Royals on the Farm 8/31

I'm gonna save the August wrapup for each team's season end, since we're not that far away...

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 7, Round Rock 0 (5/1-hitter)

SS Falu 3-3, RBI (42), 2 RS -- .268
3B Moustakas 1-3, RBI (44), K, RS, E (9) -- .298
CF Dyson 2-3, RS -- .282
DH Maddox 2-3, 2B (18), 3B (2), RBI (36), RS -- .268
LF Lucas 1-2, SF, RBI (49), RS -- .312
C Clark 1-2, RBI (22), K -- .266
RF Parraz 0-2, RBI (58) -- .251

Lerew 5 IP, H, BB, 4 K -- W, 8-4, 2.60 ERA

* Mother Nature lent a helping hand as Omaha won a rain-shortened game. Jordan Parraz hit an RBI groundout in the 2nd and Omaha scored 4 in the 3rd on a Mike Moustakas RBI single, Ed Lucas sac fly, Marc Maddox RBI triple and Cody Clark RBI single. Irving Falu singled home a run in the 4th and an error scored another run to make it 7-0. Rain washed it out after the 5th as Anthony Lerew finished off a shortened 1-hitter. Omaha is 76-62. Mike Moustakas' 11 RBI Monday are an unofficial Omaha record as its the most by an O-Royal in a game since at least 1989. The PCL record is 14. It was the first 3-homer game for Omaha since Ken Harvey in 2002. Brian Bannister pitches game 3 Wednesday. In tonight's BS news, the official KC site is reporting Mike Moustakas is likely not getting a September callup. Guess who is? Josh Fields! Hooray! I hate Dayton Moore as a GM. He makes me not want to like the Royals anymore, and more than just a little.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 15, Arkansas 3

1B C. Robinson 4-5, 2 2B (39), 3 RBI (92), K, 2 RS -- .328
CF Orlando 3-5, S, HR (11), 2 RBI (61), K, 2 RS, SB (24) -- .310
C Pina 2-5, 2 2B (16), 2 RBI (43), RS -- .257
LF T. Smith 2-2, HR (9), 2 RBI (50), RS -- .303
3B Fields 2-4, BB, 2 2B (8), 2 RBI (9), 3 RS -- .436
LF-SS Seratelli 2-5, 3B (3), RBI (37), K, 2 RS, OF assist at third -- .258
DH Hosmer 1-5, 2B (12), 2 RBI (32), K, 2 RS -- .313
2B Giavotella 1-5, BB, HR (8), RBI (60), 2 K, RS -- .321
RF Van Stratten 1-5, K -- .267

Lamb 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, 5 K -- W, 2-1, 5.72 ERA
Sisk 3 IP, 4 H, 5 K -- 4.59 ERA
Barrera IP, nothing -- 1.96 ERA

* Two 3-inning bursts of scoring helped the Naturals cruise to the win. Josh Fields hit an RBI double and Clint Robinson hit an RBI single to make it 2-0 in the 1st. Eric Hosmer followed with a 2-run double, Josh Fields hit an RBI double and Clint Robinson hit an RBI single in the 2nd to make it 6-0. As John Lamb stayed perfect thru 3, the Nats added another run in the 3rd on a Paulo Orlando RBI single. Lamb faltered to allow 3 runs in the 4th. Brandon Sisk stranded 2 in the 6th and the Nats got back to work that inning on a Paulo Orlando solo homer for his 11th of the season, a Clint Robinson RBI double and 2-run Manny Pina double that made it 11-3. Tim Smith led off the 7th with his 9th homer and Johnny Giavotella hit his 8th homer to make it 13-3. The Naturals finished the scoring with 2 in the 8th on an Anthony Seratelli RBI triple and Tim Smith RBI single. The Naturals are 39-25. A cadre of Naturals are headed to the Arizona Fall League, including 1B Eric Hosmer, lefty Danny Duffy, righty Patrick Keating, lefty Mike Montgomery, IF Johnny Giavotella, and OF Derrick Robinson. C Salvador Perez will also hit the AFL from Wilmington.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 9, Myrtle Beach 4

DH Myers 2-4, BB, GS (4), 4 RBI (34), RS -- .339
CF Ortiz 2-3, BB, S, 2B (17), 2 RBI (33), 2 RS, SB (29) -- .285
2B Navarro 2-3, BB, 2B (11), K, RS -- .239
C S. Perez 2-4, 2B (20), RS -- .283
SS Colon 1-3, BB, SF, 2 RBI (29), RS -- .274
RF Francis 1-4, HR (13), RBI (55), RS -- .280

Paukovits 5 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 6 K, HRA, WP -- 5.51 ERA
Lafferty 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 K -- W, 3-1, 2.81 ERA
M. Baez IP, BB, K -- 4.28 ERA

* The Rocks poured it on in a 7-run 6th to beat the Pelicans. The Pelicans scored off Bryan Paukovits in the 1st but Christian Colon tied it with a sac fly in the 3rd. Myrtle Beach notched a 3-run homer in the 4th off Paukovits. Colon singled in a run in the 5th but the Royals were down, 4-2, going into the 6th. Nick Francis led off that inning with his 13th homer, Adrian Ortiz ripped a 2-run double and Wil Myers cranked a grand slam for his 4th homer for the Rocks to make it 9-4. From there it was up to Brendan Lafferty and Manauris Baez to end it. The Rocks are 33-30. Aaron Crow pitches game 3 Wednesday. The Rocks set a new franchise single-season K record as a pitching staff with 1,092 on the season thru Tuesday.

A - Burlington: Bees 9, Beloit 5

3B F. Cruz 3-5, RBI (21), 2 RS -- .213
2B D. Batista 2-5, 2 K, RS, SB (17) -- .228
1B Kuebler 1-4, SF, 2B (6), 2 RBI (20), 2 K -- .287
CF Merrifield 0-4, BB, 2 RBI (20), RS -- .233
C Theriot 1-4, BB, HR, RBI (17), 2 K, RS -- .276
RF Testa 1-2, 3 BB, RBI (47), RS -- .277
SS McClure 0-5, RBI (11), 3 K, E (3) -- .239

Hayenga 7 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, HRA -- W, 3-12, 6.14 ERA, he's on a tear
Kelley 0 IP, nothing -- 3.96 ERA
Hodge 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, K -- 6.57 ERA

* The Bees finally beat the Snappers behind a decent start from Keaton Hayenga. Beloit scored 2 in the 3rd but Hayenga only allowed a hit in the rest of his outing. Ben Theriot led off the 5th with his 1st homer of the season for the Bees, Fernando Cruz hit an RBI single and a 2-run error made it 4-1 Burlington. Jake Kuebler hit a 2-out RBI double in the 7th and the Bees scored 4 in the 8th on a Whit Merrifield bases-loaded walk, a run-scoring error, a bases-loaded Carlo Testa walk and Kuebler sac fly. Mitch Hodge allowed an inherited runner to score in the 8th and then allowed 2 more runs before finishing it in the 9th. The Bees are 21-40. A 3-game set at the Cedar Rapids Kernels (33-30, A Angels) starts Wednesday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: off day

* A 2-game set at the Ogden Raptors (16-12, Rookie Dodgers) starts Wednesday. OF Cameron Conner is being moved up after struggling through the AZL in his pro debut.

Rookie - Burlington: Danville 12, B-Royals 0

1B Baldwin 2-4, 2B (5), K -- .184
DH Escobar 2-3 -- .230
C Robertson 0-3, K -- .111

L. Santiago 3 IP, 8 R (7 ER), 8 H, BB, WP -- L, 6-3, 2.78 ERA
Mazur 3 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 2 K -- 5.34 ERA
Giovenco 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- 6.39 ERA

* The B-Royals didn't seem to care much about winning Tuesday after clinching a playoff spot Monday. They didn't take BP according to the team site, which also pretty much blows off Tuesday's 12-run loss. They threw Leonel Santiago out there for some reason and he got rocked over 3 IP before getting pulled early, I assume to hold him out for a possible game 2 or game 3 playoff start. (I stand corrected, B-Royals blog reports Willian Avinazar is set for game 2 and Jonathan Dooley for game 3 if necessary). Danville scored 5 in the 1st and was off to the races. The Royals stranded 2 twice. The Appy League wastes no time getting to the playoffs as the Royals will take on the Johnson City Cardinals (42-24) at home Wednesday in game 1 of a best-of-3. The other series pits Pulaski versus Elizabethton. Jon Keck starts the playoff opener.

