (30), 2 K -- .240
LF Ortiz 2-4 -- .274
1B Hosmer 0-4 -- .349
C S. Perez 1-4, E (5) -- .289
RF Francis 0-3 -- .091
SS Navarro 1-3 -- .198

Caldera 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HRA -- L, 4-3, 3.12 ERA, run of good starts comes to abrupt halt
Baez 2 IP, H, BB -- 5.31 ERA
Lafferty IP, H, 2 K -- 4.30 ERA

* Alex Caldera had a mediocre start for a change and got no run support as Kinston took the series opener. Caldera gave up a solo homer in the 1st and 2 runs in the 2nd as the K-Tribe took an early lead. Caldera staggered through a scoreless 3rd and then gave up another solo homer in the 4th. Wilmington didn't get a runner past second until the 9th when Jamie Romak hit an RBI single to drive in Patrick Norris. The Rocks stranded 2. Kinston SP T.J. McFarland allowed an ER over 8 2/3 IP to improve to 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA. SS Karexon Sanchez had 3 hits while two other Tribe batters had 2 hits. The Rocks are 22-30. John Lamb starts Tuesday. Stat check for Wilmington -- OPS: Eric Hosmer .924 (.349/.416/.508, 22 XBH (16 2B), 30 RBI, 22 BB/18 K, 7/7 SB, 4 E in 50 G/189 ABs, hope late slump is just minor hiccup); Salvador Perez .775 (.289/.328/.446, 13 XBH, 7 BB/11 K, 5 E in 35 G/121 ABs, doing pretty well for second youngest player in Carolina League); Anthony Seratelli .772 (.277/.346/.426, 6 XBH, 4 BB/16 K in 13 G/47 ABs); Ben Theriot .688 (.265/.321/.367, 4 BB/11 K in 15 G/49 ABs, team is 2-12 when he starts); Eddie Prasch .683 (11 XBH, 13 BB/29 K in 28 G/93 ABs). Others...Adrian Ortiz .682 (only .319 OBP, 29 RS, 12 XBH, 13 BB/35 K, 17/26 SB in 48 G/190 ABs, underwhelming, tho not as bad as last year), Patrick Norris .609 (17 BB/41 K, 11/17 SB, only .289 OBP in 46 G/184 ABs), nobody else is above .600, Rey Navarro .476 (8 E in 26 games). WHIP: Patrick Keating 0.79 (0.96 ERA, 5 SV, 2 HRA, 7 BB/40 K in 28 IP, very nice); Caldera 1.16 (3.12 ERA, 5 HRA, 13 BB/59 K in 10 G/57 2/3 IP, could be next in AA rotation); Barry Bowden 1.25 (1.66 ERA, 4 SV, HRA, 9 BB/25 K in 21 2/3 IP); John Lamb 1.25 (1.50 ERA, 3 BB/12 K in first 2 Rocks starts/12 IP); Brendan Lafferty 1.30 (4.30 ERA, 2 HRA, 4 BB/12 K in 14 2/3 IP). Others... Chris Dwyer 1.44 (4.03 ERA, 3 HRA, 26 BB/48 K in 10 G/51 1/3 IP), Tim Melville 1.54 (6.85 ERA, 3 HRA, 21 BB/42 K in 10 starts/47 1/3 IP, at least K rate is fairly healthy), Ivor Hodgson 1.68.

A - Burlington: Quad Cities 7, Bees 5

2B Hall 2-4, BB, 2 RBI (19), 2 K, RS, CS (4) -- .238
LF Testa 2-4, RBI (18) -- .266
C Myers 1-4, 2 RBI (33), 2 K, RS, PB (12) -- .282
CF Richardson 1-4, 2B (6), RS, 2 SB (18) -- .195

Wooley 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 5.58 ERA
Odenbach 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, K -- BS, 1, L, 2-4, 4.78 ERA
Encarnacion 1 1/3 IP, K -- 4.60 ERA
Frost IP, K -- 0.00 ERA, second straight good outing for position player

* A Bees lead totally fell apart in the 7th as the Bandits came back for the win. Quad Cities got a solo homer in the 3rd to take the lead but the Bees answered with 4 runs on a Gerard Hall RBI single, 2-run Wil Myers single and Carlo Testa RBI single to take the lead. Hall hit another RBI single in the 4th to make it 5-1. Nick Wooley had pitched well but probably shouldn't have come out for the 7th as 3 runs were in with 1 out when he was pulled for Dusty Odenbach. A 2-run double and RBI single later, Odenbach was pulled for Rodolfo Encarnacion, who got out of the inning. The Bees didn't threaten again, although Hilton Richardson did get in scoring position a couple times. RP Scott Schneider pitched 5 hitless innings with 7 Ks to move to 4-1. SP Deryk Hooker allowed 5 runs (4 ER) over 4 IP. 3B Niko Vasquez and RF Ryde Rodriguez had 3 hits for QC. Vasquez hit his 7th HR with 2 RBI (31). The Bees are a lowly 17-34. A 3-game set at the West Michigan Whitecaps (20-31, A Tigers) starts Tuesday. Bees stat check thru May (almost) -- OPS: Wil Myers .862 (.283/.386/.476, 19 XBH, 31 RBI (now 33), 28 BB/34 K, 7/9 SB, 4 E, buncha passed balls in 46 G/166 ABs, but still, best prospect on team is leading in OPS, gotta like that); Carlo Testa .830 (.260/.356/.473, 18 XBH including 6 3B, 17 RBI, 23 BB/47 K in 43 G/150 ABs, not great but not bad in pitchers' league); Joey Lewis .741 (.247/.328/.414, 17 XBH, 24 RBI, 20 BB/56 K in 44 G/162 ABs); Adam Frost .722 (.263/.322/.400, 6 BB/18 K, 6/7 SB in 22 G/80 ABs); and Juan Graterol .693 (.310/.348/.345, 4 BB/6 K in 24 G/87 ABs). Others...Juan Bonilla .662 (only hitting .237 but has .357 OBP), Hilton Richardson .602 (rough), Fernando Cruz .557 (turning out to be another rough pick from rough '07 draft for Dayton, but still young). WHIP: Bryan Paukovits 0.99 (3.61 ERA, 3 HRA, 14 BB/48 K in 9 G/42 1/3 IP, gotta like the K rate and K/BB); John Lamb 1.08 (17 BB/43 K in 40 IP, deserving of call up); Brendan Lafferty 1.21 (3.12 ERA, HRA, 7 BB/19 K in 17 1/3 IP); Kelvin Herrera 1.28 (4.35 ERA, 2 HRA, 15 BB/40 K in 8 starts/41 1/3 IP, hope he can get past injury problems); and Rodolfo Encarnacion 1.33 (surprised me, 5.02 ERA, 9 BB/13 K in 14 1/3 IP). Others...Mitch Hodge 1.39 (14 BB/20 K in 23 2/3 IP, best stretch of his career I can remember)...Tyler Sample 1.52 (4.20 ERA, HRA, 38 BB/41 K in 10 starts/49 1/3 IP, yowza on the K/BB)...Matt Mitchell 1.58 (5.77 ERA, 8 HRA, 19 BB/34 K in 9 starts/43 2/3 IP, not awful on comeback trail, numbers were better in May)...Dusty Odenbach 1.62 (pre-Monday)...Mike Lehmann 1.91...Keaton Hayenga 2.47 in first 11 1/3 IP.

Royals on the Farm 5/30

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 10, Round Rock 2

1B Ka'aihue 3-5, 2B (7), HR (10), 2 RBI (33), 2 RS -- .342
2B Lucas 3-4, HR, RBI (8), 2 RS, E (2) -- .364
CF Miller 2-4, 2B (6), HR (5), 3 RBI (17), RS -- .229, .923 OPS over last 10 games
SS Falu 2-5, RS, E (11) -- .307
LF Lough 1-4, S, HR (4), 2 RBI (19), RS -- .273
DH Gordon 1-4, BB, HR (8), RBI (22), RS -- .372
3B Thorman 1-5, HR (8), RBI (24), 2 K, RS -- .242
RF Parraz 0-2, BB, HBP, RS, SB (5) -- .259

Humber 6 IP, ER, 6 H, HRA -- W, 4-3, 3.82 ERA
C. Hayes 2 IP, ER, H, HRA -- 4.09 ERA
Bullington IP, H -- 1.60 ERA

* It was home run derby for the Royals as they clubbed 6 homers en route to the runaway victory. Kila Ka'aihue got the party started with a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 10th of the season and Scotty Thorman made it back-to-back dingers with a solo shot for his 8th of the season. Omaha did the trick again in the 2nd as David Lough ripped a 2-run shot for his 4th of the season and Alex Gordon made it back-to-back with his 8th homer of the season to make it 6-0 Omaha. Phil Humber wasn't lockdown on the mound but was able to keep the Express in goose eggs for most of his outing. Jai Miller cranked a 3-run homer in the 5th for his 5th of the season and the blowout was cemented. Humber finally gave up a solo homer in the 6th and Chris Hayes did likewise in the 7th. Ed Lucas went yard in the 7th for his 1st homer of 2010 and 10-2 ended up being the final score. Express SP Josh Banks allowed 6 ER over 4 IP, including 4 of the HRs, to fall to 5-4. Three Round Rock batters had 2 hits. Omaha is 28-21 and on an 8-game tear. Luis Mendoza starts Monday's series finale.

AA - NWA: Midland 5, Naturals 3

RF Orlando 3-4, 3B (4), 2 RS -- .298
C Pina 3-5, E (6) -- .262
2B Giavotella 2-5, 2B (11), CS (3) -- .286
LF Smith 1-3, S, 2B (6), RBI (18), RS -- .309
3B Seratelli 1-3, BB, RBI (9), K -- .200
SS McConnell 1-3, BB, RBI (9), picked off -- .225
CF D. Robinson 1-5, K -- .311
1B C. Robinson 1-4, BB, 2 K -- .261
NWA stranded 11. No Moustakas again.

Osuna 6 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 9 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 5-2, 1.71 ERA
Chavez 2 IP, nothing -- 7.36 ERA

* Midland took it to Edgar Osuna and evened the series with the Naturals. NWA stranded 2 in the 1st but Chris McConnell hit an RBI single in the 2nd to make it 1-0. Midland tied it in the 3rd and began to take control in the 4th. The Hounds scored 2 in the 4th and got a solo homer in the 5th to make it 4-1. The Naturals tightened it up with 2 in the 6th on a Tim Smith RBI double and Anthony Seratelli RBI single before stranding 2. Midland got a run back in the 6th. NWA stranded 2 in the 9th as RP Jared Lansford picked up his 4th save. Starter Carlos Hernandez allowed an ER over 5 IP to pick up the win and move to 4-1. C Yusuf Carter was 3-3 and a homer shy of the cycle with 2 RBI and 2 others had 2 hits for Midland. The Naturals are 29-20. The series wraps Monday. RP Ben Swaggerty was activated from the DL and OF Nick Van Stratten was put on the DL with an undisclosed injury.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Myrtle Beach 5, Blue Rocks 4

C Theriot 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI (3), RS, 2 E (4) -- .265
LF Ortiz 2-5, RBI (10), K, CS (9) -- .269
DH Romak 1-3, HBP, RBI (29), RS -- .235
1B Hosmer 1-4, K -- .357
RF Francis 1-4, 2 K -- .125
SS Navarro 0-3, S, RS -- .193
CF Patrick Norris had an OF assist at second.

Hodgson 6 1/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 8 H, 2 K, WP -- 5.82 ERA
Baumann 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, 2.51 ERA
Bowden 2/3 IP, UER, H, BB, K -- L, 1-3, 1.66 ERA

* The Rocks blew a late 4-1 lead. Jamie Romak singled home a run in the 1st and MB tied it in the 3rd. Adrian Ortiz singled in a run in the 5th and Ben Theriot hit a 2-run triple in the 6th to make it 4-1. Ivor Hodgson came back out for the 7th after 6 solid innings and it cost Wilmington. Two runs were in when Buddy Baumann came in and allowed the tying run to score. Theriot made his 2nd error of the game on a throwing miscue in the 9th and the bases were loaded with 1 out when Barry Bowden gave up a walkoff single. RP Benino Pruneda threw 3 scoreless for the win as Pelicans SP Randall Delgado allowed 4 runs (3 ER) over 6 IP. Four Pelicans had multiple hits led by 3 hits and 2 RBI from 2B Travis Jones. The Rocks are 22-28. A 3-game set at the Kinston Indians (27-23) starts Monday. John Lamb starts for Wilmington.

