Royals on the Farm 6/30 -- June wrap

I'm gonna only do monthly breakdowns of the top 4 teams in June. For July I'll likely break them into 2 days. The report is already long enough without breaking down all 7 at once.

AAA - Omaha: off day

* Gonna have to keep it quickquick on the June wrapups, so I'm gonna do top 3s. OPS: Kila Ka'aihue 1.044 (.307/.472/.572, 48 RS, 15 2B, 14 HR, 50 RBI, 69 BB/48 K, 1 E in 63 G/215 ABs, criminal he's not in KC, "only" .276 BA with .918 OPS in June, tho); Alex Gordon 1.042 (.333/.454/.588, 46 RS, 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 39 BB/57 K, 6/7 SB in 52 G/204 ABs, makes nice pair with Kila, only .886 OPS in June); and Ed Lucas .945 (.331/.403/.542, 14 XBH, 15 BB/19 K in 35 G/118 ABs, .965 OPS in June as PT has expanded). Others...Scott Thorman .832 (only .322 OBP, 33 XBH, 18 BB/40 K in 255 ABs), Jordan Parraz .798 (.368 OBP, 25 XBH, 28 BB/41 K in 240 ABs), David Lough .743 (only .308 OBP, 10 BB/42 K in 271 ABs), Kurt Mertins .700, Irving Falu .655 (empty .279 BA, but 21 BB/24 K, easy team high 17 E in 330 ABs). WHIP: Blaine Hardy 1.00 (1.89 ERA, 2 SV, HRA, 6 BB/17 K in 19 IP, success has carried over to highest levels of minors); Bryan Bullington 1.09 (2.67 ERA, 7 HRA, 22 BB/50 K in 70 2/3 IP, June was his weakest month yet, tho); and Josh Rupe 1.13 (2.36 ERA, 8 BB/26 K in 26 2/3 IP). Others...Federico Castaneda 1.19 (17 BB/21 K in 36 IP), Phil Humber 1.24 (12 HRA, 12 BB/62 K in 90 2/3 IP, nice K/BB), Gaby Hernandez 1.41 (25 HRA!, 31 BB/59 K in 92 IP), Chris Hayes 1.48 (5 BB/8 K in 24 1/3 IP), Manauris Baez 1.66 (only 15 2/3 IP, 9 BB/5 K).

AA - NWA: all-star break

* 3B Mike Moustakas is 2-3 in the 6th, CF Derrick Robinson finished 1-3, DH Clint Robinson is 1-3, but did hit a solo homer in the 2nd, Tim Smith got a pinch hit, 2B Johnny Giavotella is 1-3, and RF Paulo Orlando is 1-1 with a sac fly, HBP, double and RBI, Mario Santiago K'd one over 1 1/3 hitless IP. SS Chris McConnell is 1-1 off the bench. Team leaders -- OPS: Mike Moustakas 1.072 (.336/.404/.668, 50 RS, 21 2B, 18 HR, 66 RBI, 23 BB/38 K, 12 E in 58 G/226 ABs, only .884 OPS in June, hit .291 in month); Clint Robinson .950 (.308/.392/.558, 28 2B, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 34 BB/46 K, 9 E in 73 G/276 ABs, hit .409 with 1.256 OPS in June, there's your hottest player in the organization); Tim Smith .845 (.299/.399/.446, 13 XBH, 25 BB/18 K, 8/10 SB in 50 G/157 ABs. Others...Paulo Orlando .831 (14 BB/30 K in 64 G), Nick Van Stratten .782 (20 BB/24 K in 198 ABs), Derrick Robinson .752 (.298 with .368 OBP, .692 OPS in June, 31 BB/58 K overall, 31/43 SB in 289 ABs), Manny Pina .734, Johnny Giavotella .728. WHIP: Louis Coleman 0.87 (2.09 ERA, 6 SV, 5 HRA, 14 BB/55 K in 51 2/3 IP, K rate and K/BB both good, only .159 OAV in June); Alex Caldera 1.06 (only 1 start tho); Edgar Osuna 1.10 (on DL, 2.59 ERA, 8 HRA, 9 BB/55 K in 80 IP); and Mike Montgomery 1.17 (hopefully can get healthy soon, 2.79 ERA, 1 HRA, 10 BB/25 K in 29 IP). Others...Patrick Keating 1.21 (HRA, 7 BB/12 K in 14 IP), Mario Santiago 1.27 (3.29 ERA, 22 BB/47 K in 79 1/3 IP), Brandon Sisk 1.30 (15 BB/40 K in 42 1/3 IP), Aaron Crow 1.63 (5.97 ERA, 10 HRA, 42 BB/60 K in 86 IP, this isn't what the Royals were drafting).

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

LF Ortiz 2-4, 3B (7), RBI (24), K, CS (10) -- .307
3B Romak 2-3, BB, K, SB (4), E (7) -- .296
SS Colon 0-4, 2 K, E -- .000
1B Hosmer 1-4, K -- .350

Melville 4 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- L, 2-9, 5.74 ERA
Thompson 4 IP, 2 H, 3 K -- 7.46 ERA
Barrera IP, BB, 2 K -- 5.14 ERA

* The Rocks offense staggered through a loss to Lynchburg. A Jamie Romak error helped the Hillcats get on the board in the 1st and Lynchburg added 2 in the 2nd off Tim Melville. Christian Colon's first pro error helped a run score in the 4th to make it 4-0 'Cats. Adrian Ortiz hit an RBI triple in the 8th but the Rocks couldn't get him home and that was their only scoring chance, really. Lynchburg SP James Avery pitched 6 scoreless innings to improve to 4-2. 3B Jose Gualdron had 3 hits for Lynchburg. The Rocks are 4-3 and 1 game out. Chris Dwyer pitches game 2 Thursday. Wilmington's tops in OPS: Eric Hosmer .953 (.351/.425/.528, 41 RS, 26 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 43 RBI, 38 BB/30 K, 10/11 SB, 7 E in 75 G/282 ABs, hit .355 with 1.011 OPS in June, more walks than K in each month); Jamie Romak .823 (.292/.380/.443, 35 RS, 21 2B, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 33 BB/55 K in 75 G/271 ABs, hit .407 with 1.129 OPS in June, 13 2B in the month); and Adrian Ortiz .739 (.305/.338/.401, 42 RS, 12 2B, 6 3B, 15 BB/44 K, 20/29 SB in 68 G/279 ABs, hit .371 with .864 OPS in June, whopping 2 walks in the month, this is probably his ceiling, don't you think?). Others...Nick Francis .681 (10 2B, 5 BB/30 K in 111 ABs, wow, Ktastic), Salvador Perez .666 (only .294 OBP, 11 BB/18 K in 53 G/188 ABs), Patrick Norris .656 (14/26 SB, cut-rate Ortiz #s all around, tho he does have more BB, in 69 G/260 ABs), Rey Navarro .600 (11 E, .269 OBP, 5 BB/16 K in 178 ABs, and we gave up a decent young RP to get him!). WHIP: Eric Basurto 1.13 (2.81 ERA, 9 BB/22 K in 16 IP); Buddy Baumann 1.16 (1.97 ERA, 4 SV, 18 BB/50 K in 45 2/3 IP, some good starts lately); and John Lamb 1.18 (1.77 ERA, 1 HRA, 13 BB/55 K in 45 2/3 IP, so far so good for Lamb). Others...Brendan Lafferty 1.29 (9 BB/28 K in 31 2/3 IP), Chris Dwyer 1.31 (3 HRA, 31 BB/84 K in 78 1/3 IP, looking solid), Tim Melville 1.43 (7 HRA, 34 BB/67 K in 74 1/3 IP, just a half-step behind rest of frontline prospects in Wilmington, June was best month yet tho).

A - Burlington: Bees 5, Peoria 4

RF Oriental 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (31), K -- .244
LF Testa 1-4, RBI (27), 2 K, RS, 2 SB (7) -- .262
C Bonilla 0-4, RBI (11), K -- .213
1B Lewis 0-3, BB, RS -- .254
DH Del Rosario 0-2, BB, K -- .190

Sample 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 6 K -- W, 3-4, 4.05 ERA
Hodge 1 2/3 IP, ER, BB, WP -- 6.11 ERA
Dennick 1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- SV, 3, 4.73 ERA

* A 3-run 1st helped propel the Bees to their 2nd win of the second half. The Bees loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st and Rene Oriental hit a 2-run single and Joey Lewis scored on an error to make it 3-0. Jose Bonilla hit an RBI groundout in the 3rd to make it 4-0 Bees. Tyler Sample had a quiet first 3 innings but allowed 2 runs in the 4th and then another run in the 5th to cut the lead to 1. Carlo Testa hit an RBI single in the 7th for an insurance run for Burlington and it came in handy as Mitch Hodge and Ryan Dennick allowed a run in the 8th. Dennick pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 3rd save. Starter Ryan Searle took the loss for Peoria with 4 runs (2 ER) allowed over 5 IP to drop to 4-2. LF Greg Rohan and 2B Matt Cerda had 2 hits for the Chiefs. The Bees are 2-4. A 3-game home set with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (4-2, A Brewers) starts Thursday. The Bees' top of the hive...OPS: Wil Myers .908 (.289/.408/.500, 42 RS, 19 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 45 RBI, 48 BB/55 K, 10/13 SB, 4 E in 68 G/242 ABs, broke 1.000 OPS at 1.032 in June, more walks than Ks in both May and June); Carlo Testa .807 (.262/.336/.471, 38 RS, 14 2B, 8 3B, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 28 BB/68 K, 7/12 SB in 68 G/244 ABs, .770 OPS in June was worst month yet, kind of a slumpy month for Carlo); and Joey Lewis .739 (.254/.335/.405, 30 RS, 18 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 31 BB/75 K, 10 E in 68 G/252 ABs, .351 OBP in June). Others...Gerard Hall .649 (20 E, 18 2B), Jose Bonilla .600 (18 BB/29 K in 122 ABs), Hilton Richardson .572 (only hitting .194, 17 BB/51 K, 21/24 SB tho in 211 ABs), Fernando Cruz .539 (11 E). WHIP: Bryan Paukovits 0.95 (even tho he's in Wilmington, 3.32 ERA, 5 HRA, 16 BB/65 K in 62 1/3 IP, earned the call), Rodolfo Encarnacion 1.30 (5.33 ERA, 1 HRA, 12 BB/20 K in 25 1/3 IP), and Ryan Dennick 1.39 (4.73 ERA, 2 HRA, 9 BB/23 K in 32 1/3 IP). Others...Tyler Sample 1.45 (4 HRA, 53 BB/63 K in 73 1/3 IP, wow on the walks), Dusty Odenbach 1.60 (4 HRA, 21 BB/41 K in 40 2/3 IP), Sam Runion and Keaton Hayenga are still both over 2.00.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 4, Casper 2

DH Watts 2-3, BB, RBI (10) -- .303
LF Ferguson 2-4, K, RS, picked off -- .313, OF assists at second and home
1B Kuebler 1-4, RBI (7), K, RS, CS (2) -- .308
2B Zebroski 1-4, RBI (4) -- .357
3B Culver 0-2, S, RBI (2) -- .192
SS Trapp 0-3, S -- .276
PR-DH Monger 0-0, 2 SB (4), RS -- .438, now that's a pinch runner
C David 0-3, K, E, PB (3) -- .250

S. De La Rosa 5 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- 4.00 ERA
Garrido 3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- BS, 1, W, 1-0, 2.25 ERA
Rivers IP, H, K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

* A 2-run 7th turned around the win for Idaho Falls. Murray Watts hit an RBI single in the 1st and Starling De La Rosa stranded 2 in the 3rd. Santiago Garrido took the ball in the 6th and allowed 2 runs to give the Ghosts a 2-1 lead. Tom Zebroski tied it with an RBI single in the 7th and Malcom Culver squeezed home a run to give the Royals the lead. Jake Kuebler hit an RBI single in the 9th for some insurance. Alex Rivera pitched the 9th for his 1st save of the season. RP Christian Bergman took the loss with 2 ER over 3 IP to drop to 0-1. Starter Bruce Kern allowed an ER over 4 IP. Three Ghosts had 2 hits. The Chukars are 4-6. Game 3 is Thursday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 7, Bluefield 2

2B Piterson 2-4, GS (3), 5 RBI (10), 2 RS -- .517, el gigante on Wednesday, bucking for call to A-ball
1B Stovall 2-4, RBI (9) -- .333
SS McClure 2-4, E (3) -- .233
CF Llanos 1-3, BB, K, 2 RS, SB (4) -- .250
DH Baldwin 0-3, BB, K -- .100
C Jenkins 1-4, 2B (3), RS -- .222

Avinazar 5 IP, UER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Worrell 2 IP, nada -- 1.59 ERA
Byrne 2 IP, ER, H, 3 K, HRA -- 1.50 ERA

* The B-Royals ripped the O's again to take the series. Willian Avinazar escaped with the bases full in the 1st and Luis Piterson, who has been the stud of rookie ball thus far for the organization, cranked a grand salami in the 3rd for his 3rd homer of the year to make it 4-0 B-Royals. Avinazar allowed a run in the 4th but the Royals scored 3 in the 5th on a Piterson RBI single, a Ryan Stovall RBI single and Derek Rodriguez steal of home. Chas Byrne served up a solo homer in the 9th but that was it. Bluefield SP David Baker allowed 7 ER over 4 1/3 IP to fall to 0-1. The O's only had 3 hits. Burlington is 4-5 and 2 games out. The series shifts to Bluefield (3-6) for 3 starting Thursday. C Drew Robertson is being moved up to help shore up the catching in A Burlington.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals' 6-4 win stood up over the Reds Tuesday.