Royals on the Farm 8/30 -- Moustakas explodes; B-Royals are playoff bound

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 23, Round Rock 5

3B Moustakas 4-6, 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI (!!), 4 RS -- .297, MiLB's box scores are screwed up tonight...anyway, get him to KC on Wednesday!
DH Maddox 3-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 RS -- .264
CF Dyson 3-6, RBI, 2 RS -- .275
SS Falu 3-5, 2 BB, K, 4 RS -- .263
1B Thorman 3-6, 2 2B, 3 RS -- .297
LF Lucas 3-5, BB, RBI, 2 RS -- .311
C May 1-2, BB, HBP, HR, 4 RBI, RS -- .291
RF Parraz 2-6, 2 RBI, K, 2 RS -- .252
PR-C Clark 2-2, 2B, RS -- .264

B. Hardy 5 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, K, 2 HRA -- W, 3-4, 3.55 ERA
G. Hernandez 2 2/3 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 5.14 ERA
Marte IP, 2 H -- 3.58 ERA

* An 11-run 3rd and Mike Moustakas' pyrotechnics on the day he earned a big minor-league honor fueled an Omaha win Monday. Round Rock stranded 2 in the 1st but got a 2-run homer in the 2nd to take the early lead. Jordan Parraz hit an RBI single in the 2nd and Marc Maddox added a 2-run double to get the night started for the Royals. Things blew up in the 3rd as Moustakas hit a 2-run homer for his 11th at AAA, Lucas May clubbed a 3-run homer for his 6th of the season, Parraz hit an RBI single, Jarrod Dyson hit a sac fly, Moustakas made it 2 longballs in an inning with a 3-run shot for his 12th for Omaha, and May hit an RBI groundout to make it 14-2. The Express scored in the 4th but Omaha answered with 4 runs on a 3-run Moustakas double and Ed Lucas RBI single. Round Rock scored 2 in the 6th but that was as close as the Express would get. A run-scoring wild pitch and run-scoring error made it 20-5, and Moustakas clubbed a 3-run homer in the 7th for his 3rd of the game and 13th at AAA in the 8th. Omaha is 75-62 and 3 games back. Anthony Lerew starts game 2 Tuesday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 6, Naturals 5

2B Giavotella 3-4, 2B (31), HR (7), RBI (59), 2 RS -- .323
3B Fields 2-4, 2 2B (6), 2 RBI (7), K, RS -- .429
DH C. Robinson 2-4 -- .323
RF Van Stratten 0-3, SF, RBI (34), K -- .269
CF D. Robinson 1-4, RS -- .285
1B Hosmer 1-3, BB, 2 K, RS -- .316

Montgomery 4 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 5 BB -- 3.53 ERA, yeesh, not on his game Monday
Paulino IP, BB, WP -- 4.26 ERA
Swaggerty 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 K -- 4.04 ERA
R. Hardy IP, ER, 4 H, BB -- BS, 4, L, 4-3, 3.60 ERA

* In a day in which the Nats reaped the best of the Texas League's honors, Mike Montgomery struggled and the Naturals blew a late lead. Nick Van Stratten hit a sac fly in the 2nd but Montgomery allowed the tying run in the bottom of the frame. Tulsa added 2 in the 3rd but Johnny Giavotella led off the 4th with his 7th homer of the season to cut the lead to 3-2. A Josh Fields double scored 3 runs in the 8th thanks also to a Tulsa error as the Naturals took a 5-3 lead. Rowdy Hardy came in with 2 on and 2 out in the 8th and gave up a 2-run game-tying single to, who else, Tulsa DH and Nats killer Charles Blackmon. With 2 on and 2 out in the 9th, Hardy gave up a walkoff single to end it. NWA is 38-25. A 4-game home set with the Arkansas Travelers (27-36, AA Angels) starts Tuesday. Mike Moustakas was named TL Player of the Year, and Brian Poldberg was named TL Manager of the Year Monday. Clint Robinson, Johnny Giavotella, Moustakas, Paulo Orlando and Derrick Robinson were named TL Postseason All Stars. The honors continued as John Lamb was named TL Pitcher of the Week after 6 1/3 hitless IP.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Myrtle Beach 5, Blue Rocks 3

2B Navarro 2-4, 2B, RBI -- .235, box score is messed up
CF Norris 2-3, RS -- .243
C Myers 1-4, RBI, K -- .335
LF Ortiz 0-4, 2 K -- .282
SS Colon 0-3, RS -- .274

Melville 7 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 5 K, HRA -- L, 2-12, 4.96 ERA
Basurto IP, H -- 3.80 ERA
Hodgson IP, UER, 2 H, BB, K -- 4.22 ERA

* The Pelicans dealt Tim Melville another loss to start the series. A 2-run triple broke the scoreless tie in the 5th and the batter scored on a Christian Colon error on the play. The Rocks were being 1-hit thru 5 but Patrick Norris scored on an error and Wil Myers hit an RBI single in the 6th to cut the lead to 3-2. Melville allowed a solo homer in the 7th and Ivor Hodgson allowed a run in the 9th. Rey Navarro hit an RBI double in the 9th but the Rocks couldn't rally. The Rocks are 32-30 and 2 games back. Bryan Paukovits pitches game 2 Tuesday.

A - Burlington: Beloit 7, Bees 3

CF Merrifield 2-4, BB, 2B (7), RBI (18), picked off -- .239
LF Aparicio 2-5, 2 2B (4), RBI (7) -- .208
SS McClure 0-3, 2 BB, RBI (10) -- .253
RF Testa 0-4, BB, 2 K, E (5) -- .276
1B Kuebler 0-2, 3 BB, K -- .288

Sample 4 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, 6 BB, 4 K, WP -- L, 5-10, 4.90 ERA, another wild night for Tyler
R. Wood 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H -- 8.59 ERA
Byrne 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- 7.20 ERA

* Beloit nicked up Tyler Sample en route to the win. The Bees drew 4 walks in the 1st but managed to not score a run as Whit Merrifield was picked off in the inning. Julio Aparicio hit an RBI double in the 2nd but Sample issued 3 walks and 2 RBI singles in the 2nd before leaving the bases loaded. The Bees left 'em loaded in the 3rd and Sample gave up a 2-run triple and run-scoring passed ball to make it 5-1 Snappers. Alex McClure hit an RBI groundout in the 4th but the Snappers scored 2 in the 5th off Ryan Wood. Merrifield doubled in a run in the 6th but the Bees left the bases full in the 8th and stranded 1 in the 9th. The Bees are 20-40. The series wraps up Tuesday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena and IF are tied at 3 in the 9th

SS Trapp 2-3, BB, K, 2 RS -- .242, as previously noted, box scores are messed up for home teams tonight
LF Culver 3-4, 2B, RS -- .210
DH Zebroski 0-4, 2 K -- .250
1B Watts 0-3, RBI, 2 K -- .275

L. Perez 6 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 10 K, HRA -- 5.72 ERA
J. Mitchell 1 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 BB -- 5.73 ERA

* Helena has blown 2 leads as the game goes to the 9th. The Brew Crew scored in the 1st and 2nd but Murray Watts hit a sac fly in the 4th and a run-scoring error tied the game in the 7th. Leondy Perez had a good start as he K'd 10 over 6 2/3 but Jason Mitchell allowed a run in the 8th and another Helena error helped IF tie it in the bottom of the inning. IF has Tuesday off.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 3, Danville 2

C Escobar 2-4, RBI (15), 2 K -- .218, came up big last 2 games
3B Y. Figueroa 2-4 -- .257
DH Jenkins 1-3, BB, RBI (23), K -- .273
SS Liberto 1-4, BB, 3 K -- .226
1B Stovall 1-4, CS (8) -- .303
CF Llanos 1-4, 2B (15), 2 K, RS -- .259

Simmons 5 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 WP -- W, 6-2, 2.77 ERA
Leaper 0 IP, ER, H, BB -- 3.00 ERA
Bavera IP, K -- 4.50 ERA
Penny 3 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- SV, 5, 1.75 ERA

* Crawford Simmons and 3 relievers made 3 early Royals runs stand up for the win as Burlington clinched the second Appy East playoff spot. Ryan Jenkins hit an RBI groundout in the 1st and Simmons stranded 2 Braves. Alex Llanos doubled and scored on an error in the 2nd and Edul Escobar hit an RBI single to make it 3-0. Simmons stranded 2 in the 3rd but the Braves finally pushed across a run in the 5th. Claudio Bavera came in with 2 on and 0 out in the 6th and allowed a run before stranding 2. Ryan Stovall came up with a big play in the inning as he nailed a runner at the plate from first to keep the lead alive. Robert Penny stranded 2 in the 7th and faced little trouble in the 8th or 9th for his 5th save. The Royals are 34-33 heading into the final game of the regular season. They will face the Johnson City Cardinals in the best-of-3 first round of the Appy League playoffs. It's Burlington's first playoff bid since 1993.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals came back to beat the Dodgers, 5-4, Sunday, but the Reds won the wild card via tiebreak to go to the playoffs

* The Royals tied it in the 6th with an RBI double by Mike Antonio and a Jorge Bonifacio RBI single, then added 3 in the 7th on a Jerico Blanco RBI groundout, Darian Sandford RBI single and Daniel Mateo RBI double. Parker Bangs gave up 2 runs in the 8th but Bonifacio threw a runner out at third from right to end the inning. Tyler Gatrell struck out the side in the 9th to end it. The Royals finished 31-25.

AZL wrapup....OPS leaders (* leads team): Henry Moreno .994 (.327*/.396*/.599*, 32 RS*, 22 2B*, 5 3B, 4 HR, 32 RBI*, 16 BB/39 K, 10 E in 45 G/162 ABs...nice season for Henry); Ysmelin Alcantara .777 (.262/.321/.456, 14 RS, 8 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR*, 22 RBI, 10 BB/49 K, 4/6 SB, 3 E in 44 G/149 ABs...had some flashes, numbers aren't great); Mike Antonio .726 (.264/.297/.429, 19 RS, 14 2B, 5 3B, HR, 12 RBI, 8 BB/31 K, 7/11 SB, 15 E in 40 G/163 ABs...looked like he was fresh out of HS); Darian Sandford .725 (.279/.364/.361, 28 RS, 4 2B, 3 3B, 9 RBI, 16 BB/36 K, 30/36 SB*, 3 E in 38 G/122 ABs....I liked it, did a little bit of everything, hope he develops a little more pop); and Jose Rodriguez .652 (.266/.316/.336, 22 RS, 2 2B, 4 3B, 17 RBI, 7 BB/29 K, 13/19 SB, 10 E in 39 G/143 ABs....meh). Others....Cheslor Cuthbert posted a .754 in 18 games before moving up to Idaho Falls. Cameron Conner hit for a .633 OPS in his pro debut and led the team with 6 3B but also 58 Ks with only 14 BB. IF Daniel Mateo led the team with 21 E as well as 52 G and 206 ABs while hitting for only a .605 OPS. C Jin-Ho Shin made his American debut but struggled to a .480 OPS with a .152 BA in 39 G/125 ABs. He did lead the team with 21 BB to go with 49 K. C Alex Marquez hit for a .462 OPS in his pro debut of 26 games, and Jerico Blanco hit for a measly .398 OPS in his 33 games.