A - Burlington: Quad Cities 14, Bees 5

CF Richardson 1-4, HR (4), 3 RBI (18), K, RS -- .193
C Bonilla 1-4, 2 RBI (6), RS, E, PB (3) -- .237
DH Myers 1-4 -- .283
LF Testa 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .260

Lehmann 3 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, K -- L, 1-4, 7.31 ERA
Hodge 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K, HRA, WP -- 3.80 ERA
Sirrett IP, 3 ER, H, 3 BB, K, WP -- 5.40 ERA
Dennick IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, K, HRA -- 7.53 ERA

* It was another bad day for Burlington as Quad Cities raked all 4 Bees hurlers. The Bandits scored 2 in the 2nd and their big inning was the 4th when they posted 6 runs off Mike Lehmann and Mitch Hodge. The Bees got back in the game with a 4-run 5th on a Jose Bonilla RBI single and 3-run Hilton Richardson homer for his 4th of the season. The Bees could do no more, though, as Quad Cities scored 2 in the 8th and 4 in the 9th. A Bonilla RBI forceout in the 9th made for a meaningless run. Bandits SP Daniel Calhoun allowed 4 ER over 5 IP but improved to 3-0. Four Bandits had multiple hits as RF Edgar Lara had 2 hits, his 6th homer, and 4 RBI (18). The Bees are 17-34. The series wraps Monday afternoon.

Royals on the Farm 5/29

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 9, Round Rock 0

RF Gordon 3-5, 2B (7), 2 RBI (21), 2 K, RS -- .389
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, 2 BB, HR (9), 3 RBI (31), 2 RS -- .330, it's time they get Kila and Gordon back to KC
SS Falu 2-5, RBI (13), 2 RS -- .304
2B Lucas 3-4, 2B (5), RBI (7), RS -- .325
3B Thorman 1-5, RBI (23) -- .243
DH Parraz 1-2, HBP, SF, RBI (24), K, RS -- .263
LF Lough 1-5, K, RS -- .273
CF Miller 1-4, 2B (5), K -- .219

Lerew 6 IP, 5 H, 5 K -- W, 4-2, 2.77 ERA
Herges 2 IP, 3 H, BB, K -- 4.72 ERA
Hayes IP, BB -- 4.00 ERA

* Anthony Lerew had a standout start and the O-Royals shut down the Express. Omaha stranded 2 in the 1st but slapped up a 5-spot in the 2nd on an Ed Lucas RBI single, Irving Falu RBI single, 2-run Alex Gordon single and run-scoring error to put Omaha in command. Scott Thorman singled home a run and Jordan Parraz hit a sac fly in the 4th to make it 7-0. Lerew stranded the bases full in the 6th as the Express had their best shot. Kila Ka'aihue creamed a 2-run homer in the 8th for his 9th homer of the season to finish the scoring. Former Royals farmhand Shane Loux took the loss with 5 ER over 1 1/3 IP. Two Express batters had 2 hits. Omaha is 26-21 and has trimmed the deficit to 1 1/2 games with a 7th straight win. RP Victor Marte got recalled to KC as Gil Meche hit the DL with his rubberband arm. Phil Humber starts Sunday's game 3.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 6, Midland 5

C Howell 3-5, RBI (12), K, RS, PB -- .347
RF Orlando 3-5, 2B (6), RS, SB (6) -- .282
1B C. Robinson 2-4, SF, 2 2B (18), RBI (29), K -- .261
3B Seratelli 2-3, 2 BB, RBI (8), RS, E (4) -- .194
SS McConnell 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (8), RS -- .222
2B Giavotella 1-4, BB, RBI (14), RS -- .283
DH Mejia 1-5, RBI (27), K -- .266
CF D. Robinson 0-5, 2 K, E (4) -- .314
NWA stranded 12, and no Moustakas again

Paulino 5 IP, 2 UER, 4 H, BB, 6 K -- 3.98 ERA
Teaford 2 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 5-2, 4.88 ERA
Coleman 2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- SV, 3, 2.27 ERA

* NWA turned it on late to break a losing skid. Midland plated 2 off Eduardo Paulino in the 3rd and the lead held into the 7th. 'Hounds SP Pedro Figueroa loaded the bases with 0 out to get pulled and Chris McConnell and Johnny Giavotella took walks to tie it. Clint Robinson hit a sac fly and Jeff Howell hit an RBI single to make it 4-2 Naturals. Midland scored a run in the 8th but the Naturals got 2 key insurance runs in the 9th on an Ernesto Mejia RBI single and bases-loaded Anthony Seratelli walk. Louis Coleman gave up a 2-run homer in the 9th and had runners on second and third when he induced the game-ending groundout. Figueroa took the loss with 3 ER over 6 IP to drop to 1-4. DH Alex Valdez was 3-5 with a triple, his 7th homer and 3 RBI (31) and LF Shane Peterson had 3 hits as well. 3B Jeff Baisley had 2 hits.

A - Adv. - Wilmington: Myrtle Beach 9, Blue Rocks 1

CF Norris 2-4, RS -- .226
2B F. Garcia 2-3, CS (3) -- .221
1B Hosmer 1-3 -- .359
C S. Perez 0-4, RBI (17), K -- .291
LF Ortiz 0-4, 4 K -- .265
RF Francis 0-4 -- .000, season debut, back from drug suspension
SS Navarro 0-3, K, 3 E (8) -- .200, showing off some sparkling defense

Dwyer 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 2-3, 4.03 ERA
Thompson 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 3 BB, K, balk -- 7.56 ERA
Basurto 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, 2 BB -- 5.87 ERA
Mozingo 1/3 IP, nothing -- 7.36 ERA

* Chris Dwyer and, more so, the Rocks got pummeled by the Pelicans. Dwyer gave up a run in the 1st and then a 2-run homer in the 4th and got a whopping 2 hits of support through 5. Dwyer got pulled with 1 on and 1 out in the 6th and James Thompson allowed 3 runs before getting out of the inning. Eric Basurto and Harold Mozingo gave up 3 runs in the 8th to finish MB's scoring. Salvador Perez hit an RBI groundout in the 9th to spoil the shutout. Starter J.J. Hoover got the win with 8 shutout IP. Three Pelicans had 2 hits as 2B Travis Jones drove in 3. The Rocks are 22-28. Lefty Starling De La Rosa got sent back to ST and Eddie Prasch was put on the DL to make room for Basurto and Nick Francis on the roster. Ivor Hodgson starts Sunday's series finale. Prasch broke a bone in his hand on his game winning AB Friday.

A - Burlington: Quad Cities 12, Bees 4

C Myers 2-3, 2B (12), RBI (31), RS, SB (7) -- .284, know he's not raking in the pitcher-friendly MWL, but think they need to Hosmerize him to Wilmington
DH Lewis 2-4, 2B (12), RBI (24), K -- .247
2B D. Batista 2-5, 2 K -- .212
RF Oriental 1-4, RBI (17), K, RS, SB (7) -- .219
LF Testa 1-4, 2B (8), K, RS -- .265
CF Richardson 0-4, RBI (15), K, OF assist at third -- .191

Hayenga 6 IP, 9 R (8 ER), 13 H, 2 BB -- L, 1-2, 10.32 ERA, doesn't quite seem ready for prime time
Kelley 2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, K -- 7.40 ERA
Frost IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

* The Bees also got blistered Saturday as Quad Cities ran away and hid with the victory. Both teams scored a run in the 1st as Joey Lewis hit an RBI double, but the Bandits rallied for 6 in the 2nd off Keaton Hayenga. Wil Myers doubled in a run in the 3rd and Rene Oriental hit an RBI single before Hilton Richardson hit an RBI forceout in the 4th to cut it to 7-4. That was as close as it got as the Bandits scored the game's last 5 runs. RP Justin Smith got the win with 2 runs (1 ER) allowed over 4 1/3 IP. Starter Shelby Miller also allowed 2 runs (1 ER) over 2 2/3 IP. Five Bandits had multiple hits led by a 4-5 night from CF D'Marcus Ingram, who ripped 2 doubles and drove in 3. The Bees are 17-32.

Royals on the Farm 5/28

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 6, Round Rock 5 (14)

1B Ka'aihue 2-5, 2 BB, 2B (6), 3 RBI (28), K, RS -- .330
3B Thorman 2-7, 2B (10), RBI (22), K, 2 RS -- .245
RF Gordon 2-5, HBP, S, 2B (6), HR (7), RBI (19), 2 K, 2 RS, SB (3), E (2) -- .376, makes it look so easy in the minors...
DH Parraz 2-4, 2 BB, HBP, K -- .259
CF Miller 2-7, 2B (4), GW RBI (14), 3 K -- .218
C Bellorin 2-5, 2B (3), 2 K, RS -- .227
LF Lough 1-6, BB, K, CS (2) -- .275
Omaha stranded 14.

Campillo 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 4 K, 2 HRA -- 3.18 ERA
Castaneda 2 IP, UER, 2 H, 3 K -- 3.71 ERA
B. Hardy 2 IP, H -- 0.00 ERA, keeps it rolling
Rupe 4 IP, 2 H, K, balk -- 0.00 ERA
Holland IP, K -- W, 1-2, 4.38 ERA

* A 3-run 7th keyed an Omaha comeback and the Royals finally finished it in 14. Round Rock got a leadoff homer off Jorge Campillo in the 1st but Omaha matched the run on a 2-out RBI double by Kila Ka'aihue in the bottom of the frame. The Express pulled away with 3 in the 2nd on a 3-run homer but Alex Gordon cut it to 4-2 with a solo homer (his 7th) to lead off the 3rd. Federico Castaneda saw 2 errors behind him help the Express plate a run in the 6th to make it 5-2 but Scott Thorman hit an RBI double in the 7th followed by a Ka'aihue 2-run single to tie the game. Omaha left the bases juiced in the 9th and the teams battled into the 14th. Ka'aihue factored in with a leadoff walk in the 14th and Jai Miller came through with a 2-out RBI double to end it in walkoff fashion. RP Roy Corcoran took the loss with an ER over 2 2/3 IP to fall to 1-8. Starter and former Royals farmhand Andy Van Hekken allowed 5 runs (2 ER) over 7 IP. CF Jason Bourgeois had 3 hits, including the leadoff homer in the 1st (his 5th). Three other Express batters had 2 hits, including DH Andrew Locke, who hit his 5th homer with 3 RBI (21). Omaha is 25-21 and leapfrogged into second place with the W. Anthony Lerew starts Saturday's game 2.

AA - NWA: Frisco 3, Naturals 1

DH Mejia 2-4, K -- .268
CF D. Robinson 1-3, BB, RBI (17), K -- .323
2B Giavotella 1-4, 2 K, picked off -- .284
1B C. Robinson 1-4, 2B (16) -- .256
Moustakas DNP

Santiago 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, pickoff -- L, 3-4, 2.82 ERA
Sisk 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- 1.67 ERA

* Frisco used a big 6th for the 3-game sweep. The main story of the game was who didn't play, as Mike Moustakas sustained what the team site called a "lower body injury" (what is this, the NHL?) on a foul pop play Thursday. On the field, the offense felt the effects of Moustakas' absence, as it's not really intended for Derrick Robinson to be your run producer with his bat, more with his baserunning. Both teams scattered baserunners until Robinson hit an RBI single in the 5th to make it 1-0 Naturals in support of Mario Santiago. Santiago hit the wall in the 6th as the RoughRiders got a leadoff triple and the first 4 batters reached to tie the score and load the bases with 0 outs. Brandon Sisk came in to try and put out the inferno but gave up a 2-run single before escaping the jam. Clint Robinson doubled and was stranded at third in the 8th and the Nats stranded 1 in the 9th. Starter Richard Bleier allowed an ER over 6 IP to win and move to 3-4. 1B Emerson Frostad had 2 hits and 2 RBI (7) to improve to .324. The Naturals are 28-18. Eduardo Paulino starts the first of 3 at the Midland RockHounds (22-25, AA A's) Saturday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Myrtle Beach 3

RF Romak 3-4, 2B (8), RBI (28), RS -- .233
CF Norris 2-3, BB, S, 2B (8), K, RS, CS (6), OF assist at second -- .220
SS Navarro 1-4, RBI (9) -- .207
C S. Perez 1-3, SF, RBI (16) -- .301, robbed of a homer, too
DH Prasch 1-3, RBI (12) -- .215
LF Ortiz 1-5 -- .271
1B Hosmer 0-5, 2 K -- .360

Melville 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 6 K, 2 WP -- 6.85 ERA, not bad
Keating 3 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 0.96 ERA

* The Blue Rocks got a comeback win to continue a stranglehold on the Pelicans. The Rocks stranded the bases full in the 2nd and Tim Melville struck out the side that inning. Myrtle Beach scored 2 in the 4th as Melville's good fortune ran thin. The Rocks struck back, tho, with 3 in the 6th as Jamie Romak doubled home a run, Salvador Perez hit a sac fly and Rey Navarro hit an RBI single to give Wilmington the lead. The Pelicans tied it off Melville in the 6th but Eddie Prasch hit the gamebreaking RBI single in the 8th. Patrick Keating closed it out for his 1st win of 2010. RP Yeliar Castro took the loss with an unearned run over 2 IP to drop to 2-2 after starter Brett Oberholtzer allowed 3 ER over 7 IP. LF Cole Miles and 3B Dan Nelson had 2 hits each for MB. The Rocks are 22-26. Chris Dwyer starts Saturday's game 2.