The Royals are up, 4-2, on the M's in the 6th

CF Conner 1-2, BB, 2 RBI (3), K, CS -- .261
C Shin 1-1, 2 BB, HR, RBI (3), 2 RS -- .375, first pro HR
3B Soto 1-2, S, RBI, K -- .200
DH Costa 0-3 -- .000, from out of nowhere, BOOM, Shane Costa
1B Furmanek 1-2, BB, 2B -- .500
LF Sandford 1-3, K, RS, SB (2) -- .364

Martin 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 8 K -- 4.50 ERA, nice start for Brennon thus far

* The Royals are in position for another win as the late innings ensue. Brennon Martin allowed a run in the 1st but recovered to have a solid start. Jin-Ho Shin hit his first U.S. homer in the 4th but Martin helped give the run back in the bottom of the inning. Cameron Conner hit a 2-run single in the 5th and Victor Soto singled in a run in the 6th to make it 4-2 Royals. More to come in tomorrow's report.

Royals on the Farm 6/29 -- Colon debuts with 0-fer

Woo-hoo! Royals draftee Whit Merrifield had the national championship-winning hit in tonight's game 2 of the CWS title series for South Carolina. Let's carry that kind of performance over to your pro career, Whit. Nice job throughout the CWS. Plus some face time postgame tonight.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, Oklahoma City 0

DH Thorman 2-4, HR (13), 3 RBI (46), RS -- .275, man, he's keeping it up with the bat
SS Mertins 2-4, 3B (2), HR (4), 2 RBI (19), RS -- .243
C Bellorin 2-4, K -- .164
LF Lough 1-5, K, 2 RS -- .273
1B Ka'aihue 0-4 -- .307, BA slipping, slipping
2B Lucas 1-4 -- .331
RF Parraz 1-4, K, OF assist at home -- .267

Baez 6 IP, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 4.02 ERA, Manauris gets first AAA win in style, just ignore the BB/K
Herges IP, nothing -- 4.71 ERA
B. Hardy 1 1/3 IP, H, 2 K -- 1.89 ERA, I predict he's the next O-Royal to get the call
Rupe 2/3 IP, 2 H, K, WP -- 2.36 ERA

* Manauris Baez led four Omaha pitchers in an 8-hit shutout of the RedHawks. Kurt Mertins slammed a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 4th of the season to get Omaha a 2-run lead before the Royals made an out. RF Jordan Parraz kept the shutout intact early with an OF assist at the plate to end the 2nd. Scott Thorman put 3 more runs up with one swing of the bat in the 5th as his 3-run homer (his 13th) made it 5-0 Omaha. Baez stranded 2 in the 6th and handed it off to the bullpen in the 7th. Josh Rupe left 2 in scoring position in the 9th. RedHawks SP Elizardo Ramirez allowed 5 runs (4 ER) over 5 IP to drop to 4-3 with a 5.53 ERA. C Jarrod Saltalamacchia and DH Ryan Garko had 2 hits for OKC. The Royals are 41-36. Omaha has Wednesday off.

AA - NWA: all-star break

* The Nats-driven TL North team takes on the TL South Wednesday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Frederick 2

LF Ortiz 4-5, 2B (12), HR, 2 RBI (23), RS -- .305
2B Navarro 2-3, HBP, 2B (5), RBI (19), RS, SB (4) -- .242
3B Romak 2-4, picked off, E (6) -- .292
RF Francis 2-4, K, RS, SB (2) -- .261
1B Hosmer 0-2, 2 BB, K, picked off -- .351
SS Colon 0-5, 2 K -- .000, can only go up from here, right?
C S. Perez 0-3, BB -- .255

Lamb 4 IP, UER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, E (2), WP -- 1.77 ERA
Hodgson 4 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 4-6, 4.97 ERA
Mozingo 1/3 IP, H -- SV, 2, 4.71 ERA

* Christian Colon's debut probably wasn't as he hoped but the Rocks did get the win. Colon's first pro AB, you ask? Grounded into a 5-4-3 DP. The Keys used a John Lamb error to score a run in the 1st but Lamb struck out the side after a leadoff single in the 2nd. Adrian Ortiz clubbed a 2-run homer in the 3rd for his 1st of the season to give Wilmington a 2-1 lead. Colon followed with a K in his 2nd AB. Lamb got 2 key Ks with the bases loaded to finish out the 3rd and Rey Navarro hit an RBI double in the 4th to make it 3-1 Rocks. In Colon watch, he grounded out in his 3rd AB in the 5th. A 7th inning Colon forceout ended the inning and he K'd to end the Rocks 9th. Ivor Hodgson stranded 2 in the 8th and Harold Mozingo allowed an RBI single in the 9th before closing it out for his 2nd save. Keys SP Oliver Drake allowed 3 ER over 7 IP to fall to 2-3. RF Ronnie Welty and 3B Billy Rowell had 2 hits for Frederick. Rowell also had 2 errors (19). The Rocks are 4-2. Tim Melville starts the first of 3 at home Wednesday versus the Lynchburg Hillcats (4-2, A-Adv. Reds).

A - Burlington: Bees 5, Peoria 3

RF Oriental 2-4, 2 RBI (29), K, RS, OF assist at first -- .243
3B F. Cruz 2-4, 2B (8), RBI (11) -- .232
DH Aparicio 1-4, RBI, K, RS, CS -- .250
C Myers 0-3, BB, RS -- .289
1B Lewis 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS -- .257
LF Testa 0-4, 2 K -- .263

Odenbach 5 IP, 2 H, 4 K, WP -- W, 3-5, 5.09 ERA, between he and Baumann, the relievers are inheriting the rotation
Encarnacion 2 IP, ER, H, BB, 2 K -- 5.33 ERA
Sirrett 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, HRA -- 5.71 ERA
Runion 1 1/3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 1, 8.31 ERA, wow, nice outing

* A 4-run 3rd was the key to the Bees' first win of the second half. The Bees left the bases full in the 2nd but loaded 'em up again with no outs in the 3rd before Rene Oriental hit a 2-run single, Fernando Cruz singled in a run and Julio Aparicio hit an RBI forceout to make it 4-0. Aparicio scored on an error in the 6th and, after Dusty Odenbach retired the last 8 he faced, Rodolfo Encarnacion lost the shutout with a run in the 7th. Onassis Sirrett gave up a solo homer in the 8th and then allowed another run before escaping the inning with a 1-run lead. Sam Runion was lockdown (did I just write that?) for the last 4 outs for his 1st save of the season. Peoria SP Nick Struck allowed 4 runs (2 ER) over 4 IP to drop to 2-8. 2B Matt Cerda had 2 hits for the Chiefs. The Bees are 1-4. C Juan Graterol was put on the DL with a fractured hamate bone (think that's a hand/wrist bone?).

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 9, Chukars 1

SS Trapp 2-4, K, CS (2), E (2) -- .308
3B C. Figueroa 2-3, E (2) -- .333
C David 2-3 -- .294
DH Watts 1-4, HR (3), RBI (9), RS -- .267
LF Ferguson 1-4 -- .286

Alexander 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 0-2, 6.23 ERA
Graffeo 1 1/3 IP, 4 UER, 3 H, BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- 4.50 ERA
Graham 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 2.57 ERA

* The Chukars offense couldn't generate any runs as the Ghosts coasted to the win. The Chukars loaded the bases with 1 out in the 3rd but left 'em loaded. They would only strand 3 in the other 8 innings combined. Casper smacked Scott Alexander around for 3 runs in the 4th and 2 in the 5th as a Nick Graffeo wild pitch allowed 1 of the runs in to make it 5-0 Ghosts. Casper added a 2-run triple in the 6th as part of a 4-run rally to make it 9-0. Murray Watts led off the 7th with his 3rd homer of the season to account for the Chukars' only run. Starter Tyler Gagnon pitched 6 scoreless frames to get his first win for Casper this season. 1B Jordan Ballard and DH Robert De La Cruz each had 3 hits and LF Corey Dickerson had 2 hits. IF is 3-6.

Rookie - Burlington: Bluefield 5, B-Royals 1

CF Llanos 1-4, RBI (4), K -- .242
2B Piterson 0-4, K -- .520
3B Stovall 0-3, BB -- .304
1B Baldwin 1-4, K, E (5) -- .111
SS McClure 0-3, K -- .192

Giovenco 4 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, BB, 6 K, E, pickoff -- L, 0-2, 4.91 ERA
Bavera 2 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 K, balk -- 0.00 ERA
Mazur 2 1/3 IP, 2 UER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 3.38 ERA

* The Royals only managed 3 hits in the loss to the O's. Bluefield plated 2 in the 3rd and Edul Escobar doubled and scored in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead in half. The Orioles scored another run in the 4th off Mike Giovenco and the Royals didn't have a hit after the 4th. Burlington stranded 2 in the 9th and the Orioles added 2 late runs. Orioles starter Angel Cespedes went 8 IP of an UER allowed to move to 2-0. RF Luis Ramirez had 3 hits for Bluefield and three others had 2 hits.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals scored 3 in the 9th to beat the Cubs Monday. A throwing error scored the first run in the 9th, Jose Rodriguez tied it with an RBI groundout and Jarrod Dyson hit a walkoff single. Dyson ended up with 3 hits.

The Royals are up, 6-4, on the Reds in the 8th

CF Dyson 2-4, 3B, 3 RBI (6), K, RS, OF assist at home -- .542, think he's ready to move up
DH Conner 2-3, K, RS -- .238
SS Mateo 1-4, RBI (3), K, E (6) -- .231
1B Moreno 2-4, 2B (5), RBI (8), K, 2 E (3) -- .464
3B Cuthbert 1-4, 2B, K, RS -- .231
C Shin 1-4, K -- .286
LF Blanco 0-2, S, SF, RBI (3), RS -- .227
2B Liberto 0-2, S, RS -- .182

Pimentel IP, ER, H, 2 BB -- 8.10 ERA
Y. Ventura 5 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA
Sanchez 2/3 IP, 2 H, K -- 0.00 ERA

* The Royals came back to take a 3-run lead but are fighting off the Reds in the 7th. Julio Pimentel had another rocky rehab outing as he allowed a run in his inning of work. Yordano Ventura endured 2 errors as the Reds added another run in the 2nd. Jarrod Dyson hit an RBI single in the 3rd and Henry Moreno hit an RBI double in the 4th to tie it. Dyson slapped a 2-run triple to break the tie in the 7th and Daniel Mateo followed with an RBI groundout to make it 5-2 Royals. Ventura was pulled with 2 on and 1 out in the 7th and Jose Sanchez allowed 2 runs before Dyson ended the rally with an OF assist at the plate. Jerico Blanco hit a sac fly in the 8th. I'll bring you the thrilling conclusion tomorrow, if there is a thrilling one. It may be a boring conclusion. Starter Jonathan Correa allowed 2 runs (1 ER) over 4 IP. Two Reds had 2 hits.

Royals on the Farm 6/28 -- Dan Duffy sighting in AZL

AAA - Omaha: Oklahoma City 4, O-Royals 3

1B Ka'aihue 2-3, BB, 2B (15) -- .313
DH Miller 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI (34), 2 K, CS (2) -- .232
SS Falu 1-4, RBI (23) -- .279
CF Lough 0-4, K -- .274
LF Gordon 0-3, HBP, 2 K -- .333
2B Lucas 0-2, 2 BB, RS -- .333
RF Parraz 1-4, RS -- .267

Humber 7 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, 3 K -- 4.37 ERA
Holland IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 5.01 ERA
Rupe 1/3 IP, ER, H, HRA -- BS, 1, L, 1-2, 2.42 ERA

* A thriller of a 9th inning ended with Omaha on the losing end of the scoreboard. Omaha stranded 2 in the 1st and Oklahoma City took the lead in the 4th. Irving Falu singled home a run in the 5th but Phil Humber gave the lead right back to OKC in the bottom of the inning. The 2-1 lead held into the 9th before Jai Miller ripped a big 2-run triple to turn the lead around. Josh Rupe had 1 on with 1 out in the 9th when C Kevin Richardson ended it abruptly with a 2-run walkoff homer for his 3rd of the season. RP Pedro Strop blew his 4th save but picked up the win with 2 ER over 2/3 IP to move to 1-1. Starter Tanner Scheppers pitched 4 scoreless innings. RF Mitch Moreland and LF Brandon Boggs had 3 hits for the RedHawks. Omaha is 40-36. Manauris Baez starts Tuesday's series finale.

AA - NWA: Arkansas 4, Naturals 3

CF D. Robinson 2-4, 2B (13), RBI (28), K -- .298
1B C. Robinson 2-4, HR (13), RBI (51), RS -- .308
RF Orlando 1-4, RBI (28), SB (14) -- .313
3B Moustakas 1-4, K, RS -- .336
LF Smith 0-1, 3 BB, RS, E (3) -- .299
PH Giavotella 0-1 -- .278

Swaggerty IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB -- L, 2-4, 4.94 ERA
R. Hardy 3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, pickoff -- 5.02 ERA
B. Johnson 2 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K -- 5.90 ERA
Keating 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 1.93 ERA

* A late Naturals comeback was not to be Monday. Nobody had reached base before the Travelers struck for 3 in the 2nd on 3 walks and 2 hits off Ben Swaggerty and Rowdy Hardy. Clint Robinson broke the deadlock for NWA with a solo homer in the 4th for his 13th of the season but Arkansas got the run back in the bottom of the 4th. Derrick Robinson hit an RBI double in the 8th and Paulo Orlando singled in a run in the 9th to trim the lead to 1 with runners at the corners and 0 out. The Nats loaded the bases with 2 outs but Johnny Giavotella hit a pinch-hit flyout to end it. RP Taylor Wilding worked 3 2/3 IP with 1 ER allowed to move to 3-4. Starter Daniel Cabrera allowed an ER over 4 IP. 1B Efren Navarro had 3 hits with a walk and RBI. C Roberto Lopez had 2 hits with 2 RS. NWA is 4-2. Louis Coleman was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week after 6 2/3 scoreless innings of work. Chris McConnell was named to the all-star team as an injury replacement. Wow. He's hitting .245 with 1 HR and 24 RBI. I think the Texas League needs to start combining for 1 all-star team and play the Southern League or something. Play an Indy league all-star team. The two-day TL all-star break starts tomorrow.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Frederick 3 (11)

RF Romak 2-3, BB, HBP, 2 2B (21), 2 RBI (47), K, 2 RS -- .288
C S. Perez 1-5, RBI (24) -- .259
DH Walton 0-4, BB, RBI (16), 3 K -- .194
LF Ortiz 0-5 -- .296
1B Hosmer 0-3, 2 BB, RS -- .354

Baumann 5 IP, ER, 6 H, 4 K -- 1.97 ERA
Cuevas 4 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, K, HRA -- BS, 1, 7.58 ERA
Basurto 2 IP, BB, 5 K, pickoff -- W, 1-0, 2.81 ERA

* The Rocks blew the lead late but came back to win in 11. Jamie Romak doubled in 2 runs to stake Buddy Baumann to a 2-run lead before he took the mound. Baumann allowed a run in the 3rd but the Rocks got the run back in the 6th on a Jamar Walton RBI groundout. Jairo Cuevas allowed a run in the 7th and then had the Keys down to their last out before pinch hitter Jacob Julius hit his 7th homer to tie the game. Romak doubled with 2 out in the 11th and Salvador Perez came through with a clutch RBI single to put the Rocks ahead. Eric Basurto struck out the side in the 11th for the win. RP Sean Gleason allowed an ER over 3 2/3 IP to fall to 1-4. Starter Ryan Berry allowed 2 ER over 5 IP. CF Kyle Hudson and RF Ronnie Welty had 2 hits for the Keys. The Rocks are 3-2. John Lamb was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week after a stellar start versus Salem. He starts Tuesday's series finale.