WHIP leaders....Brennon Martin 0.86 (moved up at end of season, 3-2, 2.57 ERA, 4 BB/29 K in 6 games/3 starts and 28 IP, can't complain there); Allen Caldwell 0.89 (2-1, 2.19, 4 BB/18 K in 8 games/1 start and 12 1/3 IP); Jordan Roualdes 0.95 (moved up, 0-0, 0.71, 1 SV, 3 BB/11 K in 7 G/12 2/3 IP, hasn't fared as well in IF); Chase Boruff 1.00 (0-1, 1.80, 3 SV, 4 BB/11 K in 6 G/10 IP); and Eric Diaz 1.06 (1-1, 5.29, 2 HRA, 7 BB/20 K in 12 G/6 starts and 17 IP). Lots of marginal pen guys there. Others...Robinson Yambati 1.16 (8*-2, 2.71, 12 BB/64 K* in 14 G/6 starts and 66 1/3 IP*, good line there). Jonathan Rodriguez 1.19 (3.33, 3 HRA, 9 BB/48 K in 54 IP, nice pro debut). Dylan Lindsay 1.24 (4.61, HRA, 2 BB/6 K in 13 2/3 IP, South African doesn't exactly dazzle in US debut). Yordano Ventura 1.25 (4-2, 3.25, 3 HRA, 17 BB/58 K in 14 G/52 2/3 IP, good K rate, had his moments). Rudy Brown 1.27 (2.52, 10 BB/40 K in 39 1/3 IP). Tyler Gatrell 1.29 (1.29, 12 SV*, 11 BB/40 K in 20 G*/21 IP, NDFA stood out for Royals). See the rest here.

Royals on the Farm 8/29 -- Thorman cycles

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 8, O-Royals 7

1B Thorman 4-5, 2B (27), 3B (2), HR (21), RBI (81), 2 RS -- .274
CF Dyson 2-5, 2 RBI (16), K, RS -- .267
SS Falu 2-5, 3B (5), RBI (41), E (22) -- .260
LF Lucas 2-5, 2B (20), RBI (47), K -- .307
3B Moustakas 1-5, HR (10), RBI (32), K, RS -- .286
C Clark 2-3, BB, 2B (20), RBI (21) -- .256
RF Parraz 0-3, S -- .251

Mendoza 7 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 9 H, BB, 3 K, pickoff -- 4.08 ERA
B. Anderson IP, 2 ER, 2 H, K -- 3.60 ERA
Collins IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, L, 2-1, 1.50 ERA, first AAA misstep

* Omaha blew 2 leads in the game as a 4-run Iowa 9th got the job done for the Cubs. Mike Moustakas hit a solo homer for his 10th at AAA in the 1st and Ed Lucas added an RBI single to make it 2-0. Cody Clark hit an RBI double in the 2nd and Scott Thorman, who had doubled and scored in the 1st, went deep for his 21st homer of the season in the 3rd to make it 4-0. Luis Mendoza gave up 4 straight singles to start the 4th and an Irving Falu error helped Iowa tie the game in the rally. Thorman hit a 1-out triple in the 5th but was left at third with only a single left for the cycle. That came in the 7th as he finished off the cycle but was again stranded. Jarrod Dyson hit a 2-run single in the 8th and Falu hit an RBI triple to make it 7-4 O-Royals. Tim Collins came in with 2 on and 0 out in the 9th and got 2 outs before loading the bases, allowing a 2-run single and a 2-run double to turn the game around. Omaha went down in order in the 9th. Omaha is 74-62. The Royals will put Rosenblatt Stadium to bed with a 4-game set versus the Round Rock Express (55-81, AAA Astros) starting Monday. Blaine Hardy starts game 1.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 3, Tulsa 1

1B Hosmer 2-4, RS -- .316
3B Fields 1-4, 2 RBI (5) -- .419
DH C. Robinson 1-4, RBI (89) -- .321
CF D. Robinson 1-3, BB, RS, SB (50) -- .285
2B Giavotella 1-4, K, RS -- .319
RF Van Stratten 1-4, OF assist at first -- .271
LF Orlando 0-4 -- .306
The Rocks turned 4 DPs.

B. Johnson 7 IP, ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 4-3, 4.00 ERA
Keating 2 IP, H, 2 K -- SV, 10, 3.35 ERA

* A 3-run rally backed Blake Johnson's good start for NW Arkansas Sunday. The Nats stranded 2 in the 2nd and Johnson and Tulsa SP Brandon Durden continued to duel. Johnson allowed a run on 2 hits in the 5th but NWA's offense answered with 3 in the 6th on a 2-run Josh Fields single and Clint Robinson RBI single. Johnson and Patrick Keating took it from there. The Naturals are 38-24. The series ends Monday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Lynchburg 4, Blue Rocks 3 (10)

SS Colon 3-5, RS, SB, E (15) -- .277
DH S. Perez 1-3, BB, 2B (19), RBI (52) -- .280
3B Prasch 1-3, SF, RBI (17), K -- .201
LF Ortiz 0-5, 2 K -- .285
C Myers 1-4, BB, 2B (15), K -- .337

W. Smith 8 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 5 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 3.02 ERA
Chapman 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, K -- L, 1-1, 6.19 ERA

* The Hillcats scored the last 3 runs of the game starting in the 5th to drop the Rocks. Christian Colon scored on a wild pitch before the Rocks stranded 2 in the 1st. Will Smith gave up a solo homer in the 2nd but Salvador Perez doubled in a run and Eddie Prasch hit a sac fly to make it 3-1 in the 4th. Smith allowed another solo homer in the 5th and back-to-back triples in the 6th tied the game. Colon made a 1-out error in the 10th and a walkoff single ended the game. The Rocks are 32-29 and 1 1/2 games back. A 4-game home set with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (29-34, A-Adv. Braves) starts Monday. Tim Melville starts game 1.

A - Burlington: Beloit 11, Bees 5

1B Kuebler 2-5, 2B (5), 2 RBI (18), K, RS -- .292
SS McClure 2-5, RBI (9), 2 K, RS -- .263
RF Testa 2-3, 2 BB, 2B (12), 2 RS -- .279
C Theriot 1-4, 2 RBI (16), K -- .282
CF Merrifield 1-4, BB, K, picked off, OF assist at second -- .232

Odenbach 4 IP, 6 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP, balk -- L, 8-10, 5.20 ERA
Encarnacion IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, HRA -- 7.36 ERA
De La Rosa 3 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- 3.00 ERA

* Beloit went on a tear from the 3rd thru the 6th to take down the Bees. Dusty Odenbach worked in and out of trouble in the 1st and 2nd and finally gave up 2 runs in the 3rd. Ben Theriot hit a 2-run single in the 4th but Odenbach gave up 4 runs that inning to make it 6-2. Alex McClure singled in a run in the 5th but the Bees left the bases full. Rodolfo Encarnacion allowed a run in the 5th then gave up 4 runs in the 6th to make it 11-3. Jake Kuebler hit a 2-run single in the 7th but the Bees threatened no more. The Bees are 20-39. Game 3 is Monday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena 9, Chukars 2

CF Polonia 1-3, BB, RBI (5), 2 K, SB (6), CS (4) -- .200
SS Trapp 1-4, RBI (15), K -- .236
DH Espinal 1-2, 2 BB, CS (6) -- .283
1B Watts 0-3, BB, K -- .279
3B Zebroski 0-4, 2 K -- .258
C Cornstubble 0-2, BB, K, RS, picked off runner -- .308

Peacock 2 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, WP -- L, 0-5, 6.86 ERA
Graffeo 3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 2.53 ERA
Alexander 2 IP, 3 H, BB, K -- 5.73 ERA
Carl 2 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 6.39 ERA

* Despite his last outing as part of a combined no-hitter, Brian Peacock was still looking for his 1st win of 2010 Sunday. Unfortunately he didn't get it. A 2-run double in the 1st gave the Brewers the lead and they added 2 more in the 2nd off Peacock. Juan Polonia and Justin Trapp hit RBI singles in the 3rd but Polonia was caught stealing home and IF stranded 2. Helena added a solo homer in the 5th and 4 more runs in the late innings. IF didn't rally again. IF is 7-21. The series ends Monday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 4, Danville 3

2B Piterson 2-4, 2B (15), HR (6), RBI (27), RS -- .266
CF Llanos 1-3, RBI (26), RS -- .259
C Escobar 1-3, 3B, RBI (14), 2 K -- .209
SS Liberto 0-3, S -- .224
1B Stovall 0-3, BB, 2 K, SB (12) -- .304
DH Jenkins 1-2, 2 BB, K, 2 RS -- .272

Dooley 6 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, BB, K, E, pickoff -- 4.35 ERA
Ramsey 1 1/3 IP, H, BB, WP -- W, 1-0, 7.04 ERA, first pro win is clutch
Bavera IP, nothing -- SV, 2, 4.65 ERA

* The B-Royals have made it a 2-game season as Sunday's win over Danville set up a showdown with the Braves in Danville for the final division playoff spot. Jonathan Dooley allowed 2 runs in the 1st but a double-play ball scored Ryan Jenkins in the 2nd to cut the lead in half. Dooley held the line and Luis Piterson tied it in the 6th with his 6th homer of the season. A Dooley error helped the Braves regain the lead in the 7th but Alex Llanos hit an RBI single and Edul Escobar hit a big 2-out RBI triple to make it 4-3 Royals in the bottom of the inning. Jake Ramsey allowed a leadoff triple in the 9th to get pulled for Claudio Bavera, who got a big play from 3B Yunior Figueroa, who got the runner out at third and nailed the runner at first to thwart the threat. Bavera stranded 1 to finish it for his 2nd save. Burlington is 33-33 as the series heads to Danville for Monday's game 3.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals are down, 2-0, to the Dodgers in the 5th

SS Antonio 1-2, 2B (13) -- .261
DH Sandford 0-2, K -- .267
C Shin 0-1, HBP -- .154
CF Conner 0-0, S -- .216
RF Jorge Bonifacio had an assist at second.