A - Burlington: Bees 7, Quad Cities 1

2B Hall 2-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI (17), K, RS, CS (3) -- .237
RF Oriental 2-2, BB, SF, RBI (16), RS -- .259
C Myers 2-4, BB, 2B (7), RBI (30) -- .277
LF Testa 2-4, 3B (6), 2 RS -- .266
CF Richardson 1-4, 2B (5), RBI (14), K, 2 RS, SB (16) -- .197
SS Alfaro 1-5, RBI, K -- .111
3B F. Cruz 1-4, RBI (10), RS, E (6) -- .246

Sample 6 IP, UER, H, 4 BB, 8 K, E -- W, 2-2, 4.20 ERA
Encarnacion 3 IP, H, 2 K -- SV, 1, 5.02 ERA

* Tyler Sample and Rodolfo Encarnacion combined on a 2-hitter as Burlington bounced back from a lackluster Clinton series. Quad Cities used its first hit of the game to score the Bandits' only run in the 2nd as Sample stranded the bases full. The Bees answered with 5 runs in the bottom of the inning on a run-scoring error, a Hilton Richardson RBI forceout, a 2-run Gerard Hall double and an RBI single from newest Bee J.D. Alfaro. Carlo Testa tripled and scored on a Rene Oriental sac fly in the 5th and Wil Myers singled home a run in the 6th to make it 7-1. Sample faced no further trouble and Encarnacion faced the minimum over his 3 IP. Bandits SP Jorge Rondon took the loss with 6 runs (2 ER) over 5 IP to drop to 2-3. The Bees are 18-31.

Royals on the Farm 5/27

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 3, Colorado Springs 2

3B Thorman 3-5, 2B (9), 2 RBI (21), 2 K -- .243
2B Maddox 2-4, RBI (18), RS -- .256
DH Lough 1-5, 3B (5) -- .279
LF Gordon 1-3, HBP, 2B (5), RS -- .375
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, BB, 2 K -- .327
RF Parraz 1-4, OF assist at first -- .253
CF Miller 0-3, BB, RS -- .214
Omaha stranded 10.

Hernandez 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA -- 6.59 ERA
Bullington 2 IP, 2 H -- 1.64 ERA
Marte IP, H, 2 K -- W, 3-1, 3.46 ERA

* Omaha fell behind but made a 9th inning comeback for the walkoff win and the 4-game sweep. Scott Thorman started a good game personally with an RBI single in the 1st but that was all the run support Gaby Hernandez would get. Hernandez only made 1 misstep in a good start as he gave up a 2-run homer that cost him a chance at a win. It was mostly offensive frustration for the Royals going into the 9th but Jai Miller took a 1-out walk, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Marc Maddox single to tie the game. Omaha loaded the bases with 2 out and Thorman stepped up for a walkoff single to end it. RP Juan Rincon took the loss with 2 ER over 1/3 IP for his 4th blown save. Sky Sox SP Alan Johnson allowed an ER over 6 IP. C Mike McKenry had 2 hits and 1B Brad Eldred clubbed his 10th homer with 2 RBI (34). Omaha is 24-21 and 2 games back but in last place in a tight divisional race. A 4-game set with the Round Rock Express (, AAA Astros) starts Friday as Jorge Campillo makes the start.

AA - NW Arkansas: Frisco 8, Naturals 5

C Pina 1-4, HR (4), 2 RBI (20), K, RS -- .257
DH Mejia 1-4, HR (7), RBI (26), 2 K, RS -- .262
CF D. Robinson 1-2, BB, SF, 2B (6), RBI (16), CS (9), RS -- .323
3B Seratelli 1-3, RBI (7), K, RS -- .183
3B Moustakas 0-1, K -- .374, left in 3rd
2B Giavotella 0-4, K -- .285

Montgomery 3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 K, HRA -- 2.84 ERA, 52 pitches
B. Johnson 3 IP, ER, 5 H -- 6.75 ERA
R. Hardy 1 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, BB -- BS, 2, L, 0-1, 6.41 ERA
Chavez 2/3 IP, H -- 9.00 ERA

* The Naturals had the upperhand but lost it in the 8th for good as Frisco took another game in the set. Mike Montgomery faced some adversity as Frisco scored 2 runs in the 1st including a solo homer. Derrick Robinson hit a sac fly in the 3rd but Montgomery gave the run back on 2 hits and a sac fly. Ernesto Mejia led off the 5th with his 7th homer of the season and the Nats rallied for 3 in the 6th on an Anthony Seratelli RBI single and 2-run Manny Pina homer for his 4th of the season. Blake Johnson allowed a run in the 6th and Rowdy Hardy coughed up the tying run in the 7th. Things fell apart in the 8th as the RoughRiders scored 3 runs off Hardy and Chris Chavez. RP Ben Snyder got the win with 1 1/3 scoreless IP. SP Tanner Roark allowed 5 ER over 5 2/3 IP. Three 'Riders had 3 hits and 2 others had 2 hits. I haven't seen any news on why Montgomery and Moustakas were pulled early.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: off day

* A 3-game set at the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (14-32, A-Adv. Braves) starts Friday. Tim Melville starts the opener for the Rocks.

A - Burlington: Clinton 6, Bees 5 (7/G1)

CF Richardson 3-3, 3B (3), 2 RBI (13), CS (2) -- .200
1B Lewis 1-3, HR (5), RBI (23), RS, E (6) -- .252
RF Oriental 1-3, RBI (15), E (3) -- .253
3B F. Cruz 1-3, 2B (4), RBI (9), RS -- .246
C Myers 1-3, RS -- .271
LF Testa 1-2, BB, 2B (7), RS -- .259

Paukovits 4 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 3.61 ERA
Dennick 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 K, 2 WP -- L, 0-1, 6.75 ERA

* The Bees blew a 4-0 lead as Clinton kept Burlington's losing ways going at 6 games in a row. Fernando Cruz hit a 2-out RBI double and Hilton Richardson hit a 2-run triple to make it 3-0 Bees in the 2nd. Rene Oriental hit an RBI single in the 3rd and it was 4-0 Bees. Clinton got a solo homer off Bryan Paukovits in the 3rd and then another in the 4th to cut it to 4-2. Joey Lewis hit a solo homer in the 5th for his 5th of the season to make it 5-2. A run was in and 1 was on when Paukovits got pulled for Ryan Dennick in the 5th. Dennick gave up an RBI double to the first batter he faced before escaping the inning with a 5-4 lead. Clinton rapped 4 singles in a 2-run 6th and Burlington went down without much fight in the 7th. Starter Taylor Lewis got the win for Clinton despite allowing 5 ER over 6 IP. CF Dan Carroll was 3-4 for the 'Kings and 2 others had 2 hits.

Bees 2, Clinton 1 (7/G2)

3B R. Wood 2-2, S -- .208
LF Frost 1-3, 2 RBI (11) -- .263
C Bonilla 1-2, BB, RS -- .235
CF Richardson 0-3, K -- .195

Odenbach 5 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 2-3, 3.81 ERA
Sirrett 1 2/3 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- SV, 1, 1.59 ERA

* The Bees finally solved the Clinton riddle to take 1 game in the series. The Bees got an RBI groundout from Adam Frost in the 2nd and a Frost RBI single in the 4th made it 2-0. Clinton loaded the bases with no outs in the 6th and a Dusty Odenbach throwing error scored Clinton's only run. Odenbach and Onassis Sirrett wriggled out of the jam to keep the 1-run lead. Sirrett picked up his 1st save with a scoreless 7th. Clinton SP Jonathan Hesketh allowed 2 ER over 5 IP to drop to 2-4. Four LumberKings had a hit each. The Bees are 16-31. A 4-game home set with the Quad Cities River Bandits (28-19, A Cards) starts Friday.

Royals on the Farm 5/26

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 8, Colorado Springs 1

CF Lough 4-5, 3B (4), HR (3), RBI (17), K, 2 RS -- .281, double short of cycle
RF Parraz 3-4, RBI (23), K, 2 RS -- .253
LF Gordon 2-4, BB, RBI (18), RS, E -- .377
3B Thorman 1-4, HR (7), 3 RBI (19), K, RS -- .230
2B Mertins 1-4, HR, 2 RBI (7), K, RS -- .244
1B Ka'aihue 0-2, 2 BB, K, RS -- .327
SS Falu 1-5 -- .303

Mendoza 6 IP, 7 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 3-2, 2.28 ERA, too bad his knack for avoiding runs in AAA doesn't translate to the majors
Herges IP, H -- 5.11 ERA
Holland IP, BB, K -- 4.56 ERA
Rupe IP, UER, H -- 0.00 ERA

* Omaha poured on the O early and got solid pitching all around to set up a chance at a sweep Thursday. Luis Mendoza stranded 2 in the 1st and the Royals jumped on Sky Sox SP Chaz Roe for 5 runs on a David Lough solo homer for his 3rd of the season, a Jordan Parraz RBI single and 3-run Scott Thorman dinger for his 7th of the season. Lough tripled and scored on an Alex Gordon single in the 2nd and Kurt Mertins cranked a 2-run homer in the 3rd for his 1st at AAA to make it 8-0. Mendoza scattered 7 hits and the Sky Sox got a junk run in the 9th off Josh Rupe. Roe dropped to 1-7 with 8 ER allowed over 3 IP. C Paul Lo Duca had 2 hits for the Sox. Omaha is 24-21. Gaby Hernandez starts the series finale Thursday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Frisco 2, Naturals 1

CF D. Robinson 2-4, 2 K, RBI (15) -- .321
2B Giavotella 1-4, 2B (10), K -- .292
3B Moustakas 0-4, K -- .377
1B C. Robinson 0-4, K -- .262
RF Van Stratten 0-3 -- .262

Crow 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 5 K, HRA, WP -- L, 2-4, 4.33 ERA, ungood WHIP, but kept some runs off board
Coleman 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- 1.82 ERA

* The matchup of the two best teams in the TL played out that way as Frisco pulled out a 2-1 win. Aaron Crow gave up a solo homer in the 2nd and Chris McConnell was gunned down at the plate to end the NWA 3rd. Frisco added a run in the 6th before Crow stranded the bases full. Derrick Robinson hit a 2-out RBI single in the 8th but was left at second and the Nats went down, 1-2-3, in the 9th. RoughRiders SP Blake Beavan allowed 4 hits with 5 Ks over 7 scoreless IP to improve to 7-2. C Taylor Teagarden and 3B Andy Jenkins had 2 hits each for Frisco. NWA is 28-17. P Blake Johnson was demoted from Omaha after struggling in his first taste of AAA. Mike Moustakas has inspired a Greek-themed hamburger at a Fayetteville restaurant, so you know he's a sensation down there.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Frederick 4, Blue Rocks 1

1B Romak 3-3, BB, 2B (7), SB (3) -- .220
C S. Perez 1-3, 2B (10), RBI (15) -- .300
RF Ortiz 0-4 -- .273
SS Navarro 0-2, BB, E (5) -- .205

Lamb 6 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 8 H, BB, 3 K, pickoff -- L, 1-1, 1.50 ERA, D and offense did him little good
Lafferty IP, H -- 4.61 ERA
Baumann IP, ER, 3 H, K, pickoff -- 2.63 ERA
Bowden IP, H, K -- 1.71 ERA

* John Lamb stumbled a bit in his 2nd Carolina League start and got only 5 hits and a run of support with errors behind him leading to 2 unearned runs. After a strike-em-out, throw-em-out double play in the 1st, a Juan Rivera error helped the Keys take a 1-0 lead. Another error in the 4th by Rey Navarro was followed by a 2-run triple as the Keys made it 3-0. Salvador Perez hit a 2-out RBI double in the 4th to trim into the lead and Lamb held the line through the 6th. Buddy Baumann allowed an insurance run in the 8th but could have gotten in more trouble. Wilmington stranded 1 in the 9th. Keys starter Richard Zagone went the distance with an ER over 9 IP to improve to 2-5. Four Keys had multiple hits led by a 3-hit game from CF Xavier Avery. 3B Buck Britton had 2 hits and 2 RBI (22). The Rocks are 21-27. They have Thursday off to hit the road.

A - Burlington: Clinton 6, Bees 1 (7/G1)

C Bonilla 2-3, 3B, RBI (4), picked off -- .224
2B D. Batista 2-2, BB -- .211
DH Myers 0-2, BB, K -- .268
CF Testa 0-3 -- .261

Mitchell 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 5 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- L, 1-5, 5.77 ERA, another bump in road to recovery
Kelley 1 2/3 IP, 2 BB, K -- 6.75 ERA

* Clinton laid it on Matt Mitchell as the LumberKings rolled to the win in the first of 2 Wednesday. The 'Kings scored 2 in the 1st and got a solo homer in the 2nd to make it 3-0. The Bees stranded 2 in the 4th and Clinton added a run that inning. Mitchell allowed 2 more runs before Scott Kelley stranded 2 in the 5th. Jose Bonilla hit an RBI triple for the Bees in the 7th but that was it. Starter James Gillheeney worked 6 2/3 IP of an ER to move to 3-3. 1B Vinny Catricala and 3B Mario Martinez had 2 hits and Catricala drove in 2.