A - Burlington: Peoria 3, Bees 1

DH Myers 1-4, RBI (45), K -- .293
CF Testa 0-3, K -- .267
1B Lewis 0-2, BB, K -- .260
LF Del Rosario 0-2, BB, picked off -- .211

Wooley 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, balk, pickoff -- 6.93 ERA, good start for naught
Kelley 1/3 IP, ER, H, BB -- L, 0-2, 4.89 ERA
Dennick 1 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K, HRA -- 4.94 ERA

* The Bees' woes continued as the offense managed only 3 hits in the loss. Peoria drew 2 walks to help scratch out a run off Nick Wooley in the 1st but he would only allow 4 hits and a walk thereafter. Wil Myers tied it with an RBI single in the 4th as 2 of the Bees' 3 hits came in one inning. Wooley's standout night was done after 7 strong and Scott Kelley allowed a run in the 8th. Ryan Dennick allowed a solo homer in the 9th for an insurance run for the Chiefs. The Bees' other hit came in the 5th. RP Ronny Morla pitched 2 scoreless to improve to 2-2. Starter Jeffry Antigua allowed an ER over 6 IP. CF Jae-Hoon Ha had 2 hits for the Chiefs, including his 2nd homer. The Bees are 0-4.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 7, Orem 1

1B Kuebler 3-5, K, 3 RS, SB (2) -- .355
2B Zebroski 2-5, 2 RBI (3) -- .400
LF Ferguson 2-4, S, K, RS -- .292
SS Espinal 2-5, BB, RBI (5), 2 K, picked off -- .323
C Cornstubble 2-4, BB, RBI (2), K -- .625
3B Culver 1-4, BB, RBI, 2 SB, K, 2 RS -- .208
RF Monger 1-4, HBP, 2B (3), RBI (2), K, RS, SB (2) -- .438
IF stranded 13.

Mariot 7 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 2.45 ERA, first pro win comes in great start, looks promising
Peacock IP, BB -- 0.00 ERA, IF debut
Morizio IP, H, BB, K, WP -- 0.00 ERA

* Mike Mariot had a good start and the Chukars rode it to the win over the Owlz. Malcom Culver hit an RBI forceout and Tom Zebroski singled in a run before Yowill Espinal took a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0 Chukars in the 2nd. Cameron Monger doubled in a run in the 3rd and Zebroski hit an RBI single to make it 5-0. For the second inning in a row, they left the bases full. Dale Cornstubble drove in a run with a 5th inning single and Jake Kuebler scored on an error in the 6th. Orem got its only run off Mariot in the 7th as he carried a 1-hitter into the inning. Matt Morizio stranded 2 in the 9th following a successful Chukars debut from Brian Peacock in the 8th. Starter Josh Blanco allowed 5 ER over 2 1/3 IP to drop to 0-2. 3B Thomas Nichols had 2 hits and the Owlz had 5 errors in the game. IF is 3-5. A 4-game set at the Casper Ghosts (5-3, Rookie Rockies) starts Tuesday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 9, Bluefield 1

2B Piterson 3-3, HBP, 2B (3), HR (2), 3 RBI (5), 3 RS, SB (3), E (3) -- .619, all about the 3s Monday
LF MacDougall 2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI (5), K, RS -- .182
CF Llanos 2-4, 2 2B (4), 2 K, 3 RS, SB (3) -- .241
1B Baldwin 1-4, 2 RBI (4), K, 2 E (4) -- .087
3B Stovall 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (3), 2 RS, SB (4) -- .350
SS McClure 0-4, 3 K -- .217
DH Jenkins 0-4 -- .214

L. Santiago 6 IP, H, BB, 6 K -- W, 2-0, 2.45 ERA, great start
Penny IP, BB -- 16.88 ERA
Keck 2 IP, UER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

* Leonel Santiago dominated the Orioles and the B-Royals cruised to the win. Santiago stranded 2 in the 1st and the Royals got all they needed with 3 runs on a Luis Piterson RBI double, a run-scoring wild pitch and Geoff Baldwin RBI groundout. Piterson went long in the 3rd for his 2nd homer of the season for a 2-run shot to make it 5-0 Burlington. Gabe MacDougall added a 2-run double in the 5th. Santiago retired the last 15 he faced and MacDougall added an RBI double in the 7th with Baldwin supplementing it with an RBI single to make it 9-0. Jonathon Keck allowed a run in the 8th but that was all Bluefield could do. O's SP Jarrett Martin allowed 7 runs (4 ER) over 4 2/3 IP to drop to 0-2. The O's only had 2 hits. The Royals are 3-4. Seth Furmanek was moved to AZL to get some catching time in.

Rookie - AZL: Royals and Cubs are tied at 3 late, check that, Cubs up, 5-3

CF Dyson 2-3, 2B, K, OF assist at third -- .556
C Marquez 2-3 -- .500
RF Alcantara 1-3, HR, 3 RBI (4), K, RS -- .182
3B Cuthbert 1-3, RS, 3 E (4) -- .238
LF Blanco 1-3, K -- .211

Duffy 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K, balk -- 13.50 ERA, probably not the debut he wanted
Yambati 4 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 7 K, 2 WP -- 0.93 ERA
R. Brown 1 2/3 IP, UER, H, 2 BB, K, E -- 0.00 ERA
Rogers 1/3 IP, 2 UER, 2 H, 2 K, WP -- 6.75 ERA

* Thus far, an Ysmelin Alcantara 3-run dinger is the only thing keeping the Royals in the game. The homer gave the Royals a 3-2 lead in the 6th but the Cubs tied it in the 7th and are ahead with 2 in the 8th. I'll go over how it ended up tomorrow. The big news was Danny Duffy's season debut, altho he allowed an ER in 2/3 of an inning. At least he's back on the mound. He'll round into shape.

Royals on the Farm 6/27

AAA - Omaha: Oklahoma City 9, O-Royals 3

1B Thorman 3-4, 2B (19) -- .275
DH Ka'aihue 1-4, HR (14), 2 RBI (50), RS -- .308
LF Gordon 1-4, 2B (15), RBI (36), K, RS -- .338
CF Lough 1-2, S, HBP, RS -- .279
2B Lucas 0-4, 2 K -- .339

Hernandez 5 1/3 IP, 8 ER, 12 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 4 HRA -- L, 5-5, 6.16 ERA, blammo
Herges 2/3 IP, ER, H, 3 BB -- 4.83 ERA
Hayes 2 IP, nothing -- 3.70 ERA, has righted the ship of late

* Gaby Hernandez got pounded for 12 hits, including 4 longballs, and Omaha dropped another game to the RedHawks. Omaha stranded 2 in the 3rd and the RedHawks scored 2 in the bottom of the inning. A 2-run homer in the 4th made it 4-0 OKC but Alex Gordon doubled in a run before Kila Ka'aihue went deep for a 2-run homer for his 14th of the season to cut the lead to 1 in the 5th. OKC DH Chad Tracy took Hernandez out for the third inning in a row with a 2-run homer in the 5th to make it 6-3 RedHawks. Another 2 run homer in the 6th resulted in Hernandez finally getting pulled with Omaha down, 8-3. The RedHawks added a run in the 7th and Omaha couldn't cut into the lead. Starter Guillermo Moscoso allowed 3 ER over 7 IP to improve to 4-2. Tracy was 3-3 with 3 HR (14) and 5 RBI (46). CF Craig Gentry also had 3 hits and 2 others had 2 hits. Omaha is 40-35. Phil Humber starts game 3 Monday.

AA - NWA: Naturals 6, Arkansas 3

DH Mejia 3-4, 2B (15), HR (9), 3 RBI (43), 2 RS -- .270
RF Van Stratten 2-4, RS, OF assist at second -- .303
C Howell 1-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI (20), K -- .239
SS McConnell 1-4, HR, RBI (24), K, RS -- .245
CF-RF Orlando 1-5, 2 K -- .314
2B Giavotella 0-4 -- .279
3B Moustakas 0-4, K -- .338
1B C. Robinson 1-4, K, RS -- .305
LF Anthony Seratelli had an OF assist at first.

Paulino 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 4 WP -- W, 6-3, 4.02 ERA
Sisk 2 IP, ER, H, 2 K -- 2.98 ERA

* The Naturals continued their ownership of the 2010 Diamond Series with their intrastate rivals. Arkansas jumped to a 2-0 lead early off Eduardo Paulino but also suffered a key loss as SP Trevor Reckling left with an arm injury in the 2nd. Ernesto Mejia and Chris McConnell went yard for their 9th and 1st homer(s) of the season, respectively, to tie the game in the 3rd, and the Naturals added 4 in the 4th on a 2-run Mejia single and 2-run Jeff Howell double to make it 6-2. Brandon Sisk allowed a run in the 9th but finished the victory for Paulino. RP Andrew Taylor allowed 4 ER over 4 IP to fall to 0-1. Reckling had 3 Ks in 1 1/3 IP before leaving. LF Jeremy Moore had 3 hits in the losing effort. NWA is 4-1. The series ends Monday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Frederick 10, Blue Rocks 3

LF Ortiz 2-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI (21), 2 K -- .301
C Theriot 1-4, RBI (6), RS, 2 PB (3), E (6) -- .266
1B Hosmer 1-3, BB, K -- .357, ejected in 8th
CF Patrick Norris had an OF assist at first.

Paukovits 2 2/3 IP, 9 R (8 ER), 10 H, 3 K, WP -- L, 0-1, 27.00 ERA, kaboom
Lafferty 3 2/3 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K -- 3.94 ERA
Barrera 2 IP, BB, 4 K -- 6.00 ERA

* Bryan Paukovits was given a rude welcome to A-Advanced ball by the Keys Sunday. They kicked in the door with 3 runs in the 1st and then gave him a swirly with 6 runs in the 3rd to race to a 9-0 lead. A run in the 5th off Brendan Lafferty was just gravy. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 6th and 8th (Eric Hosmer struck out looking to end the 8th and got ejected for arguing) and finally broke through in the 9th as Ben Theriot hit an RBI single and Adrian Ortiz drove in 2 runs with another single. The Rocks stranded 2. Keys SP Ryan O'Shea pitched 6 scoreless innings with 6 K to improve to 5-3. 1B Joseph Mahoney had 3 hits and 3 RBI (47) with 2 RS and 4 other Keys had 2 hits, including rehabbing OF Felix Pie. The Rocks are 2-2. Buddy Baumann and Jairo Cuevas will piggyback Monday's game.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 6, Bees 3

LF Testa 2-3, BB, HR (7), 2 RBI (26), 2 RS, E (3) -- .270
RF Oriental 1-4, RBI (27) -- .238
DH Myers 1-4, BB, 2B (19), 2 K, RS, SB (10) -- .294
1B Lewis 0-3, BB, K -- .262
CF Hilton Richardson had an OF assist at second.