Ventura 3 IP, UER, 2 H, BB, 4 K, E (2) -- 3.25 ERA
J. Pimentel IP, UER, 2 H, K -- 4.32 ERA

* The Royals are in a must-win situation Sunday to keep their season alive in the season finale. Yordano Ventura made a throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the 3rd and a single scored the game's first run. A Daniel Mateo error in the 4th helped the Dodgers add a run on another 2-out single to make it 2-0. The Royals are being blanked on 3 hits right now.

Royals on the Farm 8/28

A rare double post day. I typed up yesterday's post last night but wasn't smart enough to publish the post.

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, Iowa 4

3B Moustakas 2-3, BB, 2B (13), HR (9), 4 RBI (31), RS -- .288
C May 2-4, 2 2B (20), RBI (54), K, E (4), PB (14) -- .291
CF Dyson 1-3, BB, K, RS, SB (11) -- .263
LF Lough 0-2, BB, S, 2 RS -- .279
SS Lucas 0-3, BB -- .305
RF Parraz 0-4, K -- .253

Hochevar 2 IP, H, BB, K -- 0.00 ERA, so far so good
Coleman 3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 5-2, 2.50 ERA
Meche 2 IP, BB, 3 K -- 8.31 ERA, that's 2/5 of the April KC starting rotation rehabbing for Omaha Saturday
Rupe IP, 2 ER, 2 H, HRA -- 3.10 ERA
Collins IP, K -- SV, 3, 0.53 ERA

* Four runs in the 5th were enough to get Omaha another win over the Cubs. Mike Moustakas doubled in a run in the 1st and Omaha stranded 2 in the 3rd. A bases loaded walk and HBP by Louis Coleman made it 2-1 Iowa in the 5th. Moustakas stepped to the plate with 2 on and 1 out that inning and answered the call with his 9th AAA longball before Lucas May added an RBI double later in the inning to make it 5-2 Royals. Josh Rupe gave up a 2-run homer in the 8th but Tim Collins pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save. Omaha is 74-61. Luis Mendoza starts Sunday's series finale.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 8, Naturals 4

2B Giavotella 3-5, 2 2B (30), 2 RBI (58), 2 K, RS -- .320
SS McConnell 2-4, 2B (18), K, RS -- .234
CF D. Robinson 1-4, BB, K, RS, SB (49) -- .285
1B Hosmer 0-4, K -- .311
DH C. Robinson 1-3, BB, 2B (37) -- .322
RF Orlando 0-4, 2 K -- .309

Duffy 4 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, WP -- L, 4-2, 3.38 ERA
Bowden 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- 7.56 ERA
Sisk IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K -- 4.81 ERA

* Tulsa ripped into Danny Duffy to get the win Saturday. Johnny Giavotella doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the 1st but Tulsa scored 2 in the 2nd and another run in the 4th to make it 3-1. The pressure continued as Tulsa scored 2 in the 5th but Giavotella hit an RBI double in the 6th to cut it to 5-2. A run-scoring error and Giavotella RBI single trimmed the lead to 5-4 in the 7th but Tulsa did all the scoring from there. The Drillers scored 2 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th as the Nats stranded a runner in each of the last 2 innings. The Naturals are 37-24. Game 2 is Sunday.

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

C S. Perez 2-4, HR (7), RBI (51), K, RS -- .280
LF Ortiz 0-3, BB, SB (28) -- .289
SS Colon 1-4, 2 K -- .270
DH Myers 1-3, BB -- .339

Baumann 6 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- 2.27 ERA
J. Cuevas 2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, K, HRA -- L, 4-8, 5.57 ERA

* Lynchburg pulled away late to upend the Rocks. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 5th and Buddy Baumann gave up a solo homer in the 5th but Salvador Perez tied it with a solo homer in the 7th for his 7th of the season. Jairo Cuevas allowed a run on 2 hits in the bottom of the inning, tho, and the Rocks left the bases full in the 8th. Cuevas served up a solo homer in the 8th and the Rocks didn't threaten in the 9th. The Rocks are 32-28 and 1 1/2 games back. Will Smith starts Sunday's series finale.

A - Burlington: Beloit 5, Bees 4

C Bonilla 3-4, 2 RBI (38), RS, SB (3) -- .245
LF H. Richardson 3-4, RBI (36), SB (30) -- .199
1B Kuebler 1-3, SF, 2B (4), RBI (16) -- .288
CF Merrifield 1-4, S, K -- .231
SS McClure 1-4, 2B (6), K, RS -- .253
RF Testa 0-4, K, OF assist at home -- .276

Marimon 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, K, pickoff -- 6.09 ERA
Hodge 1 2/3 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, K -- 6.46 ERA
Morizio 1/3 IP, UER, H, K, E -- L, 1-2, 6.39 ERA

* The Bees tied it in the 8th but Beloit came back to win it in the 9th. Hilton Richardson hit a 2-out RBI single in the 2nd and Jake Kuebler hit a sac fly before a Jose Bonilla single made it 3-0 in the 3rd. Beloit got a run in the 4th off Sugar Ray Marimon, then another in the 5th, then another in the 6th to tie it before Carlo Testa threw a runner out at the plate to end the rally. Beloit kept it consistent with a run in the 7th to take the lead but Bonilla tied it with an RBI groundout in the 8th. A Deivy Batista error in the 9th put Matt Morizio in dire straits with 0 out and Morizio made a throwing error on a sac bunt attempt to allow the winning run to score. The Bees are 20-38. Game 2 is Sunday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena 9, Chukars 1

3B Zebroski 1-4, K, E (8) -- .267, that's IF's only hit
SS Trapp 0-3, BB, RBI (14), E (30) -- .236
DH Watts 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .283
C Cornstubble 0-3, E (5) -- .320

Blauer 5 1/3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K, WP -- L, 2-1, 6.15 ERA
Roualdes 3 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- 6.27 ERA

* Helena scored 8 unanswered runs to roll to the win. The Brewers broke the ice by scoring off Chad Blauer in the 3rd but IF tied it on a Justin Trapp RBI groundout that inning. Two IF runners put Helena on top in the 5th and the Brewers scored 4 in the 6th off Blauer and Jordan Roualdes. Roualdes gave up a 3-run homer in the 7th and IF's only hit came in the 2nd. The last 12 Chukars went down in order. IF is 7-20. Helena won, 14-6, Friday. Game 3 is Sunday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 4, Danville 3

DH Jenkins 2-4, 2 RBI (22), RS -- .269
3B-1B Stovall 2-3, BB, 2B (15), RBI (24), K -- .308
C Escobar 0-3, RBI (13), K -- .205
SS Liberto 1-3, S -- .236
CF Llanos 1-4, K, OF assist at second -- .258
1B Baldwin 1-2, K, E (16) -- .176

Avinazar 7 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 6-3, 2.63 ERA
Giovenco 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 2, 6.64 ERA

* One win down for the Royals in the biggest series of the season. Danville scored 2 in the 1st off Willian Avinazar but he settled down from there. A run scored on an Edul Escobar double play in the 2nd but Alex Llanos was thrown out at home on the play to end the inning. The Royals stranded 2 in the 3rd and the Braves made it 3-1 in the 4th. Ryan Jenkins tied it with a 2-out, 2-run single in the 5th and Ryan Stovall came through with a 2-out RBI double in the 7th to give the Royals the lead. Mike Giovenco pitched 2 good innings for his 2nd pro save. The Royals are 32-33 and only a game back of the Braves for the 2nd divisional playoff spot. The home finale is Sunday before the series shifts to Danville for two games. Jonathan Dooley starts Sunday.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 3, Mariners 2

1B Moreno 2-3, BB, 2B (22), K, RS -- .327
SS Antonio 0-4, RBI (11) -- .258
LF Sandford 1-4, 2B (4), RS, SB (29) -- .271, makes good things happen
C Marquez 0-3, BB, 2 K, E (2) -- .141

Yambati 6 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 4 K -- W, 8-2, 2.71 ERA
White 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Boruff IP, 2 K -- SV, 3, 1.80 ERA

* A 2-run Royals 6th helped them keep their playoff hopes alive. Robinson Yambati allowed a run in the 1st but Darian Sandford led off the 4th with a double, stole third and scored on a Michael Antonio groundout to tie it. The Royals left the bases full in the 5th and scored 2 in the 6th on a Henry Moreno RBI single and run-scoring wild pitch. The pitching staff took it from there as they finished the win. The Royals are 30-25 and a game back of the Reds for the wild card slot with 1 game left. The Rangers clinched the division title with a win Saturday. The Royals play the Dodgers in the season finale Sunday.