Clinton 7, Bees 1 (7/G2)

CF H. Richardson 1-3, RBI (11), 2 SB (15) -- .181
C Myers 1-3, K, SB (6) -- .270
LF Testa 0-3, 2 K -- .255

Wooley 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 5 BB, 7 K, WP -- L, 2-3, 5.56 ERA
Hodge 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 3.54 ERA

* The 'Kings picked up where they left off in game 1 to rout the Bees again. Clinton rallied for 2 runs with 2 out in the 1st and then added another run in the 2nd off Nick Wooley. The Kings added 2 in the 4th to make it 5-0. Hilton Richardson singled home a run in the 5th but the Bees left the bases full. Wooley threw a run-scoring wild pitch before getting pulled down, 6-0, in the 5th. Mitch Hodge allowed a run in the 6th and the Bees didn't threaten again. P Brian Moran allowed an ER over 2 2/3 IP of relief for the win. SP Tyler Blandford threw 2 hitless innings before getting pulled. Three LumberKings had 2 hits. The Bees are 15-30.

Royals on the Farm 5/25

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 2, Colorado Springs 1

RF Miller 2-3, RBI (13) -- .219
LF Gordon 2-4, 2 K, picked off -- .370
3B Maddox 1-2, SF, RBI (17) -- .250
SS Falu 0-4, E (10) -- .306, slumping all of a sudden
CF Lough 1-4, CS -- .266
1B Ka'aihue 1-2, BB, K, RS -- .333
DH Parraz 1-3, RS -- .240

Humber 8 IP, ER, 6 H, 3 K -- W, 3-3, 4.07 ERA
B. Hardy IP, K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA, nice AAA debut

* Phil Humber and newcomer Blaine Hardy combined to hold the Sky Sox in check as Omaha earned at least a split of the series. Humber stranded 2 in the 1st and Jai Miller hit a 1-out RBI single before Marc Maddox hit a sac fly to make it 2-0. Omaha stranded 2 in the 3rd and the lead held into the 7th. Former Royal Travis Metcalf doubled to lead off the Sky Sox 8th and scored to cut the lead in half, but Blaine Hardy pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 1st AAA appearance and save. Starter Brandon Durden allowed 2 ER over 6 IP to fall to 0-3. Metcalf and LF Jay Payton had 2 hits for Colorado Springs. Omaha is 22-21. Luis Mendoza starts game 3 for Omaha Wednesday. Pitcher Bryan Bullington is headed back to AAA as IF Wilson Betemit got called up to the bigs.

AA - NWA: off day

* The Naturals are 28-15. As shown, lefty Blaine Hardy got a deserved promotion to Omaha and Kelvin Villa got his walking papers from the organization. A 3-game set at the Frisco RoughRiders (25-19, AA Rangers) starts Wednesday as Aaron Crow takes the hill for NW Arkansas.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Frederick 5, Blue Rocks 3

C Theriot 2-3, 2B (3) -- .244
RF Romak 1-4, 2B (6), 2 RBI (27), K -- .206
1B Hosmer 0-4, K, RS -- .370
CF Ortiz 1-4, 3B (5), RS, picked off -- .280
SS Navarro 1-4, RS -- .211

Hodgson 5 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, balk -- L, 2-4, 6.08 ERA
Baez 4 IP, 2 ER, H, 4 BB, 2 K, HRA -- 5.59 ERA

* The Rocks struck first but Frederick struck worse to take the game from Wilmington. Jamie Romak hit a 2-run double in the 1st but the Keys ripped 3 doubles in a 3-run 3rd. The Rocks left 2 in scoring position in the 5th and Manauris Baez served up a 2-run homer in the 6th to make it 5-2. Adrian Ortiz tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the 8th but he was the last Rock to reach base. Starter Oliver Drake allowed 2 runs (1 ER) over 7 IP to pick up his 1st win for the Keys. 1B Jacob Julius was 3-3 with a walk, 2 doubles (9), his 3rd homer and 2 RBI (17) and LF Kyle Hudson drove in 2 runs for the Keys. The Rocks are 21-25. John Lamb makes his 2nd High-A start in tomorrow's matinee finale.

A - Burlington: rainout

* The Bees and Clinton will play back to back double dips on Wednesday and Thursday after Tuesday's series opener was a washout.

Royals on the Farm 5/24

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 4, Colorado Springs 1

LF Gordon 3-4, RBI (17), K, RS, OF assist at first -- .362, his first assist, after a short hiatus, back to hitting
SS Falu 2-3, S, RS -- .313
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, BB, HR (8), 2 RBI (25), RS -- .330
RF Parraz 1-3, BB, RBI (22), K, OF assist at home -- .238
DH Lough 1-4, SB (5) -- .266
CF Miller 0-3, BB, K -- .204

Lerew 7 IP, ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- W, 3-2, 3.10 ERA
Marte 2 IP, H, 4 K -- SV, 2, 3.60 ERA

* A 3-run 3rd keyed the O-Royals' series-opening win over the Sky Sox. RF Jordan Parraz gunned down a runner at the plate to end the Colorado Springs 1st but the Sky Sox tallied a run in the 3rd to take the lead. Alex Gordon hit a 2-out RBI single in the 3rd to tie it and, guess who, Kila Ka'aihue, stepped up to slam a 2-run homer for his 8th of the season to give Omaha a lead it wouldn't relinquish. The Royals stranded 2 in the 5th but Anthony Lerew kept the lead intact over 7 not great but decent innings pitched. Parraz took a bases-loaded walk in the 7th but Omaha stranded 3. Victor Marte cleaned up shot over the last 2 innings for his 2nd save. Sky Sox SP Kurt Birkins allowed 3 ER over 6 IP to drop to 1-3. Three Sox had 2 hits. Omaha is 21-21. Phil Humber starts Tuesday's game 2. Omaha activated RP Chris Hayes from the DL and put Ed Lucas on it.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 7, Arkansas 3

CF D. Robinson 2-3, HBP, 2 RBI (14), RS, CS (7) -- .316
LF Orlando 1-3, HBP, 3B (3), 2 RBI (18), RS -- .279
3B Moustakas 1-4, RBI (41), E (6) -- .390, no homers but another ribby
2B Giavotella 1-4, RBI (13), K -- .293
DH Mejia 1-4, RBI (25), K, RS -- .261
1B C. Robinson 0-3, BB, K -- .269
RF Van Stratten 1-3, HBP, RS -- .268

Osuna 8 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 6 H, BB, 5 K, WP -- W, 5-1, 1.21 ERA
Teaford IP, K -- 4.91 ERA

* A 4-run 7th helped the Naturals stay ahead of the Travs to take 3 of 4 in the series. NWA rallied for 3 in the 2nd on an Ernesto Mejia RBI single and 2-run Paulo Orlando triple. Orlando got thrown out trying to score and Chris McConnell got picked off to help stymie any further offense in the inning. Arkansas struck back with 2 in the 3rd off Edgar Osuna but left 2 on. The score stayed 3-2 into the 7th when the Naturals got some needed breathing room on a 2-run, 2-out Derrick Robinson single and RBI singles by Johnny Giavotella and Mike Moustakas to make it 7-2. The runs came in handy as the Travs scored another run off Osuna in the 8th. Everett Teaford pitched a perfect 9th to finish it. Arkansas SP Manuel Flores allowed 5 runs (3 ER) over 6 1/3 IP to take the loss. Six Travs had a hit each. The Naturals are 28-15. Moustakas was rightfully named the TL Player of the Week for April 17-23. He hit 13-26 with 5 HR and 14 RBI over the week. The Naturals have Tuesday off.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Frederick 1

1B Hosmer 2-4, RS -- .379
DH Romak 1-3, BB, HR (4), 2 RBI (25), RS -- .205
C S. Perez 1-1, 2 BB, RBI (14) -- .299
RF Ortiz 0-4, K -- .280
3B Taylor 0-3, BB -- .214, back from DL
SS Navarro 0-3 -- .208

Caldera 6 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 4-2, 2.73 ERA, another good one
Mozingo 2 IP, H, 3 K -- 7.59 ERA
Keating IP, H, K -- SV, 5, 1.08 ERA

* The Rocks scored all 3 of their runs in one rally to ride Alex Caldera's arm to another victory. Caldera allowed a run on 3 hits before stranding 2 in the 1st but only allowed a hit and 2 walks over the next 5 innings. Jamie Romak cracked a 2-run homer in the 4th for his 4th of the season and Salvador Perez hit a 2-out RBI single to make it 3-1 Wilmington. Caldera was pulled after putting the first 2 on in the 7th and Harold Mozingo stranded 2. Patrick Keating pitched a solid 9th for his 5th save. Keys SP Nathan Nery took the loss with 3 ER over 6 IP to drop to 3-4. 2B Miguel Abreu had 2 hits for the Keys. The Rocks are 21-24. With Jason Taylor back off the DL, J.D. Alfaro was demoted to Burlington. Ivor Hodgson starts game 2 for the Rocks.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 4, Bees 2

LF Testa 2-4, 3B (5), HR (4), 2 RBI (17), RS, OF assist at second -- .267
3B F. Cruz 2-3, HBP, SB -- .248
C Myers 2-4, K, RS -- .272
CF Richardson 0-4, K -- .177
DH Bonilla 1-4, 2B (2), K -- .196

Sample IP, BB, K -- 4.78 ERA, took line drive off ankle, left after 1st
Lehmann 4 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 3 HRA -- L, 1-3, 6.20 ERA
Encarnacion 3 IP, BB, 4 K -- 6.35 ERA

* The Bees took an early lead but let it slip away as Wisconsin took 3 of 4 to switch places with Burlington in the MWL West cellar. Carlo Testa hit a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 4th of the season but that was all the runs the Bees would post. Tyler Sample took a liner off his ankle on the Rattlers' first batter and finished the 1st but stayed in the clubhouse for the 2nd. Mike Lehmann made the emergency appearance and gave up a leadoff homer in the 2nd and another homer in the 3rd to tie it at 2. Wisconsin got another solo homer as part of a 2-run 5th to make it 4-2. The Bees got the first 2 in scoring position in the 7th but 2 strikeouts and a popout short-circuited the rally. Testa tripled with 2 out in the 8th but also was left there. Starter Damon Krestalude got the win for Wisconsin with 2 ER over 6 IP. DH Khristopher Davis and C Cameron Garfield had 2 hits for the T-Rats. Both had a homer and RBI. The Bees are 15-28. A 3-game set at the Clinton LumberKings (23-20, A Mariners) starts Tuesday. Matt Mitchell starts for Burlington.

Royals on the Farm 5/23 -- Moustakas keeps HRs rolling

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 2, Salt Lake 1

3B Mertins 1-3, RBI (5), 2 K -- .257
DH Thorman 0-3, RBI (16) -- .229
1B Ka'aihue 0-2, BB, K, RS -- .330
LF Gordon 0-2, BB, 2 K, RS -- .338
CF Lough 1-4, 2B (7), K -- .267
SS Falu 0-4, K -- .307
RF Parraz 0-1, BB, S -- .236

Campillo 3 IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Castaneda 5 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K, HRA, pickoff -- W, 2-0, 4.20 ERA
Holland IP, BB, K -- SV, 2, 4.76 ERA

* Omaha earned a split of the series with a narrow win Sunday. Only 1 of the first 28 batters in the game reached base and only 2 (both Royals) had reached when Salt Lake got a leadoff homer in the 6th to break up a perfect game off Federico Castaneda. Scott Thorman tied it with an RBI groundout in the 7th and Kurt Mertins greeted RP Francisco "Not KRod" Rodriguez with a go-ahead RBI single, although Jordan Parraz was gunned down at the plate on the play. Greg Holland stranded 1 in the 9th for his 2nd save. Bees SP Will Smith took the loss with 2 ER over 6 1/3 IP. The Bees only had 2 hits. Omaha is 20-21. The 15 hits off Gaby Hernandez Saturday were the most off a Royals pitcher since 1998. A 4-game home set with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (20-22, AAA Rockies) starts Monday as Anthony Lerew toes the rubber for the Royals.

AA - NWA: Arkansas 11, Naturals 10

1B C. Robinson 2-5, BB, 2 2B (15), 3 RBI (28), K, RS -- .274
CF D. Robinson 2-3, 3 BB, RBI (12), RS, SB (25) -- .310
C Pina 2-5, K, E (5), PB (2) -- .260
LF T. Smith 2-5, RS -- .316
3B Moustakas 1-4, 2 BB, HR (12), 2 RBI (40), 2 RS -- .395, has zipped to 40 RBI
2B Giavotella 1-5, BB, 3B (2), RBI (12), 2 RS, SB (8) -- .294
RF Van Stratten 0-3, 3 BB, RBI (18) -- .267
DH Mejia 1-3, BB, RBI (24), K -- .261
NWA stranded 13.