Marimon 5 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- L, 1-2, 10.80 ERA
Hodge IP, ER, 4 H -- 6.15 ERA
Runion 2 IP, ER, H -- 8.85 ERA

* Wisconsin pulled away late to sweep the Bees. The Bees left the bases full in the 1st and Wisconsin scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd off of Sugar Ray Marimon. Marimon settled down and the Bees tied it in the 6th on RBI singles by Carlo Testa and Rene Oriental. Marimon and Mitch Hodge gave up 3 runs in the 6th as the Rattlers regained control. The Rattlers added a run in the 7th and a Testa solo homer (his 7th) in the 8th was all the Bees could add. T-Rats SP Del Howell allowed 2 ER over 6 IP to improve to 1-2. LF Khristopher Davis and 3B Cutter Dykstra had 2 hits for Wisconsin. The Bees are 0-3. A 3-game home set with the Peoria Chiefs (1-1 going into Sunday, A Cubs) starts tomorrow.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 11, Chukars 1

LF Monger 3-4, 2B (2), RS -- .500
CF Beltre 2-4, CS -- .429
SS Trapp 0-4, 3 K -- .273
1B Watts 0-4, 3 K -- .269

Perez 4 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 10 H, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 HRA, E -- L, 1-1, 6.00 ERA
Blauer IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, BB, 2 K -- 9.00 ERA
Lowery 2 IP, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA
Graham IP, H, 2 K -- 3.60 ERA

* Orem was consistent in beating the pulp out of Leondy Perez and Chad Blauer Sunday. Perez gave up a solo homer in the 1st and then another run in the 2nd to make it 2-0 Owlz. A double-play ball got Idaho Falls on the board in the 3rd but the Owlz got 2 runs in the 3rd to pull back away. CF Travis Witherspoon smacked his 2nd homer of the game for a 2-run shot in the 4th as he had 5 RBI off Perez. Blauer came on for the 5th and proceeded to give up 5 runs including a 3-run triple to who else, Witherspoon, as he was a 1-man wrecking crew for Orem. IF left the bases full in the 9th. RP Brian Diemer worked 2 scoreless innings to improve to 2-0. Starter Carmine Giardina allowed an ER over 4 IP. Witherspoon was 4-5 with the triple, 2 HR (4), 7 RBI (13) and 3 RS. 1B Nick Farnsworth was 3-3 and three other Owlz had 2 hits. The Chukars are 2-6. Devon Lowery has been promoted to IF along with P Brian Peacock from the AZL. The series wraps up Monday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 10, Pulaski 5

3B Stovall 3-5, 2 2B, HR (2), 4 RBI (8), 2 K, RS, E -- .333
SS McClure 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI (3), RS, CS, E (2) -- .263
DH Furmanek 3-3, 2 HBP, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 RS -- .467, nice game for NDFA
CF Llanos 2-6, 2B (2), RBI (3), K, RS, SB (2) -- .200
RF D. Rodriguez 1-3, BB, SF, 2B, RBI, 3 RS -- .133
1B Baldwin 0-4, BB, 2 K -- .053
C Robertson 1-5, 2 K, RS, PB -- .222

Simmons 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 4 BB, 3 K, E -- 4.00 ERA
Hernandez IP, BB, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Lohden 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA
Mazur IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB -- 6.00 ERA

* The B-Royals b-roke out the bats to salvage the finale from the Mariners. Ryan Stovall fueled the win with a 2-run homer in the 1st for his 2nd of the season and Seth Furmanek led off the 2nd with his 1st pro homer before Alex McClure hit a 2-out, 2-run double to make it 5-0. Crawford Simmons got hit for 2 runs in the 2nd and Pulaski pulled within 2 runs in the 3rd. Alex Llanos singled in a run in the 4th and Stovall doubled in a run to make it 7-3. Furmanek went long for his 2nd of the game and his career to make it 8-3 in the 5th. Daniel Hernandez came on with 2 on and 0 out in the 5th and stranded the bases full. The M's left the bases loaded again in the 6th against Cole Lohden and Stovall doubled in another run in the 8th. Derek Rodriguez hit a sac fly in the 9th to make it 10-3. Justin Mazur gave up 2 runs in the 9th before closing it out. Starter Nolan Diaz allowed 7 ER over 3 2/3 IP to drop to 1-1. Three M's had 2 hits. The B-Royals are 3-4. A 3-game home set with the Bluefield Orioles (2-4 entering today) starts Monday.

Rookie - AZL: off day

Royals on the Farm 6/26 -- Crow has a good start

AAA - Omaha: Oklahoma City 8, O-Royals 2

CF Lough 2-4 -- .277
3B Lucas 2-4 -- .352
RF Parraz 2-4, 2B (18), RS -- .267
1B Thorman 1-3, BB, HR (12), RBI (43), RS -- .267
LF Gordon 1-3, BB, K -- .340
DH Ka'aihue 0-3, BB -- .309

Mendoza 5 1/3 IP, 8 ER, 12 H, BB, K, HRA -- L, 5-6, 5.05 ERA
Hayes 1 2/3 IP, H, K -- 4.03 ERA, nice game
Bowden IP, BB -- 13.50 ERA

* Luis Mendoza did what Luis Mendoza usually does and the RedHawks took the series opener from Omaha. Omaha started the scoring with a Scott Thorman solo homer in the 4th for his 12th of the season and OKC finally got to Mendoza in the 4th with 3 runs on 4 hits. The RedHawks added 3 in the 5th and then got a 2-run homer in the 6th to make it 8-1. A double-play ball scored Omaha's other run in the 7th. OKC SP Doug Mathis allowed 2 ER over 7 IP to improve to 3-3. RF Mitch Moreland and SS Gregorio Petit had 3 hits and 2 RBI for the RedHawks and CF Craig Gentry had 2 hits. The Royals are 40-34. Gaby Hernandez starts game 2 tomorrow.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 9, Arkansas 2

2B Giavotella 2-3, 2 BB, 4 RBI (28) -- .283
CF D. Robinson 2-5, RBI (27), 2 RS, SB (31) -- .295
SS McConnell 1-2, S, SF, 2 RBI (23), RS -- .245
3B Moustakas 0-4, BB -- .344
DH C. Robinson 1-5 -- .306
RF Orlando 1-5, RS -- .317
LF Smith 1-4, BB, 3 RS, 2 SB (8) -- .301

Crow 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K, HRA -- W, 5-6, 5.97 ERA
Teaford IP, H, 2 K -- 5.08 ERA
R. Hardy IP, K -- 5.19 ERA

* Arkansas got a leg up early but it was all Naturals thereafter. Aaron Crow got off to a rough start by giving up a 2-run homer in the 1st but was pretty much lockdown over the next 6. The Naturals rallied for 3 runs with 2 out in the 2nd as Chris McConnell hit an RBI single and Johnny Giavotella hit a 2-run single. NWA added 3 more in the 4th on a Derrick Robinson RBI fielder's choice and another 2-run single from Giavotella to make it 6-2. McConnell added a sac fly and an error scored a run in the Nats 6th to make it 8-2. Another error scored a run in the 7th as the Travelers had 4 in the game. Crow was pulled after 97 pitches and Everett Teaford and Rowdy Hardy finished it. Arkansas SP Tyler Chatwood allowed 8 runs (only 1 ER) over 5 2/3 IP to drop to 0-2. CF Tyson Auer had 2 hits for the Travs. LF Jeremy Moore hit his 6th homer and drove in 2 (24). NWA is 3-1.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 13, Salem 5

CF Norris 4-4, BB, 2B (10), 3B (6), 5 RBI (28), RS, CS (10) -- .245, hasn't had many better games than this as a pro
SS Navarro 3-5, RBI (18), 2 RS -- .240
LF Ortiz 3-6, 2 RBI (19), RS, SB (20) -- .299
2B Rivera 2-4, SF, 2 RBI, K, 3 RS -- .164
3B Romak 1-1, 2 BB, HBP, RBI (45), RS -- .284
1B Hosmer 2-5, 2B (26), K, RS -- .358
C Theriot 1-4, HBP, 2 RBI (5), 2 RS -- .267

Dwyer 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- W, 5-3, 3.22 ERA
Hodgson 3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 5.17 ERA
Thompson IP, 2 K -- 8.86 ERA

* The Rocks pounded Salem SP Stolmy Pimentel en route to the easy win. Jamie Romak slapped an RBI single in the 1st but Chris Dwyer gave up a 2-run double in the 2nd to give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead. Patrick Norris started a big game for him with a 2-run single in the 2nd to turn the lead around. Rey Navarro, Ben Theriot and Juan Rivera hit consecutive RBI singles in the 3rd and Norris came back up and ripped a 2-run triple before Adrian Ortiz singled in another run to make it 9-2. Theriot took a bases-loaded HBP in the 4th, Rivera added a sac fly and Norris hit another RBI single as the Rocks made the lead 10 runs. Dwyer allowed 2 runs in the 5th and Ivor Hodgson allowed another in the 6th to cut it to 12-5. Ortiz added an insurance run with an RBI groundout in the 6th and Hodgson and James Thompson finished it. Pimentel allowed 9 runs (8 ER) over 2 1/3 IP to fall to 5-6. Three Sox had 2 hits. The Rocks are 2-1. Team site reports Christian Colon isn't expected to play this weekend. Bryan Paukovits makes his A-Advanced debut Sunday in starting the first of 3 at the Frederick Keys (2-1, A-Adv. Orioles, first half division champs).

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 11, Bees 7

1B Lewis 2-5, 2B (18), 3 RBI (41), 2 K, RS -- .266
RF Oriental 2-5, 2B (10), 2 RBI (26), 2 K, E (5) -- .237
DH Bonilla 3-4 -- .232
C Myers 2-4, BB, 2B (18), K, 2 RS, PB (17) -- .294
LF Testa 1-5, 2B (14), 2 RBI (24), RS -- .265

Hayenga 5 1/3 IP, 8 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, K, E (2) -- L, 1-6, 9.37 ERA, he is not ready for prime time
Odenbach 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 2 BB, K, HRA -- 5.80 ERA
Kelley IP, ER, H, K, HRA -- 4.67 ERA
Dennick IP, K -- 4.91 ERA

* The Bees made a disastrous Keaton Hayenga start look better late but still took the L as the bad times keep rolling. Wisconsin scored 4 in the 3rd on 3 hits and a walk and the Bees stranded 2 in the 5th. Hayenga kept it at 4 until the Rattlers scored 6 in the 6th. Dusty Odenbach gave up a 3-run homer in the rally. Scott Kelley gave up a solo homer in the 7th to make it 11-0 Rattlers. The Bees loaded the bases with 1 out in the 8th and Carlo Testa hit an RBI forceout before Rene Oriental hit a 2-run double to make it 11-3. Joey Lewis hit a bases-loaded 3-run double in the 9th and Testa added an RBI double but that was it for Burlington. Rattlers SP Jake Odorizzi pitched 6 scoreless innings with 10 K to improve to 4-1. 2B Ryan Gennett had 2 hits with his 19th double and 3 RBI (39) and DH Chris Dennis hit his 7th HR with 3 RBI (42). The Bees are 0-2.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 9, Chukars 8 (10)

SS Trapp 3-4, 2 S, RS -- .333
1B Kuebler 2-5, BB, HR, 3 RBI (6), 2 K, RS, SB, E (2) -- .364
RF Adams 1-5, BB, HR, 2 RBI (6), 2 K, 2 RS -- .190
DH Watts 1-6, 2B (2), 2 RBI (8), K, RS -- .318
LF Ferguson 1-4, RBI (2), 2 K -- .250
CF Beltre 1-3, 3 BB, 2 RS -- .333
IF stranded 13.

Billo 4 1/3 IP, 7 R (6 ER), 9 H, BB, 5 K, HRA, E, pickoff -- 8.68 ERA, yikes
Graffeo 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 K -- 5.79 ERA
Rivers 2 1/3 IP, UER, 2 H, 3 K -- L, 0-1, 0.00 ERA

* A Yowill Espinal error ended up costing the Chukars the game in 10. Lane Adams led off the game with his 1st homer of the season and Jake Kuebler singled in a run to make it 2-0 Chukars. A passed ball scored an Orem run in the 1st to cut the lead in half. Tim Ferguson singled in a run in the 3rd but the Owlz got the run back off Greg Billo in the 3rd. IF appeared to take control with a 4-run 4th on a 2-run Murray Watts double and 2-run Kuebler homer for his 1st of the season. An Adams RBI groundout in the 5th made the score 8-2 Chukars but Billo and the bullpen couldn't hold it. Billo was pulled after serving up a 3-run homer to polish off a 5-run Orem 5th and Nick Graffeo gave up the tying run in the 6th. The Chukars stranded 2 in scoring position in the 8th. An Espinal error started the Orem 10th and, after a sac bunt, a walkoff single put the game to rest. Orem RP Dan Tillman pitched 2 scoreless innings to improve to 1-0. Starter Pil Joon Jang allowed 7 ER over 4 IP to have a worse start than Billo. RF Andrew Heid was 5-5 with an RBI and 2 RS and LF Dan Eichelberger had 2 hits. DH Nick Farnsworth had the big 3-run homer. Idaho Falls is 2-4. OF Julio Aparicio was promoted to A-ball in Burlington and P Carlos Fortuna was sent to the AZL. OF Geulin Beltre, as shown, was called up from the AZL.

Rookie - Burlington: Pulaski 6, B-Royals 2

C Jenkins 2-3, BB, 2B (2), RS -- .300
1B Furmanek 2-3, BB, 2B, CS -- .333
2B Piterson 2-4, K, E (2) -- .556
CF Llanos 0-4, BB, RBI (2), K, RS -- .158
SS McClure 0-4 -- .143

Dooley 3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, BB, K, 2 HRA -- L, 0-2, 12.60 ERA
Byrne 3 IP, H, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA
Bavera 2 IP, 3 H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

* A double-play ball put Burlington up in the 1st but Gates Dooley gave up a leadoff homer in the Pulaski 1st and allowed another run on two 2-out doubles. The Mariners pulled away for good in the 3rd as Dooley served up a 2-run homer, two more doubles and an RBI single to make it 6-1. Alex Llanos hit an RBI groundout in the 5th and the Royals loaded the bases with 1 out in the 9th but left 'em loaded. M's SP Richard Vargas allowed 2 runs (1 ER) over 5 IP to pick up his 1st win of the season. RF James Wood and DH Andrew Giobbi had 3 hits, including 3 doubles (4) for Wood. Two others had 2 hits. The Royals are 1-4. The series ends Sunday night.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 7, Indians 1

2B Jos. Rodriguez 3-5, 2B, K, RS, SB -- .357
1B Moreno 2-4, 2B (4), RBI (6), K, 2 RS -- .524
DH Sandford 2-4, K, RS, SB, picked off -- .375
C Shin 1-4, 2B (2), RBI (3), 2 K, RS -- .364
RF Alcantara 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K -- .125
CF Conner 1-5, 3B, 2 K -- .167
3B Cuthbert 0-2, HBP, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 RS, SB -- .222
LF Blanco 1-4, 2 K, SB -- .188
SS Liberto 1-4, 2B, K -- .222

Pimentel 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, K -- 7.71 ERA
Jon. Rodriguez 6 1/3 IP, 3 H, 7 K -- W, 1-1, 5.06 ERA, wow
Roualdes IP, ER, 3 H, K -- 4.50 ERA

* Jonathan Rodriguez had a stellar 6 1/3 IP outing in relief of rehabbing Julio Pimentel and the Royals rode it to the win. The game was scoreless in the 4th when the Royals plated 3 on a Jin-Ho Shin RBI double, a run-scoring wild pitch and a run-scoring error. The Royals squandered a leadoff triple in the 5th but scored 4 in the 7th on another wild pitch and error, and RBI doubles by Henry Moreno and Ysmelin Alcantara. Jordan Roualdes allowed a run in the 9th but the Indians didn't sniff a big rally. Indians SP Alexander Morales allowed 3 ER over 4 IP to drop to 0-2. RF Donnie Webb and C Alex Monsalve had 2 hits. The Royals are 3-2 and have Sunday off.