Royals on the Farm 8/27

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 9, O-Royals 8

SS Lucas 3-5, K, RS, E (12) -- .308
2B Maddox 2-4, 2B (15), HR (2), 3 RBI (33), RS -- .263
3B Moustakas 2-4, SF, 2B (12), RBI (27), 2 RS -- .282
CF Dyson 2-4, BB, 2B (10), K, 2 RS -- .261
1B Thorman 0-3, BB, RBI (80), K, RS -- .268
DH May 1-4, RBI (53), K -- .288
LF Lough 0-4, S -- .279
RF Parraz 0-4, K -- .255

Bannister 2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 6.75 ERA
Osuna 5 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 4 K, 3 HRA -- 10.38 ERA
G. Hernandez 2 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 5.24 ERA

* Omaha made a late run at the Cubs but came up short. Jarrod Dyson doubled and scored on a Mike Moustakas sac fly in the 1st to give Omaha the lead. Brian Bannister's rehab outing was marred by a 3-run homer in the 2nd and Edgar Osuna got ripped for 6 runs in his 5 innings of work as Iowa stretched the lead. Scott Thorman hit an RBI groundout in the 6th and Marc Maddox doubled in a run to cut the lead to 8-3. The lead was 9-3 going into the 8th when Lucas May hit an RBI groundout and Maddox followed with a 2-run homer for his 2nd of the season to trim the lead to 9-6. Irving Falu scored on an error in the 9th, as did Dyson as the Royals had 1 on with 0 out, but Moustakas flew out and Ed Lucas hit into a game-ending DP. Omaha is 73-61. Luke Hochevar is set for a rehab start Saturday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Springfield 0 (3-hitter)

3B Fields 3-4, 2 2B (4), RBI (3), 2 RS, SB, E -- .444
1B Hosmer 2-4, HR (12), RBI (30), 2 RS -- .319
CF D. Robinson 2-5, SB (48) -- .285
RF-LF Orlando 1-4, 2B (21), RBI (59), RS -- .313
LF T. Smith 1-2, RBI (48), K -- .302, ejected in 4th after K looking
2B Giavotella 1-5, K -- .317
DH C. Robinson 0-4, K -- .322, rare 0-fer for Clint this season
RF Van Stratten 0-2, K -- .272

Teaford 5 IP, H, 3 BB, 5 K -- W, 13-3, 3.50 ERA, keeps rolling
Swaggerty 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 3.86 ERA
Barrera 2 IP, 5 K -- 2.05 ERA

* Everett Teaford took care of business once again as he led the way to a 3-hit shutout of the Cardinals. Paulo Orlando hit an RBI double and Tim Smith singled home a run in the 2nd. Teaford's biggest test came in the 4th when he walked the bases loaded but left them that way. Josh Fields hit an RBI double in the 6th and scored on an error to make it 4-0 NWA. Eric Hosmer led off the 8th with his 12th homer for the Naturals and Henry Barrera got 5 of his 6 outs via the K to end it. NWA is 37-23. A 3-game set at the Tulsa Drillers (34-26, AA Rockies) starts Saturday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 8, Lynchburg 7 (12)

C S. Perez 3-5, SF, HR (6), 4 RBI (50) -- .277
LF Ortiz 3-6, 2 2B (16), RBI (31), CS (14) -- .291
RF Francis 2-6, 2B (23), RBI (54), 2 K, 2 RS, E (6) -- .287, gotta say, he has consistently produced this season
1B Mejia 3-6, K, RS -- .307
3B Prasch 2-6, 2B (11), RBI (16) -- .204
CF Norris 2-4, S, K, RS, SB (29), OF assists at home and third -- .242
SS Colon 1-5, BB, RBI (27), CS (4) -- .270
DH Myers 1-5, BB, 3 K, 2 RS -- .339

Crow 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 5.79 ERA
Lafferty 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K -- 2.93 ERA
Dennick 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, K -- W, 2-0, 4.66 ERA
Baez 1/3 IP, H -- SV, 2, 4.34 ERA

* A wild 12th ended with the Rocks 1 run better than the Hillcats. Aaron Crow gave up a 2-run homer in the 2nd but a Christian Colon RBI single in the 3rd cut the lead to 2-1. Lynchburg scored another run on 3 hits in the 3rd but Salvador Perez smacked a 2-run homer in the 4th for his 6th of the season to tie it at 3. Lynchburg moved back ahead in the 6th and added a run off Brendan Lafferty in the 7th. Perez hit a 2-out RBI single in the 8th and Adrian Ortiz came through with a game-tying double in the 9th. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 10th and the 5-5 tie held into the 12th. Nick Francis broke it open with an RBI double followed by a Perez sac fly and Eddie Prasch RBI double that made it 8-5 Rocks. Ryan Dennick was pulled with 2 out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning as Manauris Baez allowed a 2-run single before getting the last out. The Rocks are 32-27 and a 1/2 game back. Buddy Baumann starts game 2 Saturday.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 7, Bees 3

LF Aparicio 3-4, OF assist at home -- .194
3B F. Cruz 1-4, RBI (20) -- .213
CF Merrifield 1-5, K -- .231
RF Testa 1-2, 2 BB, K, 2 RS, SB (28) -- .278
1B Kuebler 1-5, K -- .287
The Bees stranded 10.

M. Mitchell 6 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K, HRA, 2 WP -- L, 1-8, 5.54 ERA
Kelley 2 IP, 2 BB, K -- 3.96 ERA
Byrne IP, 3 H -- 12.00 ERA

* The Rattlers made much more with their 9 hits than the Bees did with theirs. The Bees stranded 2 in the 1st but took the lead in the 2nd with a run-scoring wild pitch. Wisconsin tied it off Matt Mitchell in the 3rd and surged ahead with 4 in the 4th. They added 2 more in the 6th off Mitchell to make it 7-1. Carlo Testa scored on another wild pitch in the 6th and Fernando Cruz singled in a run before the Bees left 'em loaded in the 8th. They stranded 1 in the 9th. The Bees are 20-37. A 4-game set at the Beloit Snappers (29-28, A Twins) starts Saturday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena is up, 11-6, on the Chukars in the 8th

3B Zebroski 3-3, 2 2B (8), 2 RBI (18), RS, 2 E (7) -- .270, has found groove with IF
SS Trapp 1-3, BB, 2B (10), 2 RBI (13) -- .236
DH Watts 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .288
C David 1-3, RS -- .277
RF Geulin Beltre had an assist at second.

B. Martin 5 2/3 IP, 10 R (4 ER), 13 H, 4 K, 2 HRA, 2 WP -- 3.00 ERA
Caldwell 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K, WP -- 9.53 ERA

* Helena took an 11-0 lead before Idaho Falls rallied back into the game in the 7th. Brennon Martin gave up 5 runs in the 2nd and 2 more in the 4th before getting chased in a 3-run Helena 6th. The Chukars' offense had sputtered before it got going in the 7th as Geulin Beltre doubled and scored on an error, Tom Zebroski hit a 2-run double, and Justin Trapp hit a 2-run double that scored 3 runs thanks to another run on a throw. The Chukars still have work to do going into the 8th, tho. Game 2 is Saturday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 4, Kingsport 3

DH Jenkins 3-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (20), K, RS, CS (3) -- .263
CF Llanos 1-4, HR, RBI (25), K, RS -- .258
SS Liberto 0-4, K -- .231
1B Stovall 0-4 -- .303
C Robertson 0-3, 2 K, 2 E -- .121

Keck 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 5 K, WP -- W, 3-3, 4.68 ERA
D. Hernandez 2 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 K -- 2.19 ERA
Penny IP, H -- SV, 4, 1.87 ERA

* Burlington grabbed an early lead and latched onto it. Ryan Jenkins went deep for his 3rd pro homer for a 2-run shot in the 1st and a run-scoring error made it 3-0 Royals in the 2nd. Jonathon Keck allowed a run in the 3rd but Alex Llanos hit a leadoff homer in the 4th for his 1st of the season. Kingsport picked up another run off Keck in the 5th and Daniel Hernandez allowed a run in the 7th but Robert Penny got a caught stealing at home in the 9th and escaped the inning with his 4th save. The Royals are 31-33 and enter the final 4 games with Danville two games behind the Braves (33-31) for the final APL East playoff spot. The Royals have to win 3 of 4 to force a tie. Willian Avinazar starts game 1.

Rookie - AZL: The Rangers are up, 7-2, on the Royals going into the 9th

RF Alcantara 2-3, 2B (8), HR (5), RBI (22), K, RS -- .267
3B Mateo 1-3, BB, RBI (24), K -- .217
LF Sandford 0-3, BB, K, RS, SB (28), OF assist at home -- .272
SS Antonio 0-4, K -- .265
1B Moreno 0-3 -- .323
C Shin 0-3, 3 K, E (7) -- .156
DH Conner 1-3, 2 K, SB (10) -- .216

J. Soto 4 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 5 K, 2 WP -- 4.74 ERA
R. Brown IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, WP -- 2.52 ERA
J. Sanchez 2 IP, 2 H, BB -- 3.60 ERA
Kriech IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, K, WP -- 6.55 ERA

* The Royals are in danger of falling 1 1/2 games back of the Rangers with 2 games left on the sked. Both teams scored a run in the 1st as Daniel Mateo singled home Darian Sandford. The situation repeated itself as both teams scored in the 2nd with the Royals' run coming on an Ysmelin Alcantara solo shot for his 5th of the season. The Rangers kept it going with a run in the 3rd but the Royals stopped keeping up. The Rangers added 2 in the 5th off Rudy Brown and 2 in the 8th off Kyle Kriech. They have made it 8-2 in the 9th. The Royals are in the hunt for the 1 AZL wild-card playoff spot but a loss won't help their cause versus the Reds and A's.