Paulino 4 IP, 6 R (3 ER), 8 H, BB, 3 K, 2 HRA -- L, 4-2, 4.50 ERA
Sisk 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K, HRA, E (2) -- 1.88 ERA
Chavez 2/3 IP, 4 ER, H, 3 BB, HRA, WP -- 9.72 ERA
Villa 1 1/3 IP, H -- 7.80 ERA

* The Naturals made a valiant comeback effort in the 9th but came up 1 run short to see their winning streak snapped. Eduardo Paulino stranded 2 in the 1st and NWA tallied 2 on a Johnny Giavotella RBI triple and Clint Robinson RBI groundout. The Travs scored a run in the 2nd and 3 in the 3rd but the Naturals kept pace with a 3-run 3rd on a Mike Moustakas 2-run homer for his 12th of the season and an Ernesto Mejia RBI single. Paulino was pulled after giving up back-to-back jacks to start the 5th and Brandon Sisk served up a third straight homer before righting the ship with the Naturals down, 7-5. Nick Van Stratten took a bases-loaded walk in the 6th to trim the lead to 1 but Chris Chavez took over in the 8th and got roughed up. The Travelers ended up with 4 runs in the frame as 2B Ryan Mount slammed a 2-out, 3-run homer for his 2nd of the game and 5th of the season. The Naturals entered the 9th down, 11-6, but loaded the bases with none out. Derrick Robinson took a bases loaded walk and Johnny Giavotella plated a run with a double play ball that also crippled the Rocks' rally chances. Moustakas walked and Clint Robinson stepped up for a 2-run double that cut the lead to 1 and put the tying run in scoring position. Jordan Walden came in for Arkansas and got Van Stratten to fly out to end it, however. RP Barret Browning got the win with an ER allowed over 1 1/3 IP. Starter Jeremy Thorne allowed 5 ER over 4 2/3 IP. Mount led 4 Travs with multiple hits with his 2 HR and 4 RBI (20) but DH Paul McAnulty was 3-3 with 2 walks, a double, his 12th homer and 3 RBI (25). The Naturals are 27-15. The series ends Monday night.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 6, Myrtle Beach 3

1B Romak 2-5, 2 RBI (23) -- .203
CF Norris 2-3, 2 BB, RS, SB (11), CS (4), E (3) -- .216
RF Ortiz 1-5, 2 RBI (9), K, RS, SB (17) -- .287
DH Hosmer 1-5, RBI (30) -- .376
SS Navarro 1-3, BB, RS, E (4) -- .217
C Theriot 1-2, 2 BB, RS -- .214
The Rocks stranded 11.

Dwyer 6 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, 7 K -- 3.72 ERA, nice outing
Thompson 2 1/3 IP, 3 K -- W, 2-3, 7.20 ERA, has picked it up lately

* The Rocks came back to get the win and sweep the Pelicans. Chris Dwyer hit a batter and 2 stolen bases helped lead to Myrtle Beach's 1st run of the game. Juan Rivera scored on an error in the 3rd to tie it but the Rocks stranded 2 in the 4th. The Pelicans took the lead off Dwyer in the 6th and scored again in the 7th to make it 3-1. There were 2 out and the bases loaded with Rocks in the 8th when Adrian Ortiz hit a clutch 2-run single to tie it, Patrick Norris walked, Eric Hosmer came through with the go-ahead RBI single and Jamie Romak poured it on with another 2-run single to make it 6-3 Wilmington. James Thompson struck out 2 in the 9th en route to nailing down the win. RP Tyrelle Harris allowed 3 ER over 2/3 IP to take the loss. Starter J.J. Hoover allowed an unearned run over 6 IP. 3B Samuel Sime had 2 hits for the Pelicans. LF Cole Miles had 3 SB (13). The Rocks are 20-24. A 3-game home set with the division-leading Frederick Keys (26-17, A-Adv. O's) starts Monday as Alex Caldera tries to make it 3 great starts in a row.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 11, Bees 2

3B F. Cruz 3-4, 2B (3) -- .236
C Myers 1-4, 2B (10), RBI (29) -- .266
CF Richardson 1-3, 2B (4), RBI (10), E (2) -- .183

Hayenga 4 1/3 IP, 7 R (5 ER), 9 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 WP -- L, 1-1, 8.44 ERA
Sirrett 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 2.25 ERA
Dennick IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, WP -- 6.17 ERA

* Keaton Hayenga's first 2010 start was unsuccessful as Wisconsin toppled the Bees again. Wil Myers ripped an RBI double in the 1st but Hayenga allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and Gerard Hall's 10th error of the season at short. Hilton Richardson tied it with a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd but the Rattlers answered with 3 runs in the inning on 4 hits, 2 wild pitches and a Hilton Richardson error. Hayenga gave up a 2-run single in the 5th before getting pulled from the game with Wisconsin up, 7-2. Onassis Sirrett allowed a run before stranding the bases full in the 6th and Ryan Dennick allowed 3 runs in the 8th. SP Nick Bucci got the win for the Timber Rattlers with 2 ER over 7 IP to move to 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA. Six Rattlers had multiple hits led by a 4-5 day from DH Khristopher Davis, who had 2 RBI (20). The Bees are 15-27. The series wraps with a Monday matinee.

Royals on the Farm 5/22

AAA - Omaha: Salt Lake 14, O-Royals 3

LF Gordon 2-4, 3B, HR (6), RBI (16), 2 RS -- .349, broke out of mini-slump
1B Ka'aihue 2-4, 2B (5), RBI (23), K -- .337, hope he keeps putting pressure on front office
CF Lough 1-4, 3B (3), RBI (16), 2 K -- .267
2B Falu 0-4 -- .314
RF Parraz 0-4, K, E (5), OF assist at third -- .237

Hernandez 4 2/3 IP, 11 R (10 ER), 15 H, 4 K, 3 HRA -- L, 3-4, 7.03 ERA, OUCH
Herges 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- 5.32 ERA
Rupe IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

* Gaby Hernandez got rocked like Woodstock and Salt Lake left Omaha in the dust. The 1st started with a homer by CF Terry Evans and the Bees finished the inning with 5 runs on 8 hits (the rest were singles). Alex Gordon hit his 6th homer in the bottom of the 1st but Evans hit his 2nd homer of the game in the 4th to get the run back. Gordon tripled and scored in the bottom of the 4th but, this time, Salt Lake slapped up 5 more runs in the 5th to chase Hernandez. David Lough tripled home a run in the 5th but the damage was done. The Bees poured on 3 late runs. Bees SP Sean O'Sullivan allowed 3 ER over 7 IP to even his record at 4-4. Five Salt Lake batters had multiple hits with 4 having 3. Evans and RF Nick Gorneault had 2 HR each with Gorneault driving in 5 runs. DH Mark Trumbo drove in 4 runs (37). Omaha is 19-21. Jorge Campillo starts the finale for Omaha Sunday.

AA - NWA: Naturals 19, Arkansas 4

1B C. Robinson 5-6, 3 2B (13), HR (5), 7 RBI (25), RS -- .270
LF T. Smith 4-4, BB, 2 HR (4), 6 RBI (17), 4 RS -- .311
C Howell 3-6, 2B (5), 2 RS -- .326
DH Mejia 3-5, BB, 2B (7), 3 RS -- .260
SS McConnell 2-4, BB, 2B (6), 2 K, 3 RS, SB (8) -- .218
3B Moustakas 1-2, HBP, 2 BB, HR (11), 2 RBI (38), K, 2 RS -- .400
2B Giavotella 1-5, SF, 2 RBI (11), 3 K, 2 RS, SB (7) -- .297
CF D. Robinson 1-3, BB, RBI (11), K, RS, 2 SB (24), CS (6) -- .303
RF Van Stratten 1-6 -- .273

Santiago 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 K, HRA -- W, 3-3, 2.54 ERA
Coleman 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K -- SV, 2, 1.95 ERA

* An 11-run tear over 2 innings made for a runaway win for NW Arkansas. Mario Santiago gave up a run on 2 hits in the 1st but the Naturals got 2 in their half on a 2-run Mike Moustakas homer for his 11th of the season. The Travelers tied it on 2 hits in the 2nd but Tim Smith hammered a 2-run homer (his 3rd) and Chris McConnell doubled and scored on an error to make it 5-2. Santiago gave up a homer in the 3rd, but the Naturals started to edge away with 3 in the 4th on a Johnny Giavotella sac fly and 2-run Clint Robinson double. They put it on ice with 6 in the 5th on a Smith RBI single, Derrick Robinson RBI single, Giavotella RBI forceout, and 3-run Clint Robinson homer for his 5th of the season. For good measure, the Naturals added 5 in the 6th on a 3-run Smith homer (his 4th and 2nd of the game), and a 2-run Clint Robinson double. Arkansas got a run in the 8th as a last gasp. Arkansas SP Ryan Brasier took the loss with 8 runs (7 ER) over 3 2/3 IP. Three Travs had 2 hits as DH Paul McAnulty drove in 2 runs (22) including his 11th homer. NWA is 27-14. The 19 runs and 22 hits are a club record. Clint Robinson's 7 RBI tied a club mark. Eduardo Paulino starts Sunday's series finale.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 2, Myrtle Beach 1 (15)

RF Ortiz 2-5, BB, S, K, CS (8) -- .290
CF Norris 1-7, GW RBI (15), K -- .208
2B F. Garcia 0-4, 2 BB, RBI (6), 2 K, SB (6), E (4) -- .214
1B Hosmer 1-5, BB -- .381
C S. Perez 1-5, BB, 2B (9), RS -- .292
SS Navarro 1-5, 2B (2) -- .212
The Rocks stranded 10.

Melville 8 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K, pickoff -- 7.19 ERA, nice
Bowden 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 1.80 ERA
Baumann 4 IP, H, BB, K -- W, 2-0, 2.39 ERA

* Tim Melville had a great start but the game lasted 15 innings until the Rocks finally ended it with the win. Melville and Pelicans SP Yeliar Castro dueled through 4 scoreless but both teams notched a run in the 5th as Fernando Garcia hit an RBI forceout for the Rocks. Barry Bowden stranded 2 after taking over for Melville in the 9th and did the same in the 10th. Ten straight Rocks had been retired going into the 12th when the Rocks left the bases full. Rey Navarro led off the 15th with a double but got thrown out at third on a fielder's choice. With 2 on and 2 out, Patrick Norris hit a walkoff single to end it. RP David Francis allowed an ER over 1 2/3 IP for the loss. 1B Michael Jones and 3B Samuel Sime had 2 hits for the Pelicans. The Rocks are 19-24. Chris Dwyer starts Sunday for Wilmington.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 8, Bees 4

3B F. Cruz 2-4 -- .216
LF Frost 2-4, 2B (6) -- .275
1B Lewis 1-4, RBI (22), K, RS -- .262
CF Testa 1-4, RBI (15), CS (4) -- .260
C Bonilla 1-4, RBI (3), K -- .190
DH Myers 1-2, 2 BB, K, RS -- .266

Paukovits 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- 3.08 ERA
Odenbach IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, K, WP -- L, 1-3, 4.35 ERA
Kelley 2 IP, ER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 7.41 ERA

* The Bees started the game with 4 runs but it was all Rattlers thereafter. The Bees loaded the bases with 0 out in the 1st and Joey Lewis singled in a run before a run-scoring error, Rene Oriental double play and Jose Bonilla RBI single made it 4-0 Burlington. The Rattlers scored 2 in the 1st and then tied it before stranding 2 in the 4th off Bryan Paukovits. Wisconsin scored 3 in the 6th off Dusty Odenbach and the Bees left the bases full in the 7th. Wisconsin tacked on a run in the 8th and the Bees didn't threaten again. Rattlers SP Kyle Heckathorn got the win with 4 runs (1 ER) over 7 IP. C Cameron Garfield had 2 hits and SS Michael Marseco drove in 3 (17). The Bees are 15-26. Game 3 is Sunday afternoon.

Royals on the Farm 5/21 -- One word: Montgomery...make it two: Lamb

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, Salt Lake 1

1B Ka'aihue 3-4, BB, 2 RBI (22), K, RS -- .329, sigh
RF Miller 1-4, HR (4), 2 RBI (12), K, RS -- .211, starting to come around
3B Mertins 1-3, S, RBI (4), K -- .250
SS Betemit 2-4, 2B (6), RS -- .275
2B Falu 2-5, K, RS -- .321
CF Lough 0-3, 2 BB -- .268
LF Gordon 0-4, BB, K -- .339
DH Parraz 1-4, BB -- .244
Omaha stranded 12.

Mendoza 7 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 6 K, HRA -- W, 2-2, 3.06 ERA, wow
Marte and Holland each an IP, nothing -- ERAs of 3.91/4.98

* Angels prospect lefty Trevor Reckling, who had some nice moments against the Naturals last season, isn't finding the going so good in AAA as the O-Royals battered him for an Omaha win Friday. Kila Ka'aihue hit an RBI single in the 1st but the Royals stranded the bases full. Kurt Mertins singled home a run in the 3rd and the Bees got their only run on a solo homer by 1B Mark Trumbo (his 9th) in the 4th as Luis Mendoza had a great start. Ka'aihue hit another RBI single in the 4th to get the run back and Jai Miller cranked a 2-run homer in the 5th for his 4th of the season to finish the scoring. Reckling allowed 5 ER over 6 IP to fall to 3-3 with a 6.38 ERA. SS Gary Patchett was the only Bee with 2 hits. Omaha is 19-20. Gaby Hernandez starts Saturday's game 3.