Royals on the Farm 6/25 -- Colon in the fold

The big news is, of course, the signing of Christian Colon, who will report to the Carolina League in Wilmington. I don't know how to handle the Royals signing their first round pick before August, much less getting it done before the end of June. This is new territory. The last first pick they signed this early was Billy Butler, which was before I started The Pipeline. No contract squabbles? No dead silence for two months followed by a signing at the 11th hour? Wha? I figured they'd start him at AA, but his hitting will be tested in Frawley Stadium.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 10, Iowa 7

LF Gordon 3-5, 3B (2), HR (11), 3 RBI (35), K, 3 RS -- .340
DH Thorman 2-5, 2 2B (18), 2 RBI (42), RS -- .267
RF Parraz 2-3, BB, HR (7), RBI (35), RS -- .263
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, 2 BB, HR (13), 2 RBI (48), K, 3 RS -- .313
3B Lucas 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (23), K, 2 E (7) -- .346, maybe best to keep him at 2B
CF Lough 1-4, HBP, K, RS -- .273

Bullington 6 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 HRA -- W, 4-1, 2.67 ERA
Herges IP, ER, 2 H, BB -- 4.69 ERA
B. Hardy IP, H, 2 BB -- 2.04 ERA
Rupe IP, ER, 2 H, HRA -- 2.10 ERA

* Omaha took an 8-0 lead and held on to win. Alex Gordon hit an RBI triple in the 1st and Kila Ka'aihue followed with a 2-run homer for his 13th of the season. Ed Lucas added a 2-run single in the 3rd and Omaha pushed across 3 in the 4th on a Gordon RBI single and 2-run Scott Thorman double. Bryan Bullington was perfect through 3 and lost his no-hit bid and shutout in the 5th as the I-Cubs scored twice. Gordon set himself up for a chance at a cycle with a solo homer in the 6th for his 11th in AAA in 2010 but Bullington gave up 2 homers for 3 runs in the 6th as Iowa trimmed it to 9-5. Jordan Parraz kept the fireworks popping with a solo homer in the 7th for his 7th of the season but Matt Herges allowed a run in the bottom of the inning. Blaine Hardy stranded the bases loaded in the 8th and Josh Rupe gave up a solo homer in the 9th before closing it out. Iowa SP Casey Coleman allowed 8 ER over 5 IP to fall to 6-7. Three Cubs had 2 hits and three had 2 RBI. Omaha is 40-33 and a game up on first. Luis Mendoza starts the first of 4 at the Oklahoma City RedHawks (40-34, AAA Rangers).

AA - NWA: Naturals 5, Arkansas 2

1B C. Robinson 3-4, BB, 2 2B (28), RS -- .308
3B Seratelli 2-4, BB, RBI (20), 2 RS -- .301
LF Orlando 2-4, S, 2B (11), RBI (27), RS -- .320, has come out of nowhere this season
CF D. Robinson 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (12), 2 RBI (26) -- .293
2B Giavotella 0-4, S -- .279
RF Van Stratten 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .299
NWA stranded 12.

Caldera 5 2/3, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, pickoff -- W, 1-0, 3.18 ERA, not a bad first AA outing
Coleman 3 1/3 IP, 3 K -- SV, 6, 2.09 ERA

* Two runs in the 8th put it on ice for the Naturals. The Nats surged ahead in the 4th on a Paulo Orlando squeeze bunt, an Anthony Seratelli RBI single and a run-scoring Travelers error. Arkansas got to Alex Caldera in his first AA start in the 5th for 2 runs on 3 hits but that was all he would allow. NWA got the first 2 on in the 8th but it took a 2-out, 2-run double from Derrick Robinson to give the Naturals the breathing room they needed. Louis Coleman made it a moot point with 3 1/3 perfect innings of relief for his 6th save. Starter Michael Anton took the loss with 3 runs (2 ER) over 6 IP to drop to 3-6. Four Travelers had a hit each. NWA is 2-1. P Edgar Osuna was put on the DL with elbow inflammation. RP Brandon Sisk will take his place on the TL North all-star team. Mike Moustakas sat out Friday for a 1-game league suspension after his ejection from the game Wednesday.

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

C S. Perez 2-4, RS -- .261
RF Francis 1-4, 2B (10), 2 RBI (14) -- .276
1B Hosmer 1-4, 2B (25), E (7) -- .357
LF Ortiz 1-5, K, RS, OF assist at second -- .295

Melville 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 5 K -- L, 2-8, 5.81 ERA
Lafferty 2 IP, UER, 3 H, 2 K -- 4.13 ERA
Basurto IP, H, pickoff -- 3.21 ERA

* The Rocks' late rally wasn't enough as Salem evened the series. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 2nd and Salem scored a run in the 3rd. The 1-0 lead held into the 7th as Tim Melville walked the bases loaded and then got pulled for Brendan Lafferty. Lafferty allowed 2 inherited runners to score to make it 3-0 Salem. The Red Sox added a run in the 8th and the Rocks finally got on the board with a 2-run Nick Francis double to trim it to 4-2. The Rocks loaded the bases with none out in the 9th but a double play ball was good and bad at the same time as it scored a run but put the Rocks down to their last out. Patrick Norris walked and Adrian Ortiz bunt grounded out to end the game. Salem SP Miguel Gonzalez pitched 5 scoreless innings to move to 1-0. SS Ryan Dent had 2 hits for the Sox. The Rocks are 1-1. Chris Dwyer starts Saturday's series finale and tries to keep his personal good times rolling on the mound. Colon is supposed to report to the team on Saturday.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 9, Bees 3

C Myers 2-4, 2B (17), RBI (44), RS -- .291
LF Testa 2-4, 2 2B (13), K -- .267
3B F. Cruz 2-4, 2B (7) -- .229
1B Lewis 1-4, 2 RBI (38), K -- .263
RF Del Rosario 0-3, BB, K, OF assist at home, E -- .235
The Bees committed 6 errors, including 3 by 2B Gerard Hall (18).

Sample 4 1/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 2-4, 4.01 ERA
Encarnacion 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, BB, WP -- 5.40 ERA
Sirrett 2 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- 4.86 ERA
Barrow IP, ER, H -- 9.00 ERA, organizational debut

* The Timber Rattlers scored 7 unanswered runs to take the second half opener. Wisconsin scored 2 in the 2nd off Tyler Sample but Burlington answered with a Wil Myers RBI single and 2-run Joey Lewis single to make it 3-2. Two of Hall's errors came in a 2-run Wisconsin 4th that swung it around for good. The T-Rats plated 4 in the 6th off Rodolfo Encarnacion and then scored in the 8th as the Bees offense produced little. Wisconsin SP Kyle Heckathorn allowed 3 ER over 6 IP to improve to 6-4. The Bees are 0-1.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 6, Chukars 4

DH T. Jones 2-3, BB, RBI -- .667
CF Ferguson 2-4, 2 K -- .250
RF Adams 2-4, RBI (4), RS -- .188
LF Aparicio 1-4, RBI, 3 K, RS, OF assist at home -- .286
C David 1-4 -- .214

Garrido 5 IP, 3 H, 4 K, WP -- 0.00 ERA
De La Rosa 3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, 3 K, HRA, E -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA
Graham IP, ER, 3 H -- 4.50 ERA

* The Chukars wasted a good Santiago Garrido start in blowing a narrow lead in the 9th. The Chukars jumped on SP Bruce Kern for 4 runs in the 1st on Lane Adams and Julio Aparicio RBI singles and a Travis Jones 2-run single aided by a Casper error. IF stranded 2 in the 2nd but Garrido handled his business with 5 scoreless IP. Starling De La Rosa came in for the 6th and allowed 3 runs right off the bat on a 3-run homer by DH Corey Dickerson. De La Rosa gave up 2 doubles to tie the game before getting pulled in the 9th for Tyler Graham, who let 2 more runs in before escaping the jam. IF stranded 1 in the 9th. Kern allowed 4 runs (3 ER) over 3 IP. RP Kenneth Roberts pitched 2 scoreless innings for the win. Three Ghosts had 2 hits as Dickerson had 3 RBI (5). Idaho Falls is 2-3 and 2 games back. A 3-game set at the Orem Owlz (3-2, Rookie Angels) starts Saturday.

Rookie - Burlington: Pulaski 8, B-Royals 7

CF Llanos 2-5, 2B, RBI, RS -- .200
C Escobar 1-3, HBP, 2B, 2 RBI, K, RS, 2 PB -- .167, ejected in 9th
3B Y. Figueroa 1-4, RBI, 2 RS, CS, E -- .429
2B Piterson 1-3, S, HR, RBI (2), RS -- .571
1B Baldwin 0-4, RBI (2), 2 K, E (2) -- .071
DH Jenkins 1-3, BB, 2B, K, RS -- .143

Avinazar 5 IP, 2 UER, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA
Penny IP, 5 R (2 ER), 5 H, BB -- 27.00 ERA
Worrell 2 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 4 K, WP -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 2.45 ERA

* The Royals blew a 7-2 lead in the opener with the Mariners. Geoff Baldwin hit an RBI groundout in the 1st but Pulaski grabbed the lead off Willian Avinazar in the 2nd. Luis Piterson hit a solo homer in the 4th for his 1st of the season and Alex Llanos singled in a run in the 4th to make it 3-2 B-Royals. Burlington added 4 runs in the 6th on a Yunior Figueroa RBI single, a 2-run Edul Escobar double and run-scoring M's error to make it 7-2. Pulaski roared back in the 7th off Robert Penny and Josh Worrell to tie the game with 5 runs. The game was still tied in the 9th as Worrell gave up a leadoff triple and gave up a 1-out walkoff single to end it. RP Matt Bischoff pitched a scoreless 9th for the win. Starter Leonardo Rodriguez allowed 3 runs (2 ER) over 5 IP. RF James Wood had 3 hits, including the big triple in the 9th, and 2 others had 2 hits for Pulaski. The Royals are 1-3.

Rookie - AZL: Padres 7, Royals 3

1B Moreno 3-4, 2B (3), 3B -- .529
CF Dyson 2-2, RS -- .533
C Marquez 2-4, RBI, CS, 4 PB -- .429
SS Mateo 1-5, 3B, RBI (2), 3 K, RS, 2 E (5) -- .263
3B Cuthbert 0-3, BB, RBI -- .250
DH Conner 1-4, K -- .154
LF Blanco 1-3, BB, RS -- .167
2B Jos. Rodriguez 1-3, BB, K -- .222

Diaz IP, UER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 13.50 ERA
Peacock 2 IP, ER, H, 3 K, WP -- 3.00 ERA
Martin 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 5 K -- L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA
Kreich IP, ER, 2 H, K, pickoff -- 3.00 ERA
Gatrell 2 IP, 2 UER, H, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA

* Gonna keep it short, cuz damn these 7-team reports take forever. The trend in the Royals organization continued as the offense disappeared late and the Pads scored 6 unanswered runs to win. Daniel Mateo hit an RBI triple in the 1st and Cheslor Cuthbert drove in a run with a groundout. Jerico Blanco scored on an error in the 2nd for the Royals' other run. Alexander Marquez had 3 passed balls in the 1st and Brian Peacock had a run-scoring wild pitch in the 2nd as miscues haunted the Royals. The Padres broke it open for good off Kyle Kreich and Brennan Martin in the 6th. The Royals are 2-2. They play the Indians Saturday.

Royals on the Farm 6/24 -- Lamb shows his stuff

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 5, O-Royals 4

3B Thorman 3-4, 2B (16), K, RS, picked off -- .264
SS Falu 2-3, 2 BB, RS, SB (9) -- .288
1B Ka'aihue 1-4, 2B (14), 2 RBI (46), K -- .313
2B Lucas 1-4, 2B (8), RBI (21), E (5) -- .350
C Bellorin 1-3, RBI (4) -- .164
CF Lough 0-3, S, K -- .274
LF Gordon 1-4, 2 K, RS -- .333, 2 OF assists at home, one at third!!!
RF Parraz 1-4, 2B (17), K, RS -- .258

Baez 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- 6.52 ERA
Castaneda 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, H, 4 BB, K -- BS, 1, L, 3-1, 3.25 ERA
Holland 1 1/3 IP, H, BB, K -- 4.91 ERA

* Omaha lost the lead in the 7th as Iowa got the comeback win. Kila Ka'aihue got Omaha off to a good start with a 2-run double in the 1st but an Ed Lucas error scored Iowa's first run in the 1st. Edwin Bellorin drove in his 4th RBI of the season in the 2nd but Iowa tied it in the 2nd on 2 bases-loaded walks off Manauris Baez. Scott Thorman and Lucas hit consecutive doubles as the Royals moved ahead, 4-3, in the 6th. Walks again were poison to Omaha in the 7th as Federico Castaneda issued 2 free passes with 2 outs and then allowed a game-tying single. Greg Holland came in and issued another walk before giving up the go-ahead single, although Alex Gordon kept the damage to 1 added run with an assist at the plate. Omaha didn't threaten to tie. Iowa RP Justin Berg pitched 2 scoreless frames to improve to 3-1. Starter Thomas Diamond allowed 4 ER over 6 IP. CF Sam Fuld was 4-4 with 2 RS. The rest of the Cubs had 3 hits. Omaha is 39-33 and in a 3-way tie for first. Phil Humber's 11 Ks was the first double-digit strikeout game for Omaha since July 2007, and that was 10 by Matt Wright. The last to K 11 was Runelvys in June 2006. Bryan Bullington starts Friday's series finale.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 12, Naturals 7

1B C. Robinson 3-4, 2B (26), 2 HR (12), 3 RBI (50), 3 RS, E (9) -- .301, stepped up his game this season
DH Smith 3-4, 2 RBI (26), RS, CS (2) -- .303
LF Orlando 2-3, BB, 2B (10), RBI (26), RS, E (6) -- .316
2B Giavotella 2-4, BB, 2B (16), RBI (24), RS -- .283, nice to see back in lineup after getting spiked Wed.
CF D. Robinson 2-5, CS (12) -- .292
3B Moustakas 0-5, 2 K -- .350
RF Van Stratten 1-4, RS -- .300