Royals on the Farm 8/26 -- Lamb returns to form

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 7, O-Royals 6

3B Moustakas 2-5, 2B (11), HR (8), 3 RBI (26), 2 RS -- .277
LF Lough 2-4, BB, RS -- .281
2B Falu 0-2, BB, SF, 2 RBI (40) -- .259
1B Thorman 1-4, BB, RBI (79), 2 K, RS -- .270
CF Dyson 1-5, RS -- .255
SS Lucas 1-4, HBP, K -- .303
RF Parraz 1-5, K -- .258
Omaha stranded 11.

Herges 4 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HRA -- L, 7-4, 4.91 ERA
Castaneda 2 1/3 IP, 3 BB, 2 K -- 3.74 ERA
B. Anderson IP, BB -- 0.00 ERA
Marte IP, BB, K -- 3.68 ERA

* A 9th-inning Omaha rally wasn't enough as Iowa held on for the win. Matt Herges had a rough start with a solo homer allowed in the 1st but Irving Falu hit a sac fly in the 3rd to tie the game. Iowa scored 2 runs on 3 hits in the 4th and the big blow was a grand slam in the 5th that made it 7-1. Mike Moustakas went deep for a 2-run shot in the 6th for his 8th at AAA and Falu drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the lead to 7-4 before Omaha stranded 3. Moustakas came through with an RBI double in the 9th and Scott Thorman hit an RBI single to cut the lead to 1 and put the tying run at third, but the Royals left the bases loaded once more. Omaha is 73-60. Moustakas has been named as one of 5 finalists for USA Today's Minors Player of the Year. Brian Bannister starts game 2 of the set Friday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 6, Springfield 1

1B C. Robinson 3-4, 3B (5), 2 HR (27), 5 RBI (88), 3 RS, E (15) -- .325, one-man wrecking crew
DH Fields 2-4, 2 RS -- .395
3B Romak 2-4 -- .280
RF Van Stratten 1-4, RBI (33), K -- .274
CF D. Robinson 1-4, BB, 2B (24) -- .284
2B Giavotella 1-3, 2 BB, RS, picked off -- .318
LF Orlando 1-4 -- .313

Lamb 6 1/3 IP, 3 BB, 5 K -- W, 1-1, 5.79 ERA, 1st AA win comes on strength of 6 1/3 hitless
R. Hardy 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- 3.53 ERA, came within 1 out of finishing no-hitter

* John Lamb and Rowdy Hardy seriously flirted with the organization's second combined no-hitter this week but at the last moment it fell apart. Clint Robinson hit a 2-run triple in the 1st and Nick Van Stratten singled him home to make it 3-0 Nats. Clint returned to the batter's box in the 3rd and slammed a 2-run homer to make it 5-0. Lamb settled in to retire 11 in a row at one point but Hardy took over after a 1-out walk in the 7th. Clint Robinson led off the 8th with his 2nd homer of the game and 27th of the season to make it 6-0 Naturals. Hardy took the no-hitter to the limit with 2 out in the 9th but gave up a solo homer to DH Andrew Brown. Two singles followed before Hardy finally got the last out. NWA is 36-23. The series ends Friday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: off day

* A 3-game set at the Lynchburg Hillcats (28-30, A-Adv. Reds) starts Friday. Aaron Crow starts game 1.

A - Burlington: Bees 10, Wisconsin 3

LF H. Richardson 2-4, 4 RBI (35) -- .192
SS McClure 2-5, 2B (5), HR, 2 RBI (8), K, 2 RS, E (2) -- .254
RF Testa 2-5, RBI (46), RS, SB (27), OF assist at home -- .277
1B Kuebler 2-3, BB, RBI (15), RS -- .290
C Bonilla 2-3, BB, RBI (36), K, 2 RS, E (6) -- .237
CF Merrifield 1-4, HBP, K, RS -- .232

Hayenga 6 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, HRA, WP -- W, 2-12, 6.51 ERA, good to get a win
Hodge 2 IP, 2 K -- 6.49 ERA
R. Wood IP, H, K -- 8.44 ERA

* The Bees gave Keaton Hayenga plenty of run support as he picked up win #2 Thursday. He gave up a solo homer in the 1st but the Bees answered with runs in each of the first 5 innings. Alex McClure clubbed a 2-run shot for his 1st at Burlington in the 1st, Hilton Richardson hit a 2-run single in the 2nd, and 3 scored in the 3rd on a Jake Kuebler single, Jose Bonilla single and Deivy Batista double play. Carlo Testa hit a 2-out RBI single in the 4th and Hayenga didn't exactly cruise but didn't get in any big trouble either. He gave up another run in the 5th but Richardson hit another 2-run single in the 5th. Hayenga allowed one more run in the 6th but that was all the Rattlers would get. Burlington is 20-36. The series wraps up Friday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 5, Missoula 4

2B Espinal 3-4, RBI (24), K, CS (5) -- .290
LF Taylor 2-2, SF, 2B (4), 3 RBI (9), RS -- .243
3B Zebroski 2-4, 2B (6), K, 2 RS -- .250
DH Watts 0-4, 2 K -- .293

Billo 5 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 9 K, pickoff -- W, 4-6, 4.63 ERA
Mariot 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 K -- 3.81 ERA
Rivers IP, K -- SV, 6, 4.18 ERA

* The Chukars staved off a Missoula rally in the 6th to take the series finale. Reggie Taylor hit a sac fly and Tom Zebroski scored on an error to make it 2-0 in the 3rd. Taylor came back up in the 5th and ripped a 2-run double before Yowill Espinal hit a 2-out RBI single to make it 5-0 IF. Mike Mariot took over for Greg Billo with 2 on and 2 out in the 6th and 3 hits scored 4 runs before he escaped the inning with a 1-run lead. Mariot and Alex Rivers retired the last 10 Osprey. IF is 7-18. A 4-game home set with the Helena Brewers (13-9) starts Friday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 6, Kingsport 4

CF Llanos 3-3, BB, 3B (3), 2 RBI (24), RS, SB (17), CS (8) -- .258
1B Baldwin 1-4, BB, RBI (14), 2 K, RS -- .173
3B Y. Figueroa 1-5, 2B (6), RBI (22), RS -- .253
DH Robertson 1-2, 2 BB, RBI (3), RS -- .133
C Escobar 1-3, S, 2B (5), RBI (12), K -- .211
SS Liberto 1-5, 2 K -- .250
2B Stovall 1-4, BB, RS, E (9) -- .308
LF Gabe MacDougall had an OF assist at second.

L. Santiago 6 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, BB, 6 K, HRA, WP, E -- W, 6-2, 2.08 ERA
Leaper 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 K, E -- SV, 2, 2.57 ERA

* The B-Royals used a 5-run 1st to propel them to the win. Two Mets errors helped fuel the rally as Geoff Baldwin hit an RBI single, Yunior Figueroa doubled in a run, Alex Llanos hit a 2-run single and Drew Robertson singled in a run to make it 5-0. Leonel Santiago wasn't at his best but did enough for the win. He gave up a solo homer in the 2nd and got hit for 2 runs in the 5th. Edul Escobar hit an RBI double in the 6th and J.J. Leaper allowed an RBI single in the 7th, but held it down from there. Burlington is 30-33 and 6 1/2 games out, and still 3 back of the second divisional playoff spot. The Mets series wraps Friday.

Rookie - AZL: off day

* This is the team's final off day. Their final 3 games start with 1 tomorrow versus the Rangers.

Royals on the Farm 8/25

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 2, Iowa 0 (11)

2B Falu 2-4, CS (4) -- .260
1B Thorman 1-5, walkoff HR (20), 2 RBI (78), 2 K, RS -- .270
CF Dyson 1-4, BB, 2B (9) -- .257
LF Lough 0-3, BB, S, K -- .279
3B Moustakas 0-5 -- .273
SS Lucas 0-3, 2 BB, 3 K, RS -- .304
RF Parraz 0-2, BB, S, K, SB (7) -- .258

Lerew 7 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 6 K -- 2.72 ERA
Coleman 3 IP, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 2.45 ERA
Collins IP, H, BB, K -- W, 2-0, 0.56 ERA

* Omaha made their 4 hits count for more than Iowa's 10 as Scott Thorman went walkoff in the 11th. Jarrod Dyson doubled but was thrown out at home in the 1st and Omaha stranded 2 in scoring position in the 3rd. Anthony Lerew struck out the side in the 1st and stranded 2 Cubs in the 4th. He stranded the bases full in the 6th and Louis Coleman got a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play to end the 8th. Coleman stranded 2 in the 10th and Tim Collins did the same in the 11th. Ed Lucas drew a 2-out walk in the 11th and Thorman jacked his 20th homer of the season to abruptly end the game. Omaha is 73-59. Matt Herges starts game 2 Thursday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Springfield 8, Naturals 2

3B Fields 1-4, 2B (2), RBI (2), K -- .368
SS Seratelli 1-3, RBI (36), E (13) -- .258
1B Hosmer 1-4, RS -- .308
CF D. Robinson 0-4, 2 K -- .285
2B Giavotella 0-4 -- .318
DH C. Robinson 0-4 -- .321
RF Van Stratten 0-3 -- .274
LF Orlando 1-3, RS, SB (23) -- .314

Montgomery 4 2/3 IP, 8 R (4 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HRA, WP -- L, 5-3, 3.33 ERA
Bowden 3 1/3 IP, BB, 4 K -- 7.50 ERA