AA - NWA: Naturals 5, Arkansas 1

3B Moustakas 2-4, 2 2B (12), 3 RBI (36) -- .398, just keeps hitting
2B Giavotella 3-4, 2B (9), 2 RS, CS (2) -- .300
RF Van Stratten 1-3, BB, RBI (17), RS -- .278
C Howell 1-4, RBI (11), K -- .297
CF D. Robinson 1-4, RS -- .302
1B C. Robinson 1-3, BB, 2B (10), RS -- .247

Montgomery 7 2/3 IP, ER, 7 H, 7 K, WP, 2 pickoffs -- W, 3-1, 2.01 ERA, man
R. Hardy 1 1/3 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 4.91 ERA

* Mike Montgomery and Mike Moustakas made M the letter of the day again for NW Arkansas as they led the Naturals to a 5th straight win. Moustakas mauled an RBI double in the 1st and Nick Van Stratten and Jeff Howell met the ball for RBI singles in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Montgomery made 8 straight Travelers return sadly to the bench at one point. He mixed in 2 pickoffs over the course of his 7 2/3 innings, which ended after he allowed Arkansas to mark its only run of the game in the 7th and edged close to the 100-pitch milestone in the 8th. Moustakas massacred a 2-run double in the 7th and Rowdy Hardy finished the game. Arkansas SP Tim Kiely took the loss with 5 ER over 6 IP. Three Travs had 2 hits, but the Travelers had 0 XBH. NWA is 26-14.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Myrtle Beach 1

C S. Perez 2-4, 2B (8), 2 RBI (13), PB (5) -- .297
1B Hosmer 2-4, 3B (4), 2 K, RS, SB (7) -- .387, showing some wheels
LF Walton 1-2, BB, SF, 3B (4), 2 RBI (11), RS -- .186
RF Ortiz 0-4 -- .287
SS Navarro 0-4, E (3) -- .213

Lamb 6 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K -- W, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, arguably better than Montgomery's night
Keating 3 IP, H, 4 K -- SV, 4, 1.13 ERA

* John Lamb had a great Carolina League debut as the youngest player in the league (second youngest is Salvador Perez) showed he was up to the challenge. It was a bad day all around for the Pelicans as 3 got 50-game suspensions for PEDs. Two walks turned into a Pelicans run in the 3rd but that was Lamb's only blemish on the night. Perez tied the game with a 2-out RBI double in the 4th and Jamar Walton hit the go-ahead triple in the 6th before scoring on a Perez fielder's choice. Lamb never exactly cruised but he was never in serious trouble, either. Eric Hosmer tripled and scored on a Walton sac fly in the 8th. Patrick Keating retired the last 7 Pelicans. MB SP Matt Crim went the distance for the loss with 4 ER over 8 IP. Five Pelicans had a hit each. The Rocks are 18-24. Tim Melville will try to capture some of the pitching magic Saturday. Wilmington has a league-best 22 triples.

A - Burlington: Bees 16, Wisconsin 4

RF Oriental 4-5, SF, 2B (6), 3B, 2 RBI (14), 3 RS, 2 SB (6) -- .275
C Myers 2-3, 3 BB, 2B (9), HR (6), 4 RBI (28), 4 RS, PB (11) -- .263
SS R. Wood 2-5, BB, 3B, 3 RBI (5), K, RS -- .175
1B Graterol 3-6, 2B (3), 2 RBI (8), K, 2 RS -- .377
3B Frost 2-6, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI (9), 3 K -- .262
LF-CF Testa 3-5, BB, 3B (4), RBI (14), 2 RS -- .260
DH Lewis 3-6, 2B (11), RBI (21), 2 K, 2 RS -- .263
2B D. Batista 3-6, 2B (6), 2 RS -- .201
CF Richardson 0-4, HBP -- .179, pretty much only one not in on the party
The Bees stranded 10.

Wooley 5 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 4 K, WP -- W, 2-2, 4.60 ERA
Encarnacion 1 2/3 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, K -- 8.64 ERA
Hodge 2 1/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K -- 3.32 ERA

* The Bees were killer bees on Friday as they ravaged Wisconsin in the series opener. The first 2 Bees singled and Wil Myers kicked off the fireworks with a 3-run homer for his 6th of the season and the Bees had a 3-0 lead without an out. Wisconsin scratched out a run off Nick Wooley in the 1st but the Bees notched single runs in the next 4 innings on a Carlo Testa RBI single, Adam Frost RBI double, Myers RBI double and Ryan Wood RBI triple. Rene Oriental maintained his hot streak by tripling to lead off the 7th and scored on a wild pitch to make it 8-1. Rodolfo Encarnacion gave up 3 runs in the bottom of that inning but the Bees made some honey with 5 runs in the 8th on a Joey Lewis RBI double, Juan Graterol RBI single, Oriental RBI double, and 2-run Wood single that made it 13-4. Graterol doubled in a run in the 9th before Oriental lifted a sac fly and Frost doubled in the final run. Rattlers SP Eric Arnett allowed 7 ER over 5 2/3 IP to fall to 0-4. RF Erik Miller had 2 hits and an OF assist at second. The Bees are 15-25.

Royals on the Farm 5/20

AAA - Omaha: Salt Lake 6, O-Royals 3

CF Lough 3-5, SB (4) -- .273
SS Betemit 2-4, SF, 2B (5), RBI (17) -- .267
RF Parraz 1-3, 2 HBP, 2B (13), 2 RBI (21) -- .244, en fuego
LF Gordon 0-3, 2 BB, RS -- .364
1B Ka'aihue 1-2, 3 BB, K, RS -- .309
DH Miller 1-3, BB, 2 K -- .209
Omaha stranded 12.

Humber 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- 4.56 ERA
Herges IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, HRA -- L, 1-2, 4.87 ERA
B. Johnson IP, 2 K -- 9.72 ERA
Rupe IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

* Omaha came back from 3 runs down but couldn't hang on as the Bees won the series opener. The Royals stranded the bases full in the 1st and Salt Lake took the lead with a run in the 3rd. Omaha stranded 2 that inning and Phil Humber gave up a 2-run homer in the 4th to make it 3-0. Jordan Parraz slapped a 2-run double and Wilson Betemit hit a sac fly to tie it in the 5th. Matt Herges gave up a 3-run homer in the 7th and that was that. Omaha left the bases loaded in the 8th and stranded 2 in the 9th. Salt Lake SP Marco Albano allowed 3 ER over 6 IP for his 1st win of the season. Former Royals farmhand Gabe DeHoyos pitched 2 scoreless innings and tiptoed out of the 8th. Three Bees had 2 hits and 1B Mark Trumbo had his 8th homer for the gamebreaking 3-run shot for his 32nd RBI. Omaha is 18-20. Parraz on Wednesday was the first O-Royal to hit 4 doubles in a game since 2000. Luis Mendoza starts Friday's game 2.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Tulsa 2

3B Moustakas 3-4, 2 HR (10), 4 RBI (33), 2 RS -- .394, when will he see Omaha?
1B Seratelli 0-2, SF, RBI (6), K -- .189
CF D. Robinson 1-3, BB, RS, CS (5) -- .303
2B Giavotella 0-1, 2 BB, S, RS, E (6) -- .288
RF Van Stratten 1-4, 2B (8) -- .276

Crow 7 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, BB, 6 K, HRA, WP, pickoff -- W, 2-3, 4.47 ERA, first solid start in a while
B. Hardy 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- SV, 4, 0.69 ERA

* The Naturals broke a late tie with 3 runs as Mike Moustakas shone through again. Moustakas drilled a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 9th of the season and Aaron Crow gave up a solo homer in the 3rd to cut the lead in half. Tulsa tied it in the 6th but Anthony Seratelli hit a sac fly in the 7th and Blaine Hardy stranded the bases full in the 8th. Moustakas hit a key 2-run homer in the 8th for his 10th of the season and 2nd of the game and the Nats had some breathing room for good. Hardy pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 4th save. P Andy Graham took the loss for Tulsa with an unearned run over 1 IP. Starter Christian Friedrich allowed 2 ER over 6 IP. SS Eider Torres and RF Bronson Sardinha had 2 hits each. NWA is 25-14. A 4-game home set with the Arkansas Travelers (15-23, AA Angels) starts Friday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Lynchburg 9, Blue Rocks 2

SS Navarro 1-3, RBI (8), E (2) -- .228
CF Norris 1-4, RBI (14), K, RS, SB (10) -- .209
RF Ortiz 1-4, 3B (4), RS -- .295
1B Hosmer 1-4, 2B (16) -- .384

Baez 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 11 H, K, WP -- L, 1-3, 5.71 ERA
Lafferty 2 2/3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 4 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- 4.97 ERA

* The Rocks led for one brief moment and then the Hillcats regained control to split the series. Two doubles gave Lynchburg the lead off Manauris Baez in the 2nd but Adrian Ortiz tripled to lead off the 4th and scored on a Patrick Norris single. Rey Navarro singled in another run later in the inning to make it 2-1 Rocks. The lead lasted 4 batters before the Hillcats tied it and then took the lead. Lynchburg scored 2 in the 6th, 1 in the 7th and 3 in the 8th off Baez and Brendan Lafferty. Wilmington didn't put up much more fight offensively. Hillcats SP Matt Fairel got the win with 2 ER over 7 IP to move to 4-1. Six Hillcats had multiple hits led by a 3-hit game from 2B Jose Gualdron. 3B Alex Buchholz had 2 hits and 3 RBI (23). Wilmington is 17-24. A 3-game home set with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (13-28, A-Adv. Braves) starts Friday. John Lamb makes his A-Advanced debut with the start.

A - Burlington: rainout

* The game will be made up next week in Clinton. A 4-game set at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (13-26, A Brewers) starts Friday.

Royals on the Farm 5/19

AAA - Omaha: off day

* Omaha is 18-19. Phil Humber starts the first of 4 with the Salt Lake Bees (19-19, AAA Angels) Thursday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 1, Tulsa 0 (4-hitter)

3B Moustakas 2-4, K -- .380
SS McConnell 1-3, RBI (7), E (8) -- .215
CF D. Robinson 0-3, BB, K -- .303
1B C. Robinson 0-4, 2 K -- .245
RF Van Stratten 0-4, SB (6), picked off -- .277

Osuna 5 IP, 3 H, 4 K -- 1.23 ERA, pulled early on rainy day
Teaford 3 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- W, 4-2, 5.08 ERA
Sisk IP, BB -- SV, 4, 1.71 ERA

* The Naturals kept the good times rolling with a 3rd straight win overall and 5th straight over Tulsa. Both teams scattered baserunners early and NWA put some pressure on Tulsa SP Cory Riordan in the 4th but got nothing out of it. Everett Teaford took over after a leadoff Tulsa double and a 71-minute rain delay in the 6th and the Nats nailed a runner at the plate in the inning as Teaford escaped unscathed. Chris McConnell had the gamebreaker with an RBI single in the 7th and Teaford and Brandon Sisk made it stand. RP Sean Jarrett took the loss with an ER over 2 IP. Riordan allowed 2 hits and 3 walks with 5 K over 5 IP. 3B Matt Repec had 2 hits. NWA is 24-14. Aaron Crow starts Thursday's finale as NWA goes for the sweep.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Lynchburg 2

2B F. Garcia 3-4, RBI (5) -- .234
DH Prasch 2-4, RS -- .254
1B Hosmer 2-5, 2B (15), RS -- .388
CF Norris 1-5, HR, 3 RBI (13), RS, E (2) -- .208
LF Walton 1-4, 2 RBI (9), RS -- .175
C S. Perez 1-4, HR (3), RBI (11), K, RS, PB (4) -- .289
RF Ortiz 1-5, K, RS, picked off -- .296
SS Navarro 1-3, BB, RS, E -- .222

Caldera 6 IP, UER, 4 H, 3 K -- W, 3-2, 2.89 ERA
De La Rosa 2 IP, UER, 2 H, BB, K -- 0.00 ERA
Mozingo IP, H, 2 K -- 9.35 ERA

* It wasn't an 11-K start, but it was a 6-inning, no-earned-run outing for Alex Caldera as he continued to make his presence felt in the Rocks' rotation. Lynchburg scored after Rey Navarro's 1st Rocks error in the 2nd but Navarro scored on a wild pitch in the 3rd and Patrick Norris clubbed his 1st homer of the season for a 3-run dinger to make it 4-1 Rocks. Salvador Perez hit his 3rd homer in the 4th. Jamar Walton knocked a 2-run single and Fernando Garcia singled in a run in the 6th to make it 8-1. A Norris error turned into Lynchburg's other run in the 8th. RP Daryl Harang allowed 8 ER over 3 1/3 IP to take his 1st loss of the season. Lynchburg SP Mark Serrano pitched 2 hitless innings. Seven 'Cats had a hit each. The Rocks are 17-23. Manauris Baez starts Thursday's series finale.