Santiago 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, BB, 3 K, 2 HRA -- L, 5-6, 3.29 ERA
Swaggerty 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, K -- 3.97 ERA
B. Johnson 3 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 6 H, BB, 3 K, HRA, WP -- 6.33 ERA

* Tulsa applied more offensive pressure than the Naturals to salvage the series finale. NWA struck first as Paulo Orlando hit an RBI groundout and Tim Smith singled home a run to make it 2-0 in the 2nd. Tulsa scored single runs in the 3rd and 4th to tie it but Clint Robinson clubbed his 11th homer of the season to make it 3-2 NWA in the 4th. Santiago's outing collapsed in the 5th as Tulsa scored 4 runs to take control at 6-3. The Drillers scored 2 off Ben Swaggerty in the 6th but the Naturals got 'em back on a 2-run Clint Robinson longball for his 12th of the season and 2nd of the game. The Naturals continued to trim the lead on a Johnny Giavotella RBI double in the 7th but Blake Johnson gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th. Tim Smith singled in a run in the 8th but NWA killer Charles Blackmon singled in another run in the 9th to get it back. Starter Greg Reynolds allowed 3 runs (2 ER) over 5 IP to improve to 1-2. Blackmon and 2B Jason Van Kooten had 3 hits for Tulsa as Blackmon hit his 4th homer with 3 RBI (16). It seems like he's hitting like .750 versus the Naturals. Five other Drillers had 2 hits and DH Ryan Harvey had 2 HR (10). Blackmon also had an OF assist at second. The Naturals are 1-1.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 2, Salem 0 (5-hitter)

DH Walton 3-3, 2B (5), RS, CS (3) -- .199
1B Hosmer 2-4, HR (4), RBI (43), RS -- .358
CF Norris 1-2, HBP, RBI (23), SB (14), CS (9), OF assist at home -- .231
LF Ortiz 1-4 -- .296
C S. Perez 0-3 -- .256

Lamb 6 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K, E -- W, 3-2, 1.94 ERA
Mozingo 1/3 IP, nothing -- 4.79 ERA
Barrera 2 IP, H, 3 K -- SV, 1, 9.00 ERA

* John Lamb pitched very well and the Blue Rocks finally solved the Salem riddle to snap a 9-game losing streak versus the Sawx. Wilmington stranded 2 in the 2nd and the defense supported Lamb in the 2nd as Patrick Norris threw out a runner at the plate to end the inning. Norris stepped up in the 5th to single home a run and Eric Hosmer smoked a solo homer in the 6th for his 4th of the season to make it 2-0 Rocks. Lamb retired 14 of the last 17 he faced and Harold Mozingo and Henry Barrera finished the job. Salem SP Caleb Clay allowed 2 ER over 6 2/3 IP to fall to 2-5. Five Red Sox had a hit each. The Rocks are 1-0. Alex Caldera got called up to AA after a good first half. P Jairo Cuevas has been activated and P Bryan Paukovits was called up from Burlington in another solid move. Tim Melville starts game 2 Friday.

A - Burlington: all-star break

* The Bees start the second half with the first of 3 at the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (26-42, A Brewers) Friday. Lefty Brandon Barrow has been added to the Bees roster as he was a 2007 draftee by Florida signed by the Royals in April.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Casper 5, Chukars 2

1B Kuebler 1-4, 2B (3), RBI (3) -- .357
3B C. Figueroa 0-3, BB, RBI, E -- .000
CF Ferguson 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .167
SS Trapp 0-2, BB, S -- .400
DH Watts 0-4 -- .375
2B Zebroski 0-2, BB -- .400
C David 0-4, 2 K, PB (2) -- .200

Alexander 4 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- L, 0-1, 2.25 ERA
Morizio 4 IP, 2 UER, 3 H, BB, 4 K, E -- 0.00 ERA
Rivers IP, nothing -- 0.00 ERA

* The Chukars mustered only 3 hits as Casper took the series opener. Jake Kuebler hit an RBI groundout in the 1st but Casper tied it in the 3rd. Scott Alexander gave up 2 runs in the 4th but the Chukars got 1 back that inning on a Correy Figueroa RBI groundout. Casper scored 2 more runs off Matt Morizio in the 5th. IF stranded the bases full in the 7th and Julio Aparicio got picked off at third to end the Chukars 8th. RP Ricardo Ferrer pitched 3 scoreless innings to improve to 1-0. Starter Tyler Gagnon allowed 2 runs (1 ER) over 4 IP. 2B Brett Tanos and 3B Jordan Ballard had 2 hits for Casper.

Rookie - Burlington: Greeneville 2, B-Royals 1

2B Piterson 3-4, 2B (2), RBI, CS -- .636
3B Figueroa 2-3, 2B -- .667
CF Llanos 0-3, S -- .100
1B Baldwin 0-4, 3 K -- .100
LF MacDougall 1-3, HBP, K -- .400
SS McClure 0-3, HBP, K, E -- .200

Giovenco 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA
Keck 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, K -- 0.00 ERA
Mazur 2 IP, 2 H, K -- 0.00 ERA
Bavera IP, K -- 0.00 ERA

* It was a pretty nip-and-tuck game as the Astros simply scored one more run than the B-Royals. Michael Giovenco had shaky innings in the 1st and 2nd then gave up a solo homer in the 3rd. Burlington got an RBI single from Luis Piterson in the bottom of the 3rd. Giovenco got pulled for Jonathon Keck with 1 on and 1 out in the 4th and Keck let 1 run in to make it 2-1 Greeneville. The Royals squandered a bases-loaded chance in the 4th and didn't have another good chance. 'Stros SP Ruben Alaniz allowed an unearned run over 5 IP to get the win. Three Astros had 2 hits. The Royals are 1-2. A 3-game set at the Pulaski Mariners (2-1) starts Friday.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals won Wednesday's game, 7-4, in 10 as RP Kyle Kreich got the win. Henry Moreno hit a 2-run single in the 10th and Jerico Blanco singled home a run to make the difference. RP Jordan Roualdes pitched the 10th for his 1st save.

Royals 8, Mariners 5

DH Dyson 4-5, RBI (2), 2 RS, SB (2) -- .462
1B Moreno 3-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI (5), K, RS, E -- .462
RF Beltre 1-4, RBI (2), K, RS -- .273
C Shin 1-3, SF, RBI (2), RS -- .429
CF Conner 1-4, 2B, RBI, K -- .111
3B Cuthbert 1-4, K, RS -- .308
2B Liberto 1-3, HBP, RS -- .200

Ventura 4 IP, H, BB, 7 K, pickoff -- 0.00 ERA, DSL callup hurls gem in AZL debut
R. Brown 2 IP, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Rodgers IP, ER, H, K -- 9.00 ERA
J. Sanchez IP, K -- 0.00 ERA
Lindsay 2/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 2 H -- 27.00 ERA, rough debut
Mitchell 1/3 IP, H -- 0.00 ERA

* Six Royals pitchers combined to pull them past the M's. Geulin Beltre and Henry Moreno sandwiched RBI singles around a Jin-Ho Shin sac fly to spot the Royals a 3-0 lead in the 1st. Jarrod Dyson hit a 2-run single in the 2nd and then scored on an error to make it 6-0. Moreno and Cameron Conner hit consecutive RBI doubles in the 5th and the 8-0 lead held into the 9th. Two errors came back to bite Dylan Lindsay in his U.S. pro debut as he gave up a 2-run triple and the Mariners plated 2 more runs before Jason Mitchell put it to an end. The Royals are 2-1. They play the Padres Friday.

Royals on the Farm 6/23 -- Moustakas gets the heave-ho

First things first, Star is reporting Christian Colon and the Royals have reached a tentative deal. I may swoon, the Royals get their first pick's deal done this quick? Let's see if the deal goes down.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 6, Iowa 4

LF Gordon 2-5, 2 2B (14), K, SB (6) -- .335
3B Thorman 2-4, 2B (15), RBI (40), RS -- .255
SS Falu 2-5, 2B (9), RS, E (16) -- .285
RF Parraz 1-3, BB, HR (6), 3 RBI (34), RS -- .258
CF Lough 1-4, S, HR (8), RBI (30), K, RS -- .277
DH Miller 1-3, BB, 2B (16), RBI (32), K, RS -- .240
1B Ka'aihue 0-3, 2 BB, 3 K -- .314
2B Lucas 0-2, S, BB, K, RS -- .354

Humber 7 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 8 H, 11 K, HRA, E -- 4.63 ERA, I've liked how he's looked with Omaha most of the time
Rupe 2 IP, H, K -- W, 1-1, 1.82 ERA

* A big 9th-inning rally helped Omaha to the win Wednesday. Scott Thorman hit a 2-out RBI double in the 1st but Iowa struck back with 3 runs off Phil Humber on 4 hits, including a 2-run homer. An Irving Falu error scored a run in the 2nd as Iowa maintained control at 4-1. Jai Miller kept Omaha in it with an RBI double in the 4th but Alex Gordon was nailed at the plate to end the Omaha 5th. Jordan Parraz had the big hit with a 3-run homer in the 9th for his 6th of the season and David Lough went solo for his 8th of the season as the O-Royals seized the lead. RP Blake Parker allowed 4 ER over 2/3 IP to blow his 2nd save and fall to 1-3. Starter Jeff Samardzija allowed 2 ER over 4 1/3 IP. CF Sam Fuld and 1B Micah Hoffpauir had 2 hits for the I-Cubs. Omaha is 39-32. Manauris Baez starts game 3 Thursday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 12, Tulsa 10

RF Van Stratten 2-4, BB, 2B (14), 3 RS -- .301
C-3B Howell 1-3, SF, HR (3), 4 RBI (18), K, RS -- .248
LF Orlando 1-3, BB, HR (3), 3 RBI (25), 2 RS -- .310
1B Mejia 1-4, 2B (3), 3 RBI (40), 2 K -- .261
DH Smith 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (24), K, RS -- .291
CF D. Robinson 1-5, K, SB (30), E (8), OF assist at second -- .290
2B Giavotella 1-1, RS -- .280, left in 3rd with leg injury
3B Moustakas 0-1 -- .359, ejected in 3rd

Osuna 5 IP, UER, 5 H, K, E -- 2.59 ERA
Chavez IP, 5 R (4 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, HRA -- 6.33 ERA
Sisk 2 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 K, WP, pickoff -- BS, 3, W, 4-2, 2.90 ERA
R. Hardy IP, K -- SV, 1, 5.35 ERA

* The Naturals recovered from a 7-run Driller 7th to get the win. Paulo Orlando started the Nats off with a bang as he rocked a 3-run homer in the 1st for his 3rd of the season. Tulsa got a run in the 3rd and Johnny Giavotella got taken out on a slide at second and had to leave the game with a leg injury. Mike Moustakas got into an argument with the third base umpire on the play and got the thumb, meaning Jeff Howell had to play third for the first time since 2007. Tim Smith hit a 2-run single in the 4th and Howell added a sac fly as NWA moved ahead, 6-1. With 2 out and the bases loaded in the 5th, Ernesto Mejia stepped up with a bases-clearing double as NWA made it 9-1. Tulsa got 2 runs off Chris Chavez in the 6th and then combined with Brandon Sisk on a near-disaster 7th as Tulsa surged ahead, 10-9. Howell turned it around for good, tho, with a 3-run homer in the 8th for his 3rd of the season. Rowdy Hardy threw a 1-2-3 9th to finish it. RP Ching Lung Lo allowed 2 ER over 2 1/3 IP to drop to 1-2. Starter Christian Friedrich allowed 9 ER over 5 IP. C Wilin Rosario and 2B Jason Van Kooten had 3 hits as Van Kooten hit his 8th homer. Two others had 2 hits for Tulsa. The Naturals are 1-0 on the second half. Mario Santiago starts Thursday as the Nats try to break out the brooms.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

* The second half starts Thursday with the first of 3 at home against the Salem Red Sox (42-28 in first half).

A - Burlington: all-star break

* The Bees get back into action Friday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 8, Orem 5

C Cornstubble 3-4, RBI, 2 RS, E -- .750, nice pro debut for best name in Royals draft
SS Zebroski 2-3, BB, 2B, RBI, 3 RS -- .667, not too bad either
1B Watts 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI (6), K -- .500
CF Ferguson 1-4, BB, RBI -- .222
2B Espinal 0-4, RBI (4) -- .357
DH Monger 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .375

Mariot 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 4 H, BB, 4 K -- 4.50 ERA
Blauer 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA, win in pro debut
Graffeo 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 9.00 ERA

* The Chukars churned out enough offense to take the game and series from Orem. Orem scored first with a run in the 3rd off Mike Mariot in his pro debut. IF responded with 4 runs in the inning on a Tom Zebroski single aided by an Owlz error, a run-scoring passed ball and a 2-run Murray Watts double as the big man (like 6-7, 275 big) continued a solid start to his career. The Owlz scored 2 in the 4th but IF got 'em back with a Zebroski RBI forceout and Tim Ferguson RBI groundout. Dale Cornstubble singled in a run in the 6th and Yowill Espinal drove in a run with a groundout to make it 8-3. Chad Blauer stranded the bases full in the 7th but Orem got 2 in the 8th off Nick Graffeo to close the gap. Graffeo rebounded with a 1-2-3 9th. Starter Joshua Blanco took the loss with 4 unearned runs over 3 IP. 3B Thomas Nichols had 3 hits for Orem and CF Travis Witherspoon had 2 hits in the loss. IF is 2-1. A 2-game set in the friendly confines versus the Casper Ghosts (2-1, Rookie Rockies) starts Thursday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 9, Greeneville 3

3B Stovall 2-2, 2 BB, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 RS, 2 SB (3), CS -- .400
2B Piterson 2-4, 2B, 2 RS, SB (2) -- .571
LF MacDougall 1-2, BB, SF, 3B, 2 RBI, K, RS -- .500, OF assist at home
C Robertson 1-4, RBI -- .250
CF Llanos 0-3, BB, RS, SB, OF assist at third -- .143
1B Baldwin 0-2, 2 HBP, 2 K, 2 RS, E -- .167
SS McClure 0-3, BB, K, RS, SB -- .286