* Two 4 run innings sealed the Naturals' fate. Nobody reached base until Eric Hosmer reached on a 2-out error in the 4th and Josh Fields doubled him home. Mike Montgomery gave up a 3-run homer as part of a 4-run 4th as the Cardinals took command. Anthony Seratelli singled in a run in the 5th but Montgomery was victimized by a 2-out Seratelli error in the 5th as Springfield scored 4 more runs including another 3-run homer. NWA stranded 1 in the 9th. NWA is 35-23. Game 3 is Thursday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Potomac 7, Blue Rocks 5

RF Francis 2-4, 2B (22), RBI (53), RS -- .286
SS Colon 2-4, K, E (14) -- .272
3B Prasch 1-3, SF, 2B (10), RBI (15), RS -- .198
LF Ortiz 1-5, K, RS, OF assist at home -- .288
C Myers 1-4, K -- .343
DH S. Perez 1-4 -- .272

Melville 4 2/3 IP, 4 UER, 2 H, 4 BB, 4 K, WP -- 5.04 ERA
Paukovits 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 3-5, 5.40 ERA
M. Baez IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 4.36 ERA

* A 5-run Potomac 5th was the key as the P-Nats regained first place. Eddie Prasch got Wilmington started with a sac fly in the 2nd and the Rocks scored 3 in the 3rd on a run-scoring wild pitch, a Wil Myers double play ball and Nick Francis RBI double. Adrian Ortiz threw a runner out at the plate to end the Potomac 4th as Tim Melville kept the whitewash going. A Christian Colon error preceded a bases-loaded walk issued by Melville in the 5th and he was pulled with 2 out and the bases loaded. Bryan Paukovits came in and served up a game-breaker grand slam to RF Bill Rhinehart to make it 5-4 Nationals. A wild pitch scored a Blue Rocks run to tie it in the 6th but Paukovits gave up a 2-out RBI double in the 7th and Manauris Baez allowed a 2-out RBI single in the 8th. The Rocks didn't threaten to rally. The Rocks are 31-27 and now 1/2 a game back of Potomac. They have Thursday off.

A - Burlington: Wisconsin 7, Bees 4

C Theriot 2-3, BB, 2B (6), 2 RBI (14) -- .290
1B Kuebler 1-4, 2B (3), RBI (14), RS -- .281
RF Merrifield 1-4, 2B (6), RBI (17), K -- .231
SS McClure 1-4 -- .242
LF Testa 1-4, 2 RS, SB (26) -- .276

Sample 3 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 6 BB, 6 K, WP -- L, 5-9, 4.76 ERA, got me wondering if injury is factoring in
Encarnacion 3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- 6.56 ERA
De La Rosa 3 IP, H, BB, K, balk -- 3.50 ERA

* Tyler Sample had another rough start as the Rattlers took the opener from the Bees. Sample walked 4 in a 3-run Wisconsin 2nd and then allowed 2 runs in the 3rd to make it 5-0 T-Rats. Whit Merrifield hit an RBI double in the 3rd and Ben Theriot singled home a run in the 4th but the Bees would get no closer than 5-2. Rodolfo Encarnacion gave up 2 runs in the 6th but Jake Kuebler and Theriot hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of the frame. The Bees stranded 2 in the 8th. Burlington is 19-36. Game 2 is Thursday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Missoula is up, 6-3, on the Chukars in the 7th

2B Zebroski 2-3, 2B (5), RBI (16), RS -- .243
1B Watts 0-2, HBP, RBI (47), K -- .300
C Cornstubble 0-2, BB, PB (2) -- .348

L. Perez 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HRA, WP -- 6.09 ERA
Caldwell 1 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 10.38 ERA
Carl 2/3 IP, 2 K -- 5.19 ERA

* No no-hitter tonight for the Chukars. The suspense ended in the 1st as Leondy Perez gave up a leadoff homer and another solo homer in the 2nd made it 2-0 Missoula. Tom Zebroski hit an RBI double in the 2nd and scored on an error to tie the game. Murray Watts hit an RBI groundout in the 3rd to give IF a 3-2 lead. Perez struggled in the 5th but escaped with a tie game. Allen Caldwell loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th and served up a 3-run double before getting pulled. The Chukars stranded 2 in the 7th. OF Jovan Pickett is back with IF after breaking his ankle in spring training.

Rookie - Burlington: Kingsport 5, B-Royals 2

3B Y. Figueroa 1-3, HR (3), 2 RBI (21), RS -- .255
SS Liberto 0-4, K, E -- .256
2B Stovall 0-4, K -- .309
1B Baldwin 1-3, RS, E (15) -- .171
CF Llanos 1-3, K, SB (16), picked off, E (5) -- .248

Simmons 6 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 4 K -- 2.84 ERA, made the most of meager run support
Lohden 1 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, E -- BS, 4, L, 1-4, 3.74 ERA
Bavera 1/3 IP, H -- 4.80 ERA

* Despite only 3 hits total, the B-Royals still had a 2-1 lead in the 8th before things fell apart versus the Mets. Yunior Figueroa hammered a 2-run homer in the 2nd for his 3rd of the season to make it 2-0 Burlington. The Royals only had 1 hit thereafter. Crawford Simmons allowed a run in the 5th but held strong. Cole Lohden left the bases full in the 7th and had 1 on with 2 out in the 8th. An RBI triple and 2 errors on one play for 2 more runs chased Lohden and Claudio Bavera allowed another run to make it 5-2. The Royals stranded 1 in the 9th. The Royals are 29-33. Game 2 is Thursday.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 4, Padres 2 (7/G1)

2B V. Soto 2-3, 2B (4), RBI (20), K -- .266
RF Bonifacio 1-2, BB, 3B (5), RBI (5), K, RS, SB, OF assist at home -- .194
1B Moreno 1-3, RBI (32), K, picked off -- .327
DH Sandford 0-2, BB, K, RS, 2 SB (27) -- .287
SS Antonio 1-3, 2B (12), 2 RS -- .270
C Shin 0-3, 2 K -- .160
CF Conner 1-3, picked off -- .214

Jon. Rodriguez 5 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 6 K, HRA, 2 WP -- W, 5-3, 3.33 ERA
Wooley 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA, rehabbing

* The Royals jumped ahead and held on to win. Darian Sandford scored on an error and Jorge Bonifacio hit an RBI triple in the 1st. Jonathan Rodriguez allowed a solo homer in the 3rd but Victor Soto doubled in a run to make it 3-1. Rodriguez allowed another run in the 4th but Henry Moreno hit an RBI single in the 5th to add a little insurance. Nick Wooley finished it off.

The Royals are up, 2-0, in the 5th in game 2

RF Alcantara 1-2, 2B (7), RBI (21), RS -- .259
2B Jos. Rodriguez 0-2, RBI (17) -- .270
LF Sandford 0-3, 2 K -- .279
SS Antonio 1-2, SB (6) -- .273
1B Moreno 1-2 -- .329
C Marquez 0-2, K, 2 PB (15) -- .148

A. Baez 4 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- 5.40 ERA
E. Diaz 1 1/3 IP, H, BB, 2 K -- 4.76 ERA
Gatrell 0 IP, nothing -- 1.47 ERA

* Three Royals pitchers have a 2-hitter going versus the Pads. Angel Baez stranded 2 in the 4th and the Royals cashed in on a Victor Soto leadoff triple in the 5th as Ysmelin Alcantara doubled in a run and Jose Rodriguez hit an RBI groundout to make it 2-0. The Royals beat the Padres, 4-2, Wednesday.

Royals on the Farm 8/24 -- Will Smith gets jiggy with it, but hey, so does Peacock! a NONO in Idaho Falls

AAA - Omaha: Memphis 8, O-Royals 2

LF Lough 2-4, K -- .281
RF Parraz 1-4, RBI (55) -- .260
DH Maddox 1-4, RBI (30), K -- .260
3B Moustakas 1-4, 2 K -- .281
CF Dyson 1-4, 2 K, OF assists at home and second -- .257
SS Lucas 1-4, RS -- .307

B. Hardy 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 3 K, pickoff -- L, 2-4, 3.12 ERA
Meche 1 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 K, HRA -- 10.80 ERA
Lowery 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, HRA -- 4.80 ERA
G. Hernandez 2 IP, ER, H, 3 BB, K, HRA -- 5.32 ERA

* No Omaha pitcher emerged unscathed as Memphis whipped on the O-Royals in the series finale. Jarrod Dyson threw a runner out at the plate in the 1st and Blaine Hardy allowed 2 runs in the 2nd. Omaha stranded 2 in the 2nd and left the bases loaded in the 3rd. Memphis added 2 off Hardy in the 5th and Gil Meche gave up a leadoff homer in the 6th. Devon Lowery gave up a 2-run homer in the 7th and Gaby Hernandez gave up a solo homer in the 8th to make it 8-0 RedBirds. Jordan Parraz hit an RBI groundout in the 9th and Marc Maddox hit an RBI single to account for Omaha's only offense of the day. Omaha is 72-59. A 5-game home set with the Iowa Cubs (74-56) starts Wednesday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Springfield 2

DH C. Robinson 2-4, BB, HR (25), RBI (83), K, 2 RS -- .324
C Pina 2-5, RBI (41), RS -- .265
LF T. Smith 2-4, SF, RBI (47), K, RS -- .300
SS McConnell 2-3, BB, K -- .236
1B Hosmer 2-4, BB, 2B (11), K, RS -- .310
2B Giavotella 2-5, CS (6) -- .321
CF D. Robinson 1-5, 2B (23), 2 RBI (46) -- .287
RF Van Stratten 1-4, S, 2B (18), 2 K -- .277
NWA stranded 11.