A - Burlington: Bees 4, Clinton 1

RF Oriental 2-4, HR (2), 3 RBI (12), RS -- .255
1B Graterol 2-4 -- .364
CF Testa 1-4, K, 2 RS -- .246
C Myers 1-3, BB, RS -- .254
DH Bonilla 0-3, K -- .184

Mitchell 5 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 9 K, HRA, WP -- 5.03 ERA
Sirrett 1 1/3 IP, H, 3 K, WP -- 0.00 ERA
Hayenga IP, BB -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, lot of new blood all of a sudden
Dennick IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 4.22 ERA

* A 3-run blast by Rene Oriental in the 8th was the difference. Matt Mitchell served up a solo homer in the 1st but Carlo Testa singled and scored on an error to tie the game in the same inning. Mitchell and Clinton SP James Gillheeney dueled from there and the game went to the bullpens. Oriental stepped up with 2 on and 2 out in the 8th and came through with his 2nd homer of the season to break the tie. Ryan Dennick pitched a 1-2-3 9th. RP Daniel Cooper took the loss. Gillheeney allowed an unearned run over 7 IP to lower his ERA to 2.34. The LumberKings only had 3 hits. The Bees are 14-25. IF Ryan Stovall was demoted to Idaho Falls and P Kelvin Herrera was put on the DL with elbow inflammation. Hope that's all it is. Keaton Hayenga and Onassis Sirrett, as shown, joined the squad as Jose Bonilla also returned from the DL. Hayenga is joining the rotation.

Royals on the Farm 5/18 -- Lubanski's revenge

AAA - Omaha: Las Vegas 6, O-Royals 5 (late Mon.)

SS Falu 3-4, BB, GS, 4 RBI (10), RS, E (9) -- .318, error put damper on one of best games of his career
DH Lough 2-4, S, 2 2B (6), RS -- .262
LF Gordon 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (13) -- .362
RF Parraz 1-5, K -- .213
CF Miller 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .182

B. Johnson IP, 5 R (4 ER), 3 H, BB, HRA -- L, 0-1, 11.05 ERA
Marte 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- 4.09 ERA
Herges 3 IP, ER, H, HRA -- 3.72 ERA

* A slugfest start became a pitchers' duel over the last 7 innings but the 51s pulled out the narrow victory. Omaha stranded 2 in the 1st and Blake Johnson had an ugly start as a 3-run homer and sac fly made it 4-0 51s. Irving Falu stepped up with 1 out and the bases loaded in the 2nd and cranked a grand slam for his 1st homer of the season to bail Johnson out. Falu started the bottom of the 2nd with an error and Johnson and manager Mike Jirschele were ejected after Johnson's next pitch got a little too close to the batter for the home ump's comfort. Victor Marte allowed the inherited runner to score before getting out of the inning. Omaha left the bases loaded in the 4th and Jai Miller got thrown out at home in the 6th to keep the Vegas lead intact. Former Royal prospect Chris Lubanski put some breathing room in the game with a solo homer in the 8th off Matt Herges for his 9th homer of the season, which ties him for second in the PCL. Alex Gordon got the run back on an RBI single in the 9th but was stranded at first. 51s SP Lance Broadway allowed 4 ER over 5 IP to improve to 1-5 on the season. Lubanski and 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir had 2 hits as Lubanski also added his 1st triple and 2nd SB of the season and drove in his 20th RBI. C J.P. Arencibia hit a 3-run homer for his 5th of the season.

O-Royals 17, Las Vegas 5 (today)

RF Parraz 5-6, 4 2B (12), HR (3), 4 RBI (19), K, 3 RS -- .242, um, think he's heating up
CF Miller 3-6, 2 HR (3), 3 RBI (10), 3 RS -- .205, hopefully gets him going
SS Falu 3-7, 2 2B (5), 2 RBI (12), K, 3 RS -- .323, wish I rooted for a team where they'd trade Yuniesky and give Irving a shot
LF Gordon 3-5, BB, 2 RBI (15), SB (2), RS -- .385
2B Maddox 2-5, BB, 2B (5), 2 RBI (16), 2 RS -- .270
3B Lucas 3-6, 2 2B (4), RBI (6), K, 3 RS, E -- .278
C Clark 1-5, SF, RBI (8), 2 K, RS -- .191
Omaha stranded 11.

Lerew 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 9 H, 3 K, HRA -- W, 2-2, 3.40 ERA, not a great start, but easy W when you get 12 runs of support
Holland 3 IP, H -- 5.23 ERA
Castaneda IP, H -- 5.40 ERA

* The Royals scored 12 unanswered runs to pound the 51s into submission. Omaha started quietly by stranding 1 in the 1st and Vegas got to Anthony Lerew for a run in the bottom of the frame. Omaha spun that in circles with a 6-run 2nd on an Ed Lucas RBI groundout, a Jai Miller solo homer (his 2nd), RBI singles from Marc Maddox and Alex Gordon and a 2-run Jordan Parraz double for his second 2-bagger of the inning. The Royals added 5 in the 3rd on a 2-run Miller homer (his 2nd of the game and 3rd of the season), a Maddox RBI double, and yet another 2-run double from Parraz. Cody Clark added a sac fly in the 4th to make it 12-1 before Lerew started to struggle in the 5th. Vegas got a solo homer that inning and 3 runs in the 6th on 4 singles to chase Lerew. Parraz led off the 8th with his 3rd homer, Irving Falu slapped a 2-run double and Gordon singled in a run to make it 16-5. Parraz wasn't done, as he led off the 9th with his 4th double of the game and scored on an error. 51s SP Marc Rzepczynski took the hammering with 9 ER over 2 1/3 IP to push his ERA to 34.71. Three 51s, including Lubanski, had 2 hits. Lubanski hit his 10th double to improve to .285. Best wishes with the Jays. Jays prospect 1B Brett Wallace was 1-4 with his 13th double and 32nd RBI to improve to .309. Omaha is 18-19. They have tomorrow off to return to the Central time zone.

AA - NWA: Naturals 9, Tulsa 3

DH Mejia 3-4, 2 2B (6), 2 RBI (23), 2 RS -- .244
RF Orlando 3-4, 2B (5), RBI (16), RS -- .261
CF D. Robinson 3-5, RBI (10), CS (4), OF assist at second -- .309
LF T. Smith 2-4, GS (2), 4 RBI (11), RS -- .261, biggest hit yet for organization
SS McConnell 1-4, RBI (6), K, picked off -- .211
3B Moustakas 2-4, HBP, 2B (10), RS -- .375
C Howell 2-4, BB, 2B (3), K, 3 RS -- .310
2B Giavotella 1-5, RS -- .290
1B C. Robinson 0-5, K -- .252

Paulino 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 4-1, 4.24 ERA, not a good WHIP day, but enough for the win
Coleman 3 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 1.82 ERA
Villa IP, H -- 8.56 ERA

* NWA stormed out of a 3-0 hole to continue to get right against the Drillers. Tulsa churned out 3 runs off Eduardo Paulino in the 1st but the Naturals tied it in the 2nd on an Ernesto Mejia RBI double and RBI singles from Chris McConnell and Derrick Robinson. Tulsa stranded 2 in the 4th and Mejia and Paulo Orlando hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the 4th to take the lead. Tim Smith creamed a grand slam in the 5th for his 2nd homer of the season and it was 9-3 Nats. Louis Coleman and Kelvin Villa finished it off with 4 scoreless IP. Tulsa SP Greg Reynolds allowed 9 ER over 4 2/3 IP. Three Drillers had 2 hits. NWA is 23-14. Edgar Osuna starts game 3 for NWA Wednesday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Lynchburg 5, Blue Rocks 1 (7/G1)

DH Prasch 1-3, 2B (9), RBI (11) -- .239
1B Hosmer 1-3 - .388
RF Ortiz 1-3, K, SB (14) -- .291
SS Navarro 1-3 -- .208

Hodgson 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 2 HRA, 2 pickoffs -- L, 2-3, 6.75 ERA
Thompson IP, H, 3 K -- 8.53 ERA

* The Hillcats rolled past Ivor Hodgson and the Rocks. They wasted no time as they got a run in the 1st, but the Rocks got an RBI double from Eddie Prasch in the 2nd. A solo homer gave the lead back to Lynchburg in the 3rd and they added a run in the 4th and 2 runs in the 5th. Wilmington didn't really threaten after the 2nd. Curtis Partch started and allowed an ER over 6 IP to move to 2-3 for the 'Cats. Three Hillcats had 2 hits as CF Josh Fellhauer hit his 4th homer with 2 RBI (17).

Blue Rocks 5, Lynchburg 4 (7/G2)

RF Ortiz 2-3, BB, 3B (3), 3 RS, 2 SB (16) -- .299
DH Hosmer 1-3, 3 RBI (29) -- .387
1B Romak 1-2, BB, HR (3), RBI (21), RS -- .203
C S. Perez 0-3, K -- .290
SS Navarro 1-3, RBI (7) -- .216

Dwyer 5 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 7 K, WP -- W, 2-2, 3.89 ERA
Baumann 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K, WP -- SV, 3, 2.82 ERA

* Eric Hosmer had a productive night and Chris Dwyer picked up his 2nd win of the season as the Rocks split the twinbill. Hosmer hit an RBI groundout in the 1st and then singled home Adrian Ortiz, who had tripled, in the 3rd. Rey Navarro singled home a run in the 4th and Dwyer had been perfect thru 3 but allowed a run on 2 hits in the 4th. Hosmer drove in Ortiz with another groundout in the 5th and Jamie Romak added a solo homer for his 3rd of the season to make it 5-1. Buddy Baumann came in with 2 on and 2 out in the 6th and allowed both inherited runners to score as the Hillcats rallied for 3 runs. Baumann rebounded for a perfect 7th to pick up his 3rd save. Lynchburg SP Brad Boxberger allowed 3 ER over 4 IP to take the loss. 1B Carlos Mendez and LF Kevyn Feiner had 2 hits. The Rocks are 16-23. Alex Caldera will try to follow up his 11-K start tomorrow.

A - Burlington: Clinton 4, Bees 1

1B F. Cruz 2-3 -- .213
3B R. Wood 0-3, RBI (2), K -- .152
LF Testa 1-4, K -- .246
CF Richardson 0-3 -- .186

Sample 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K, WP -- L, 1-2, 4.89 ERA
Kelley 2 IP, UER, BB, K, E -- 7.80 ERA
Odenbach IP, H, BB, 3 K -- 3.20 ERA

* The Bees' offensive struggles continued as Clinton took the series opener. Clinton rallied for 2 runs off Tyler Sample in the 1st and another run in the 2nd as Sample labored. Ryan Wood drove in Burlington's only run in the 5th to cut it to 3-1. Scott Kelley allowed a run in the 7th and the last 7 Bees went down in order. Clinton SP Erasmo Ramirez allowed an ER over 7 IP to move to 2-2. RF James Jones and LF Welington Dotel had 2 hits for the LumberKings. Jones had an OF assist at second. The Bees are 13-25. Matt Mitchell pitches for the Bees Wednesday.

Royals on the Farm 5/17

AAA - Omaha: stupidwestcoastgamei'mnotstayinguptofinish

* I'll recap it tomorrow. Alex Gordon was named PCL Hitter of the Week after hitting 11-22 with 3 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI and 7 RS over the week. 1B Kila Ka'aihue will rejoin the O-Royals when they return home on Thursday. Blake Johnson started tonight and got shellacked before getting tossed in the 2nd, but it's 5-4 Vegas in the middle innings thanks to a grand salaaaaaami from Irving Falu, who chose a fine time for his 1st homer of 2010. Anthony Lerew starts Tuesday's game.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 4, Tulsa 0 (4-hitter)

3B Moustakas 2-4, HR (8), 3 RBI (29), K, RS -- .370
2B Giavotella 2-4, 2B (8), RS -- .293
RF Orlando 2-3, 2B (4) -- .239
CF D. Robinson 1-4, RS, SB (22) -- .299
1B C. Robinson 1-4, 2B (9), K, RS, E (5) -- .261

Santiago 7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- W, 2-3, 2.25 ERA
B. Hardy 2 IP, BB, 4 K -- SV, 3, 0.75 ERA

* Mario Santiago had a good start and the Naturals broke their losing streak. Clint Robinson doubled and scored on an error in the 2nd before the Rocks left 2 in scoring position. Mike Moustakas hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd for his 8th homer of the season to make it 3-0. Santiago worked out of a bases loaded jam in the 6th and Moustakas singled in a run in the 8th to make it 4-0. The first 2 reached on Blaine Hardy in the 9th but he proceeded to strike out the next 3 for his 3rd save. Tulsa SP Ching Lung Lo took the loss with 3 runs (2 ER) over 4 IP to fall to 0-1. 1B Kiel Roling had 2 hits for the Drillers. The Naturals are 22-14. As "Anonymous" pointed out in a comment on yesterday's post, Mike Montgomery got pulled early Sunday because of a rain delay. I shoulda figured that one out.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: rainout

* The game will be made up as part of a Tuesday doubleheader. Ivor Hodgson and Chris Dwyer will start for the Rocks. P John Lamb got the call up from Burlington and will start Friday. He was 2-3 with a 1.58 ERA, 43 K/17 BB in 40 IP for the Bees. P Jairo Cuevas was put on the DL, I guess, May 11, which the team site acted like was news to them. P Alex Caldera was honored as Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for May 10-16 after his 11 K start.