L. Santiago 5 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 5.40 ERA
Lohden 3 IP, H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Byrne IP, H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA, couple nice debuts there

* The B-Royals broke out the bats to rout the Astros. Leonel Santiago had a tough 1st as Greeneville scored 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. Gabe MacDougall hit a sac fly in the bottom of the 1st and Ryan Stovall put the Royals ahead with a 2-run homer for his 1st at IF this season. Santiago gave up a homer in the 3rd but Stovall came through with a 2-run triple that inning to make it 5-3 Burlington. MacDougall came up with an OF assist at the plate to end the Astros 4th and then hit an RBI triple in the 5th to extend the lead. Cole Lohden and Chas Byrne took it from there with 4 strong relief innings. Geoff Baldwin scored on a wild pitch in the 8th, Stovall and Alex McClure pulled off a double steal of home and second, and Drew Robertson singled home his first pro RBI to make it 9-3. Starter Angel Gonzalez took the loss with 6 ER over 5 IP. Three Astros had 2 hits as C Bubby Williams had 2 hits, his 1st homer and 2 RBI. The Royals are 1-1. The series ends Thursday.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 4, Rangers 4 going into extras

CF Dyson 2-5, RBI, SB, CS -- .286
SS D. Mateo 2-4, RBI, K, CS -- .375
3B Cuthbert 2-4, 2 K, RS -- .375
LF Blanco 0-4, RBI, 2 K -- .000
DH Conner 0-3, BB, K, picked off -- .000
C Marquez 1-3, BB, K, RS -- .333

Pimentel 2/3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), H, BB, 2 K, WP, E -- 27.00 ERA, continues rehab road
Lowery 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Yambati 5 IP, 3 H, 5 K, WP, balk, pickoff -- 0.00 ERA
Kriech 1 1/3 IP and counting, H, K, pickoff -- 0.00 ERA so far

* The Rangers established the lead early but the Royals clawed their way back into it and I'm not waiting up for an extra-inning AZL game. Solly Chollie. Julio Cesar Pimentel made his first start in his return from TJS and allowed 4 runs in the 1st along with a rare Devon Lowery sighting, as Lowery gave up a 2-run single in relief of Pimentel in the inning. A 2-run error on a ball hit by Jerico Blanco got the Royals on the board in the 4th and Jarrod Dyson and Dan Mateo hit RBI singles in the 7th to tie it. I'll update what happened tomorrow.

Royals on the Farm 6/22 -- Moustakas, Hosmer on Futures roster

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 8, O-Royals 7

2B Lucas 3-5, 3B, HR (5), 5 RBI (20), K, RS -- .362, that's a double shy of the cycle
RF Lough 2-4, BB, 2B (8), HR (7), RBI (29), 2 RS -- .278
DH Ka'aihue 0-1, 3 BB, SF, RBI (44), RS -- .319
LF Gordon 0-4, BB, 2 K -- .333
1B Thorman 1-2, 3 BB, K, 2 RS -- .251

Hernandez 6 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K, 2 HRA -- 5.71 ERA
Herges IP, 2 K -- 4.58 ERA
B. Hardy 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K -- L, 1-1, 2.16 ERA

* Omaha squandered a 4-run 1st as Gaby Hernandez had a fairly bad start. Kila Ka'aihue hit a sac fly in the 1st and Ed Lucas stayed hot with a 3-run homer for his 5th of the season to spot the Royals a 4-0 lead. Omaha loaded the bases with none out in the 3rd but like their big league counterparts couldn't plate a run. Iowa got 2 2-run homers off Hernandez in a 5-run 3rd to take the lead. They added 2 runs in the 6th off Hernandez to make it 7-4. Lucas ripped a 2-run triple in the 8th to cut the lead to 1 and David Lough hit a 1-out solo homer in the 9th to tie it at 7. It was Lough's 7th homer. Blaine Hardy stranded 2 in the 8th and gave up a 1-out walkoff single in the 9th to end it. RP Brian Schlitter got 2 outs for the win to move to 1-1. Starter Jay Jackson allowed 4 ER over 6 IP. C Welington Castillo had 2 hits for Iowa. Omaha is 38-32. Phil Humber starts Wednesday's game 2.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Tulsa 4 (13)

3B Moustakas 3-5, BB, 2B (21), HR (18), 3 RBI (66), RS, E (12) -- .361, yesssssssss
RF Orlando 3-5, BB, K, CS (6) -- .310
DH Giavotella 2-6, S, GW RBI (23), RS -- .277
2B Seratelli 2-6, 2 K, RS -- .293
C Pina 1-5, HR (6), RBI (23), K, RS, E (7) -- .268
CF D. Robinson 2-7, K, RS -- .292
NWA stranded 13.

Paulino 5 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 5 H, 4 BB, 3 K -- 4.19 ERA
Swaggerty 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 K -- 3.38 ERA
Keating 3 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 2.25 ERA
Chavez 2 IP, H, 3 K -- W, 2-0, 4.87 ERA

* Mike Moustakas had another good night but Johnny Giavotella had the walkoff hit in the 13th. Eduardo Paulino allowed a run in the 1st and Tulsa added 2 in the 3rd to make it 3-0. Moustakas tied it with one swing in the 3rd with a 3-run homer for his 18th of the season. Manny Pina broke the tie with a solo homer in the 5th for his 6th of the season to make it 4-3. Two errors helped the Drillers tie it in the 6th and then a dry spell ensued for both teams. NWA squandered a bases-loaded 1-out situation in the 12th but put 2 on with 1 out in the 13th. Giavotella hit a 2-out walkoff single to put the first half to rest. NWA finished with their best half ever, 42-28. The teams wrap up the set with the first game of the second half Wednesday. Moustakas was named to the U.S. team in the All-Star Futures Game along with Eric Hosmer. Nice to see 2 Royals involved. I bet Myers is on it in the next couple years. I wonder if Montgomery would have gotten a shot if healthy.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

* The all-star game is tonight in Myrtle Beach. Hosmer was 0-4 with 2 Ks, Salvador Perez was 0-2 with a K, Alex Caldera pitched a scoreless inning with a K and Chris Dwyer got 1 out.

A - Burlington: all-star break

* The West all-stars lost, 6-2, Tuesday. Wil Myers was 0-1 with a walk and K, Bryan Paukovits struck out 1 in a scoreless IP and Tyler Sample allowed a hit and got an out.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 11, Orem 2

DH Watts 4-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, K, 2 RS -- .500, 28th rounder breaking OUT in second pro game
2B Espinal 4-5, 2 RBI (3), 2 RS, E -- .500
RF Monger 3-5, 2B, RBI, K, SB -- .600, first Soria, now Monger, Moore OWNS the Padres
3B Culver 2-4, K, 2 RS -- .286
SS Trapp 2-4, RBI, RS, picked off -- .375
CF Adams 0-4, BB, 2 RBI (3), RS -- .125
1B Kuebler 1-5, RBI (2), 4 K, RS -- .400, AG's cousin wears golden sombrerrrrrrro, tough night baseball wise for the fam
LF Ferguson 1-5, K -- .200
C David 1-2, BB, HBP, 2 RS, SB -- .333, catcher showin some wheels

L. Perez 5 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 6 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 1.80 ERA, I like Leondy
De La Rosa IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Graham 3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- 3.00 ERA

* Idaho Falls broke out for 8 straight runs to even the record at 1-1. Orem got a solo homer off Leondy Perez in the 4th but Murray Watts answered with his 1st pro homer in the bottom of the inning to tie it. The Chukars surged ahead with 5 in the 5th on a Justin Trapp RBI single, a Lane Adams RBI groundout, a Yowill Espinal RBI single, a Jake Kuebler RBI single and Cameron Monger RBI single. Adams hit another RBI groundout in the 6th and Espinal singled home another run in the 6th to make it 8-1. Tyler Graham gave up a homer to the first batter he faced but settled down to go scoreless the rest of the way. RP Kevin Johnson allowed 6 ER over 1 2/3 IP to take the loss. Starter Carmine Giardina pitched 3 scoreless innings. DH Nick Farnsworth and 3B Thomas Nichols had 2 hits each for the Owlz. Both had their first homer of the season. The rubber match of the series is Wednesday.

Rookie - Burlington: Greeneville 7, B-Royals 3

SS McClure 2-4, RBI -- .500
2B Piterson 2-3, S, K, RS, SB, E -- .667
1B G. Baldwin 1-4, RBI, RS -- .250
CF Llanos 1-4, K -- .250
C Jenkins 0-4 -- .000
DH Furmanek 1-4, K -- .250
LF Taylor 0-4, 2 K -- .000

Simmons 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 3.60 ERA, nice K rate, K/BB
Dooley 2 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 4.50 ERA, got first pro loss out of the way quick
Penny 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, K, HRA -- 40.50 ERA
Worrell 1 1/3 IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

* Things picked up for the B-Royals where they left off in 2009, another loss. Crawford Simmons got 2 Ks in the 1st but gave up a solo homer in the 2nd before working out of a jam. The Stros scored 2 in the 3rd to make it 3-0. Burlington broke back with 3 runs in the 3rd on a run-scoring error, a Geoff Baldwin RBI single and an Alex McClure RBI single for his first pro ribby. Simmons struck out 2 in the 5th to finish strong. Gates Dooley gave up a run in his first pro IP and then Robert Penny gave up 3 runs in the 8th as the Astros pulled away. RP John Frawley got the win for Greeneville with 2 2/3 scoreless IP. Starter Euris Quezada allowed 3 ER over 4 IP. 3B Jhonny Medrano had 3 hits (including a homer) and two others had 2 hits for the Astros. Burlington is 0-1.

Rookie - AZL: off day

* The Royals take on the Rangers tomorrow.

Royals on the Farm 6/21 -- New pro careers begin

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 6, Round Rock 3

CF Miller 2-4, HR (8), 3 RBI (31), K, 2 RS -- .243
3B Lucas 2-4, HR (4), RBI (15), K, RS -- .348
DH Thorman 1-4, HR (11), RBI (39), 2 RS -- .249
C Bellorin 1-3, RBI (3), K -- .159
LF Gordon 0-4, K -- .341
1B Ka'aihue 1-4, RS -- .321
RF Parraz 0-2, S -- .257

Mendoza 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 5-5, 4.18 ERA
Holland 3 IP, 2 K -- SV, 3, 5.08 ERA

* A 3-homer barrage earned Omaha the win over Round Rock. Ed Lucas went solo in the 2nd for his 4th of the season but Round Rock scored runs in the 2nd and 3rd off Luis Mendoza to take a 2-1 lead. Jai Miller turned it around with one swing as he ripped a 3-run homer (his 8th) in the 4th to make it 4-2. Scott Thorman hit his 11th homer for a solo shot in the 6th and Round Rock got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Edwin Bellorin singled in a run for only his 3rd RBI of the season in the 7th and Greg Holland took it from there with 3 perfect innings of relief to finish it. SP Polin Trinidad took the loss for Round Rock with 6 runs (3 ER) over 7 IP to drop to 3-6. 2B Oswaldo Navarro had 2 hits for the Express. Omaha is 38-31 and a game up on first. A 4-game set with the divisional rival Iowa Cubs (38-33) starts tomorrow with Gaby Hernandez taking the hill.

AA - NWA: Naturals 8, Tulsa 6

3B Moustakas 3-5, 2B (20), 2 K, 2 RS -- .355
LF Orlando 2-4, 3B (5), 2 RBI (22), RS -- .302
C Howell 2-3, 2 2B (9), K, RS -- .247
RF Van Stratten 2-4, 2B (13), RBI (27), RS, CS (3) -- .297
DH Mejia 1-4, 2B (12), RBI (37), K, RS -- .262
C Pina 1-1, HR (5), RBI (22), RS -- .271
SS McConnell 1-3, BB, RBI (21), K -- .254
2B Giavotella 0-3, SF, RBI (22) -- .276
CF D. Robinson 1-5, 2B (11), K, RS, SB (29), E (7) -- .292
1B Seratelli 1-4, 2B (4), RBI (19), K -- .291

Crow 5 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 5 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- W, 4-6, 6.27 ERA, I don't call that a win
Swaggerty 2/3 IP, BB -- 3.66 ERA
Coleman 3 1/3 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- SV, 5, 2.23 ERA

* Aaron Crow can thank the Naturals' bats for bailing him out of another subpar performance Monday. For some reason I'm really perturbed about Crow. It's not just that Grant Green is hitting .320 with an .837 OPS (keep in mind in the moon-like California League, and he has 20 BB/62 K in 281 ABs), it's just Crow's the one big prospect not pulling his weight right now in the organization. I'm starting to wonder if there's arm trouble we don't know about. I am trying to stay positive that wonder doesn't turn to hope. Crow allowed runs in each of the first 3 innings as Tulsa jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st but NWA answered with 3 runs on a Johnny Giavotella sac fly, a Nick Van Stratten RBI double and Paulo Orlando RBI single. Crow served up a 3-run homer in the 2nd and gave up 2 runs in the 3rd as the Drillers made it 6-3. An Ernesto Mejia RBI double in the 3rd was followed by a Paulo Orlando RBI triple, an Anthony Seratelli RBI groundout and Chris McConnell RBI single as NWA took a 7-6 lead. Manny Pina went solo for an insurance run in the 8th for his 5th homer of the season as he returned from the shelf. NWA rocked Keith Weiser for 7 ER over 3 IP to drop him to 5-5. 3B Matt Repec had 3 hits and DH Scott Beerer had 2 hits. CF Charles Blackmon continued to hurt the Naturals with his 3rd homer and 3 RBI (12). NWA is 41-28. C Ben Theriot was sent down to make room for Pina. The first half ends tomorrow, I think.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: all-star break

* Jamie Romak was named the CL Player of the Week Monday after hitting .391 with 2 HR and 7 RBI over the week. The all-star game is tomorrow in Myrtle Beach.

A - Burlington: all-star break

* The all-star game is Tuesday in Fort Wayne.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 8, Chukars 3

1B Kuebler 3-5, 2 2B, RBI, K, E -- .600
CF L. Adams 1-4, S, RBI -- .250
2B Espinal 1-5, RBI, K, RS -- .200
DH Watts 0-3, BB -- .000
C David 1-4, 2 K, PB -- .250
SS Trapp 1-4, 2 K, 2 RS -- .250
IF stranded 10, and LF Julio Aparicio had an OF assist at second.

Billo 5 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 5.40 ERA, I'm focusing on the 1 BB/5 K in 5 IP in this one
Cantrell 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 K, 2 WP -- 9.00 ERA
Morizio 2 IP, 3 UER, 2 H, 2 BB, K -- 0.00 ERA, former catcher switches battery places

* Orem nicked each Chukar pitcher in taking the season opener. Greg Billo gave up a run on 2 hits in the 2nd but a Yowill Espinal RBI groundout in the 3rd tied the game. Orem regained the lead in the 4th and got a solo homer in the 5th to make it 3-1. Eric Cantrell gave up 2 runs in his 1st pro IP and Jake Kuebler hit an RBI double in the 8th for IF. Matt Morizio made his pitching debut in the 8th but allowed 3 unearned runs thanks in part to a Kuebler error. Lane Adams added an RBI single in the 9th before the Chukars succumbed. Orem SP Pil Joon Jang allowed an unearned run over 6 IP. 1B Nick Farnsworth had 3 hits for the Owlz while 2 others had 2 hits. Idaho Falls is 0-1.

Rookie - Burlington: season starts Tuesday

* The B-Royals start with 3 at home versus the Greeneville Astros.

Rookie - AZL: Padres 9, Royals 3

1B H. Moreno 2-4, RBI, K -- .667
RF Beltre 1-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, RS -- .333
3B Cuthbert 1-4, K, RS, E -- .250
C Shin 2-4, 2B, RBI, K, E -- .500
CF Dyson 0-3, K -- .000
CF Conner 0-1, K -- .000
2B Liberto 0-2, BB -- .000

Peacock IP, K -- 0.00 ERA
Jon Rodriguez 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K -- L, 0-1, 12.46 ERA
Mitchell 1 2/3 IP, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Diaz 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), H, BB, K -- 54.00 ERA
Gatrell 1 2/3 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K, WP -- 0.00 ERA

* The AZL roster includes several players to watch this season. 17-yr-old 3B Cheslor Cuthbert makes his American debut after being one of the team's bigger international signings in recent years. C Jin-Ho Shin is also on the roster as the 18-year-old Korean makes his U.S. debut as well. OF Jerico Blanco is also on the AZL roster after a ho-hum debut in the DSL in 2009. Other position players on the roster are Cs Rainier Bello, Alexander Marquez and Henry Moreno; IFs 2010 draftee Michael Liberto, Daniel Mateo, Jose Rodriguez and Victor Soto; and OFs Geulin Beltre, Ysmelin Alcantara, Juan Polonia, 2010 draftees Cameron Conner and Darian Sandford, and Jarrod Dyson, who must be working his way back into shape. The pitching staff includes a bevy of NDFAs and international guys. 19-year-old South African P Dylan Lindsay makes his U.S. debut and is the youngest on the staff. The only 2010 draftee on the staff is 15th rounder Jason Mitchell. Monday's season debut was pretty underwhelming all around. Jonathan Rodriguez scattered 6 runs over 4 separate Pads rallies and Shin and Cuthbert both made errors in their debuts. Geulin Beltre hit an RBI double in the 7th and Henry Moreno hit an RBI single for the Royals to provide their runs. Eric Diaz and NDFA Tyler Gatrell allowed 3 runs in the 8th as the Padres pulled away. Shin did come through with an RBI double to score Cuthbert in the 9th.

Royals on the Farm 6/20 -- Rookie league preview

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 8, O-Royals 3

C Clark 2-3, RBI (15) -- .219
CF Miller 1-3, HR (7), RBI (28), RS -- .238
LF Lough 0-4, RBI (28), K, CS (4) -- .274
DH Ka'aihue 0-4 -- .323, a rare day when Kila doesn't reach base
2B Lucas 1-4, K -- .341
RF Parraz 1-3, 2B (16), K, RS -- .259

Bullington 6 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HRA -- L, 3-1, 2.23 ERA
Hayes IP, ER, H, HRA -- 4.35 ERA
Bowden IP, 3 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 HRA -- 27.00 ERA, welcome to AAA

* Round Rock banged 5 HR in the win over Omaha Sunday. One runner had reached base and both teams had faced the minimum over 3 1/2 innings. The Express finally got to Bryan Bullington in the 4th for 4 runs on two 2-run homers. Jai Miller got Omaha on the board with his 7th homer in the 5th but Chris Hayes gave the run back on a solo homer in the 7th. Cody Clark singled in a run in the 8th and David Lough plated a run with a forceout to cut it to 5-3. Barry Bowden made his AAA debut and gave up 2 homers for 3 runs in the 8th as the Express got some insurance. Starter Josh Banks worked 8 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) allowed to improve to 8-5. RF Andrew Locke was the big bat for Round Rock with 2 HR (9) and 4 RBI (32). Omaha is 37-31 and tied with Iowa for first. The series wraps Monday as Luis Mendoza takes the hill.

AA - NWA: Springfield 7, Naturals 6

RF Van Stratten 2-4, BB, 2B (12), RBI (26), RS -- .292
DH Moustakas 2-5, RBI (63), RS -- .348
SS McConnell 2-4, RBI (20), RS, E (10) -- .253
1B Mejia 1-4, BB, 2B (11), 2 RBI (36), RS -- .262
3B Seratelli 1-3, BB, RBI (18), K, RS -- .292
2B Giavotella 1-5, 2B (15) -- .279

Teaford 3 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, BB, 6 K, HRA, WP -- L, 6-3, 5.19 ERA, AAA hangover?
R. Hardy 5 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, K -- 5.51 ERA, an old school Rowdy outing

* The Naturals made it interesting in the 8th but couldn't get all the way back Sunday. Everett Teaford gave up 1 run in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd and 3 in the 4th before getting pulled for Rowdy Hardy. Hardy gave up another run in the 5th to make it 7-0 Cards. The Naturals' offense finally shifted out of neutral in the 8th as a run-scoring error was followed by a Nick Van Stratten RBI double, 2-run Ernesto Mejia double, Anthony Seratelli RBI single and a Chris McConnell RBI single before NWA stranded 2. The Naturals stranded 1 in the 9th to fall just short of the remarkable comeback. Starter Ryan Kulik worked 7 1/3 IP of 3 runs (2 ER) to move to 5-1. SS Pete Kozma was 3-5 and socked his 8th homer with 2 other Cards getting 2 hits. NWA is 40-28. Clint Robinson pinch-hit in the 8th and got hit in the hand with a pitch. He's set for X-rays tomorrow. A 4-game home set with the Tulsa Drillers (29-38, AA Rockies) starts Monday. Aaron Crow starts for the Nats.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 7, Winston-Salem 4

RF Francis 2-5, 2 RBI (12) -- .289
1B Hosmer 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (42), picked off -- .356
LF Ortiz 2-3, BB, S, RBI (17), RS -- .297
DH Walton 2-4, 3B (3), RBI (15), RS -- .185
CF Norris 1-2, 2 BB, RBI (22), 2 RS, SB (13) -- .229
C S. Perez 1-3, BB, RS -- .260

Hodgson 7 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 7 K, HRA, WP -- W, 3-6, 5.27 ERA, nice start
Mozingo 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- SV, 1, 4.87 ERA

* A 4-run 8th was the difference as the Rocks ended the first half on a good note with a series win over the class of the Carolina League. Ivor Hodgson gave up a leadoff homer in the 1st but Eric Hosmer tied it with an RBI single in the 3rd. Jamar Walton tripled in a run in the 4th and scored on an Adrian Ortiz single to make it 3-1 Rocks. Winston-Salem got a run back in the 5th but that was all Hodgson would allow. The Rocks put together a big rally with 2 out in the 8th as Patrick Norris singled in a run, Nick Francis hit a 2-run single and an error scored a run to make it 7-2 Wilmington. Harold Mozingo allowed 2 runs in the 9th before shutting the door. Dash SP Terry Doyle took the loss with 3 runs (2 ER) over 6 IP to drop to 2-3. RF Brandon Short was 3-4 with his 9th homer and 2 RBI (49) and C Luis Sierra had 2 hits for Winston-Salem. The Blue Rocks finished the first half 32-38. The all-star break starts tomorrow and the Rocks get back to action Thursday.

A - Burlington: Cedar Rapids 15, Bees 5

2B Hall 3-5, 2B (18), K, RS -- .238
SS Alfaro 1-5, HR, 2 RBI (6), RS -- .138
LF Testa 1-4, HR (6), 2 RBI (22), K, RS -- .262
C Bonilla 1-4, RBI (10), K -- .210
DH Myers 1-2, 2 BB, RS -- .287
RF Rene Oriental had an OF assist at third.

Marimon 2/3 IP, 10 ER, 9 H -- L, 1-1, 13.50 ERA, good times lasted 1 start for Sugar Ray
Wooley 3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- 7.62 ERA
Kelley 2 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB -- 4.54 ERA
Runion 2 IP, 3 H, K -- 9.33 ERA, nice scoreless outing from Sam

* Sunday's 1st inning made Saturday's bad 1st inning look tame as the Kernels scored 10 runs in the opening frame en route to the easy win. Sugar Ray Marimon was the victim as he gave up 2 triples and 4 doubles along with 3 singles before getting pulled with 2 out in the 1st. Nick Wooley allowed 2 inherited runners to score before stranding the bases loaded. Jose Bonilla hit an RBI single in the 2nd and Carlo Testa hit a 2-run homer in the 3rd for his 6th of the season to cut it to 10-3. Wooley and Scott Kelley allowed Cedar Rapids' other 5 runs in the 4th. J.D. Alfaro hit a 2-run homer in the 7th for his 1st at Burlington this season but that was all the Bees could do. Starter Ariel Pena allowed 3 ER over 5 IP to move to 2-2. LF Mike Trout and SS Jon Karcich had 3 hits while six other Kernels had 2 hits. DH Casey Haerther had 4 RBI (47) and Trout stole his 34th base. He's also hitting .370. The Bees ended the first half 22-47. The all-star break starts Monday and ends Friday. Tyler Sample, Bryan Paukovits and Wil Myers will take part in all-star festivities.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: season prevue

* The Chukars get into action Monday with the first of 3 against the Orem Owlz (Rookie Angels). IF's roster features backstops 19th rounder Kevin David (out of Okie State), 40th rounder Dale Cornstubble (out of Cent. Mich.) and Travis Jones, who played a couple games in Wilmington; infielders Malcom Culver, Yowill Espinal (youngest player on team at 19), NDFA Correy Figueroa (out of Tampa U), Jacob Kuebler (yet to crack a .220 BA in two pro seasons), Justin Trapp (didn't show any pop but had some good games at AZL in 2009, only 19), and 45th rounder SS Tom Zebroski (out of GWU); and OFs Julio Aparicio, 10th rounder Tim Ferguson (out of Ole Miss), 36-year-old Damon Hollins (?), Anthony Howard, 21-year-old Padres castoff Cameron Monger (hit for .785 OPS in AZL in '09), and Jovan Pickett. The pitching staff features P Greg Billo, who I hope doesn't make me look stupid for putting him 20th on my 2009 top prospects list for the organization. He was top 5 last year in the Appy League in ERA and WHIP. New guys to the organization in IF are 6th round lefty Scott Alexander, 7th round righty Eric Cantrell, 8th round righty Michael Mariot, 22nd round righty Tyler Graham, 30th round righty Chad Blauer, 38th round righty Nick Graffeo, and 39th round righty Alex Rivers. They're joined by Billo, converted OF Brian Anderson, converted C Matt Morizio, lefty Starling De La Rosa (who I guess got demoted a little farther than A ball), righty Carlos Fortuna, righty Santiago Garrido and righty Leondy Perez. The team site also reports 2010 28th rounder 1B Murray Watts is part of the team.

Rookie - Burlington: season prevue

* The B-Royals will try to regroup from a dismal 2009 season when Appy League play starts Tuesday. The roster includes 17th rounder C Ryan Jenkins (out of Auburn U) and 46th round pick C Drew Robertson (out of Mid Tenn St.); infielders Geoff Baldwin ('09 draftee 1B, had some flashes in AZL last year), Yunior Figueroa, Seth Furmanek (NDFA out of Oral Roberts), Adrian Martinez, 11th rd SS Alex McClure (out of Mid Tenn St., but never played there after transferring from Vandy), Luis Piterson (showed some tools in AZL last year), and Ryan Stovall (already struggled some in full-season ball this year, but can hit some); OF Alex Llanos ('08 6th rounder, did well in AZL but struggled in IF last season), Gabe MacDougall ('09 draftee only got 8 games in before injury ended season last year), Derek Rodriguez, and Reggie Taylor. In my estimation, the most intriguing player on the roster and pitching staff is P Crawford Simmons, who just turned 19 and was KC's 2009 14th rounder out of a Georgia HS. As of now, the highest '10 pitching draftee on the roster is 12th round righty Daniel Hernandez out of a Florida JuCo. 14th round righty Michael Giovenco, 16th round righty Chas Byrne, 26th round righty Gates Dooley, 33rd round righty Cole Lohden, 37th rounder righty Robbie Penny, and NDFA righty Justin Mazur are the other newbies on the pitching staff. They're joined by righty Willian Avinazar, lefty Claudio Bavera (pitched well out of pen in AZL in '09), lefty Jonathon Keck, righty Leonel Santiago and righty Josh Worrell. Simmons will be the opening-day starter Tuesday. The Burlington (NC) Times-News reports draftees OF Whit Merrifield and P Jordan Propst will join the squad when South Carolina is done in the College World Series.

Rookie - AZL: season prevue

* The AZL Royals get into action Monday versus the Padres. I don't think their roster is up to date as of this writing, so we'll have to wait and see who's playing in Arizona. BA now has 26 of the Royals' 50 draftees marked as signed (see here), so I assume a few of them will be on the squad. I'll try to do a better breakdown on it Monday.