A - Burlington: off day

* A 3-game home set with the Clinton LumberKings (19-19, A Mariners) starts Tuesday. The Bees are 13-24 and 9 games out.

Royals on the Farm 5/16 -- Montgomery struggles a bit

AAA - Omaha: Las Vegas 6, O-Royals 2

SS Falu 2-5, 2B (3), RS, E (8) -- .306
DH Gordon 1-3, HBP, BB, RBI (12), K, SB -- .364
CF Miller 1-2, 2 BB, HR, RBI (7), K, RS -- .189
LF Lough 0-5 -- .255
RF Parraz 0-1, 3 BB -- .214
The O-Royals stranded 11.

Hernandez 5 2/3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 11 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 3-3, 5.73 ERA
Campillo 2 1/3 IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA

* Gaby Hernandez got rocked and Omaha dropped game 2 to Vegas. The Royals left the bases full in the 1st but got a solo homer from Jai Miller for his 1st for the organization in the 2nd. Hernandez loaded the bases in the 2nd and 2 runs came in to give the 51s a 2-1 lead. Vegas added a run in the 4th and 5th and then 2 in the 6th to chase Gaby. Alex Gordon hit an RBI single in the 7th but the Royals stranded 2. That was their last, best shot. Vegas SP Rey Gonzalez allowed an ER over 6 IP to improve to 4-2. Six 51s had 2 hits each, including LF Chris Lubanski. 1B Brett Wallace hit his 11th homer and SS Luis Figueroa drove in 2. Omaha is 17-18. Bryan Bullington was to start game 3 Monday but got called up today as 1B Kila Ka'aihue got sent back down after 4 whopping ABs.

AA - NWA: Springfield 10, Naturals 9

3B Moustakas 2-4, BB, GS (7), 4 RBI (26), 2 K, 2 RS, E (5) -- .364
CF D. Robinson 2-4, SF, 2B (5), RBI (9), K, RS -- .300
1B C. Robinson 1-4, HBP, HR (4), 3 RBI (18), 2 K, RS -- .262
RF Orlando 1-4, RBI (15), RS -- .224
2B Giavotella 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .287
LF Tim Smith had an OF assist at home.

Montgomery 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, K -- L, 2-1, 2.45 ERA, pulled after 53 pitches
R. Hardy 3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- 5.29 ERA
Chavez 2 IP, 2 UER, H, K -- 5.87 ERA

* The Naturals made a valiant comeback that came up 1 run short. NWA left 2 in scoring position in the 1st and Mike Montgomery struggled from the start as Springfield scored 2 in the 1st on 3 singles and 2 walks. NWA stranded 2 in the 3rd and Montgomery was pulled after 3 for no apparent reason. Springfield added a run in the 5th off Rowdy Hardy and then 5 more in the 6th off Rowdy to blow the lead out to 8-0. Paulo Orlando got NWA started with an RBI single in the 6th and it turned into a 6-run rally with a Derrick Robinson sac fly and Mike Moustakas' biggest hit yet, a grand slam (his 7th) that cut it to 8-6. The Cardinals scratched out 2 runs off Chris Chavez in the 8th, which ended up being big. Clint Robinson slammed a 3-run homer in the 9th (his 4th) to cut the lead to 1 but that was all the Naturals could do. Starter David Kopp pitched 5 scoreless innings to improve to 4-0. Three Cards had multiple hits led by 3 hits from 3B Matt Carpenter. 1B Curt Smith and LF Aaron Luna had 3 RBI each. NWA is 21-14 and on a 4-game losing streak. A 4-game home set with the Tulsa Drillers (15-19, AA Rockies) starts Monday.

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

CF Norris 2-4, BB, 2 2B (5), RBI (10), K, RS, CS (3) -- .218
LF Walton 1-4, 2 RBI (7) -- .157
C S. Perez 1-4, RBI (10), K -- .300
DH Prasch 1-3, BB, 2B (8), RBI (10), K, RS -- .234
1B Hosmer 0-5, K, RS, SB (6) -- .390
RF Ortiz 0-3, BB, S, K, RS -- .290
SS Navarro 1-4, 2B, RS -- .200

Melville 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- 8.64 ERA, second solid start of season
Mozingo 2/3 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, HRA -- 10.57 ERA
Bowden 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB -- BS, 3, L, 1-2, 2.12 ERA

* The Blue Rocks blew a 6-1 lead. Patrick Norris hit an RBI double in the 1st and Tim Melville allowed a run in the 2nd to tie it. Wilmington broke out with a 5-run 5th on an Eddie Prasch RBI double, a run-scoring error, a 2-run Jamar Walton single and an RBI single from Salvador Perez. Melville allowed a run in the 5th and was pulled after a 2-out walk in the 6th but had his best start in a few weeks. Harold Mozingo gave up a leadoff homer in the 7th before Barry Bowden allowed an inherited runner to score as part of a 3-run P-Nats rally that cut the lead to 6-5. The Rocks left 2 in scoring position in the 9th and Bowden gave up a 1-out RBI double and walkoff single to finish the game. RP Clayton Dill got the final 2 outs in the 9th for the win. Starter Brad Peacock allowed 6 runs (2 ER) over 4 2/3 IP. 3B Tim Pahuta had 3 hits, including his 9th homer, and 2 RBI (21) in the loss. RF Michael Burgess drove in 2 runs (29). DH Derek Norris had 2 hits. The Rocks are 15-22. A 4-game set at Lynchburg (15-22, A-Adv. Reds) starts Monday. Ivor Hodgson starts the opener.

A - Burlington: Peoria 8, Bees 1

DH Graterol 2-4 -- .362
CF Richardson 1-2, 2 BB, RBI (9), SB (13) -- .191, moved to 9th
C Myers 0-2, K -- .252
LF Testa 0-3, BB, 2 K, picked off -- .245

Herrera 4 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 K -- L, 2-3, 4.35 ERA
Encarnacion 3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K, 2 WP, balk -- 9.45 ERA
Hodge IP, H, 2 K -- 3.78 ERA
Lehmann IP, 2 ER, 3 H, K, WP -- 6.53 ERA

* The Bees' offense sputtered and the Chiefs regained control with the series win. Peoria got all it needed with 3 runs in the 3rd off Kelvin Herrera. The Chiefs added a run in the 5th and another in both the 6th and 7th. The Bees finally scratched out a run on a Hilton Richardson RBI single in the 7th. Mike Lehmann gave the run back in the 9th. Chiefs SP Jeffry Antigua pitched 5 scoreless innings for his 1st win of the season. Five Chiefs had multiple hits and 2 had 2 RBI. The Bees are 13-24. They have Monday off.

Royals on the Farm 5/15 -- Crow takes an L

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 15, Las Vegas 1

DH Parraz 4-6, 3 2B (8), 2 RBI (15), K, 3 RS -- .216
CF Lough 4-6, BB, 2B (4), RBI (15), 3 RS -- .264
2B-SS Falu 4-6, BB, RBI (6), K, 3 RS -- .303
LF Gordon 3-4, 3 BB, 2 2B (4), 4 RBI (11), K, 2 RS -- .366, Trey gets fired, AG starts hitting
C Clark 3-6, 2 2B (4), RBI (7), 2 RS -- .190
1B Thorman 2-5, HR (6), 2 RBI (15), 2 K, RS -- .236
SS-1B Betemit 1-6, BB, 2 RBI (16), 2 K -- .292
3B-2B Mertins 1-6, RBI (3), 3 K, RS -- .313
RF Miller 1-5, BB, 2B (2), RBI (6), 2 K -- .181, everybody got in on act
Omaha stranded 17.

Mendoza 5 IP, ER, 4 H, K -- W, 1-2, 4.22 ERA, where'd that come from?
Castaneda 3 IP, H, BB, K -- 6.00 ERA
Rupe IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, back in Omaha

* The Royals put it on the 51s. Omaha loaded the bases with 0 out in the 1st but Vegas SP Brad Mills struck out the side to pull the Houdini. He wasn't as lucky in the 2nd as the Royals posted 4 runs on an Irving Falu RBI single, a 2-run Alex Gordon double and a Wilson Betemit RBI groundout. Omaha added 2 in the 3rd on back-to-back RBI doubles from Jordan Parraz and Jai Miller. Mills was pulled to start the 4th and Scott Thorman greeted RP Steven Register with his 6th homer of the season before Cody Clark singled in a run later in the inning to make it 8-0. Thorman singled home a run in the 5th and Luis Mendoza pitched well before giving up the 51s' only run in the 5th. Betemit took a bases-loaded walk in the 6th, Kurt Mertins hit an RBI forceout and Parraz doubled in another run to make it 12-1. Omaha polished it off with 3 in the 9th on a David Lough RBI double and 2-run Gordon double. Josh Rupe stranded 2 in the 9th. Mills allowed 6 ER over 3 IP to take the loss. Five 51s had a hit each, including LF Chris Lubanski. The O-Royals are 17-17. Gaby Hernandez starts Sunday's game 2.

AA - NWA: Springfield 5, Naturals 2

CF D. Robinson 2-3, HBP, RBI (8), RS, SB (21), E (3) -- .294
3B Moustakas 1-3, BB, RBI (22), 2 K -- .357
2B Giavotella 1-4, K -- .288
1B C. Robinson 0-4, K -- .262
RF Van Stratten 0-4, 2 K -- .287

Crow 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- L, 1-3, 4.75 ERA, hey at least Grant Green is only hitting .272 with a .672 OPS in the California League
Teaford 2 1/3 IP, ER, 5 H, 5 K -- 5.68 ERA

* Aaron Crow endured another kinda rough start as the Naturals continued to hit the skids. Crow stranded 2 in the 1st and had a quiet 2nd. Derrick Robinson hit an RBI single in the 3rd but Crow allowed 3 runs in the bottom of the inning on 3 hits, a walk and sac fly to make it 3-1 Cardinals. Mike Moustakas hit an RBI single in the 6th but NWA stranded 2. Crow stranded single runners in the 4th and 5th but gave up a run in the 6th to make it 4-2. Everett Teaford allowed a run in the 8th and the Naturals didn't threaten again. Starter Ryan Kulik got the win for Springfield with an unearned run allowed over 5 IP and RP Eduardo Sanchez notched his 8th save. Four Cards had multiple hits led by a 4-5 night from CF Adron Chambers, who drove in his 10th run. The Naturals are 21-13 and their division lead has sunk to 2 1/2 games. The series wraps Sunday afternoon.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Potomac 7, Blue Rocks 4

1B Hosmer 4-5, 2 2B (14), HR (2), RBI (26), 2 RS -- .405
3B Romak 1-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (20), RS, SB (2) -- .208, back in cleanup
DH Prasch 1-4, 2B (7), RBI (9), K -- .230
RF Ortiz 1-5, K -- .297
SS Navarro 0-4, K -- .195

Baez 3 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- L, 1-2, 5.22 ERA
Lafferty 3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 5.40 ERA
Keating IP, H, 2 K -- 1.29 ERA
De La Rosa IP, K -- 0.00 ERA, successful A-ball debut for Starling

* A 5-run inning was enough for the P-Nats. Wilmington scored first in the 2nd on an Eddie Prasch RBI double but stranded 2. Eric Hosmer hit a 2-out solo homer in the 3rd for his 2nd of the season to make it 2-0 Rocks. Manauris Baez had labored somewhat in the first 2 innings and then got shelled in the 3rd for 5 runs on 4 singles and a grand slam by 1B Tyler Moore. Jamie Romak hit a 2-run homer in the 5th for his 2nd of the season to cut it to 5-4. Brendan Lafferty gave up a run in the 7th before getting pulled, and Patrick Keating allowed an inherited runner to score to give the Nationals some insurance. They didn't need it as the Rocks didn't threaten again. Starter Marcos Frias got the win for Potomac with 4 ER allowed over 5 IP. Four P-Nats had multiple hits led by 3 hits each from RF Michael Burgess and 3B Tim Pahuta. Moore had 4 RBI (21). The Rocks are 15-21. Jairo Cuevas again missed a start. Tim Melville starts the series finale Sunday afternoon.

A - Burlington: Bees 4, Peoria 0 (5-hitter)

DH Lewis 2-3, RS -- .256
C Myers 1-4, HR (5), 2 RBI (24), RS, PB (10) -- .256
1B Graterol 1-3, RBI (6) -- .349
3B Frost 0-3, RBI (7) -- .268
CF Testa 1-3, 2B (6), K, RS -- .252

Lamb 7 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- W, 2-3, 1.57 ERA, nice
Odenbach IP, H -- 3.38 ERA
Dennick IP, BB, K -- 4.66 ERA

* John Lamb and 2 relievers combined on the shutout as the Bees finally solved the Peoria riddle. Juan Graterol hit an RBI single in the 2nd and Adam Frost added an RBI forceout to make it 2-0 Bees. Wil Myers slammed a 2-run homer for his 5th homer of the season in the 3rd. The Chiefs never had more than 1 hit in any inning as Lamb was on his game. Chiefs SP Su-Min Jung allowed 4 ER over 5 IP to take the loss. SS Hak-Ju Lee had 2 hits. The Bees are 13-23. The series wraps Sunday afternoon.