Paulino 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 4 K -- 4.30 ERA
Barrera 2 1/3 IP, H, K -- W, 3-1, 2.25 ERA
Keating 2 IP, BB, 5 K -- SV, 9, 3.53 ERA

* It was another good night for NW Arkansas in a season full of good nights. The Nats stranded 2 in both of the first 2 innings and the Cardinals got a run off Eduardo Paulino in the 2nd. Johnny Giavotella got caught stealing home in the 3rd but the Naturals finally cashed in in the 4th with 2 runs on a 2-run Derrick Robinson double. Manny Pina singled in a run and Tim Smith added a sac fly in the 5th to make it 4-1. Paulino walked in a run in the 5th but Henry Barrera came in to strand the bases loaded. Clint Robinson led off the 7th with his 25th homer of the season to make it 5-2 but the Nats left the bases full. Patrick Keating had a great outing over the last 2 innings as he K'd 5, including striking out the side around a walk in the 9th. NWA is 35-22. Game 2 is Wednesday as John Lamb gets the start.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 4, Potomac 2

2B Navarro 2-4, K, SB (5) -- .237
RF Francis 1-4, HR (12), 2 RBI (52), RS -- .283
3B Prasch 1-4, HR (2), RBI (14), K, RS -- .195
LF Ortiz 1-4, K, RS -- .289
SS Colon 0-3, BB, K -- .267
C Myers 0-4, K -- .345

W. Smith 8 IP, H, 12 K -- W, 3-1, 2.95 ERA
Chapman IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 6.14 ERA

* Will Smith was the Fresh Prince on Tuesday night as his 12 Ks and 1-hit outing led the Rocks to the win. Adrian Ortiz scored on a wild pitch and Nick Francis ripped a 2-run homer for his 12th of the season to spot the Rocks a 3-0 lead in the 1st. Eddie Prasch went solo in the 4th for his 2nd homer of the season to make it 4-0 and Smith had a perfect game thru 5 2/3 IP. He gave up a 2-out single in the 6th but that was the only runner he allowed. He struck out the last 5 he faced and 7 of the last 9 he faced. Kevin Chapman came in for the 9th and allowed 2 runs before closing it out. The Rocks are 31-26 and now a 1/2 game up on Potomac thanks to Smith's gem. Tim Melville starts Wednesday's series finale.

A - Burlington: Bees 11, Beloit 8

C Theriot 3-4, BB, 3 2B (5), 4 RBI (12), 2 RS -- .271
DH Bonilla 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (35), K -- .236
CF Merrifield 1-4, BB, RBI (16), 2 K, RS -- .231
SS McClure 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (4), RBI (6), K, 2 RS -- .242
RF Testa 1-5, 3B (14), RBI (45), K, RS -- .276
1B Kuebler 1-4, BB, RBI (13), K, 2 RS -- .282
3B F. Cruz 1-3, BB, 2B (13), RBI (19), RS -- .215

Odenbach 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 2 K, pickoff -- 4.84 ERA
M. Mitchell IP, H, K -- 5.18 ERA
Byrne 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K -- 18.00 ERA
Morizio 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, W, 1-1, 6.57 ERA

* Burlington turned up the offense late to beat the Snappers. Dusty Odenbach gave up 2 runs in the 2nd and stranded 2 in the 3rd. Jose Bonilla singled in a run in the 4th and the Bees caught a runner stealing home to end the Beloit 5th. Matt Mitchell gave up a 2-run double in the 6th but the Bees tied it as Carlo Testa led off the bottom of the 6th with a triple, scored on a Jake Kuebler single and Bonilla singled in a run before Fernando Cruz hit an RBI force out to knot the game at 4. Ben Theriot hit a 2-run double in the 7th but Matt Morizio gave up a 2-run double in the 8th to tie the game. The Bees loaded the bases with 0 out in the 8th and Whit Merrifield hit an RBI single before Alex McClure took a bases-loaded walk, Testa hit an RBI groundout and Theriot hit another 2-run double to make it 11-6. Morizio allowed 2 more runs in the 9th but he had plenty of leeway as he picked up his 1st Bees win. The Bees are 19-35.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 3, Missoula 0 (no-hitter)

DH T. Jones 2-4, 2B (5), K -- .288
SS Trapp 2-4, 2 K, RS, 2 SB (11) -- .234
LF Taylor 1-2, BB, HR, RBI (6), RS, picked off -- .231
1B Watts 0-3, BB, K, E (2) -- .303
C David 0-4 -- .276

Peacock 7 IP, BB, 8 K -- 6.27 ERA, that's getting robbed of a win
J. Mitchell IP, nothing -- W, 1-1, 5.95 ERA
Rivers IP, 3 K -- SV, 5, 4.37 ERA, finishes it off in style

* Brian Peacock helped provide the highlight of the year for Idaho Falls as he and Jason Mitchell and Alex Rivers combined on a no-hitter. Peacock had a perfect game thru 5 1/3 IP before an error by Murray Watts ended that. The only problem was Idaho Falls couldn't score either. IF stranded 2 in the 8th and Jason Mitchell took the helm of the no-hitter in the 8th. He pitched a perfect inning and Reggie Taylor came through with a leadoff homer in the 8th for his 1st with the Chukars. A 2-run error later in the inning made it 3-0. Alex Rivers struck out the side looking in the 9th to finish off the no-hitter. IF is 6-17. Brennon Martin was named Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for Aug. 16-22 with 9 scoreless innings of work over the week.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 6, Pulaski 4

1B Stovall 4-5, RBI (23), 2 RS -- .315
CF Llanos 2-4, 2 RBI (22), K, RS -- .246
C Jenkins 2-5, 2B (14), RBI (18), picked off -- .250
2B Piterson 2-5, RS, CS (9) -- .267
RF Howard 1-4, RBI (12), 2 K, OF assist at third -- .233
DH Escobar 1-4, RBI (11), K -- .214
SS Liberto 1-4, BB, RS -- .282

Dooley 5 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K -- W, 4-6, 4.56 ERA
Giovenco 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB -- 6.97 ERA
R. Penny 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- SV, 3, 1.91 ERA

* The B-Royals scored all their runs early and held on to get another win over the Mariners. Ryan Jenkins doubled in a run in the 1st and Anthony Howard and Edul Escobar singled home runs in the 2nd to make it 3-0. Alex Llanos hit a 2-run single in the 3rd and Ryan Stovall singled in another run in the 4th to make it 6-0. Jonathan Dooley stranded 2 in the 3rd and got a caught stealing in the 5th to keep the Mariners off the board. Mike Giovenco allowed 2 runs in the 6th but Anthony Howard bailed him out of further trouble by throwing a runner out at third to end the inning. Robert Penny allowed 2 more Pulaski runs in the 8th but stopped the damage there and stranded 1 in the 9th for his 3rd save. Burlington is 29-32 and 5 1/2 games back, but only 2 back of a playoff spot. A 3-game set at the Kingsport Mets (26-33) starts Wednesday. Only 7 games remain on the Royals' schedule.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals are up, 3-2, on the Padres in the 7th

1B Moreno 2-3, HR (4), 2 RBI (30), RS -- .322
DH Bonifacio 1-2, SF, RBI (4), K -- .183
LF Sandford 1-4, K, RS, 2 SB (25), OF assist at home -- .295, may be best later-round pick Royals made this season
SS Antonio 1-2, BB, 2B (10), RS -- .264
CF Conner 1-3, K -- .213
C Marquez 0-3 -- .155

Ventura 5 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- 3.44 ERA
R. Brown 2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 2.11 ERA

* The Royals are trying to hang on to beat the Friars. Darian Sandford reached on an error, stole second, advanced on a groundout and scored on a Jorge Bonifacio sac fly to score the Royals' first run in the 1st. Henry Moreno slugged a 2-run homer in the 6th for his 4th of the season to extend the lead to 3-0. Yordano Ventura wriggled out of a jam or two to hand the ball to Rudy Brown in the 6th. Brown gave up a 2-out RBI single in the 6th but Sandford threw out a runner at the plate to cut the rally short. Brown struggled again in the 7th as he gave up a run before stranding 2. The game is in the 8th. The Royals beat the Cubs, 5-4, Monday.

Royals on the Farm 8/23

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 7, Memphis 3

RF Parraz 2-4, HR (10), 2 RBI (54), 2 RS -- .260
C Clark 2-4, RBI (20), K, RS -- .254
LF Lough 1-3, BB, 2 RBI (56), 2 K, RS, SB (14) -- .279
1B Thorman 1-4, RBI (76), K, RS -- .271
DH Mertins 1-4, RBI (25), 2 K, RS -- .231
3B Moustakas 0-3, BB, E (8) -- .282
CF Dyson 0-4, BB -- .257
SS Lucas 1-3, HBP, RS -- .308

Bannister 2 IP, H -- 0.00 ERA
Mendoza 6 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 4 H, BB, 2 K -- W, 10-8, 4.10 ERA
B. Anderson IP, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA, wow

* The Royals took a 1-hitter into the 8th but a shutout was not to be, although I'm sure they'll take the win. The Royals stranded 2 in both the 1st and 2nd and Memphis' only hit for the bulk of the game came in the top of the 1st off Brian Bannister. Omaha rallied for 6 runs in the 3rd on RBI singles by Scott Thorman, Jordan Parraz, Kurt Mertins and Cody Clark and a 2-run David Lough single to make it 6-0. Parraz hit a 2-out solo homer for his 10th of the season in the 4th. Luis Mendoza kept the Redbirds hitless from the 3rd thru the 7th but gave up 3 runs in the 8th on 4 hits and a Mike Moustakas error. Brian Anderson struck out the side in the 9th to continue to prove his worth as a pitcher. The O-Royals are 72-58. Blaine Hardy starts Tuesday's series finale.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 8, Midland 2

SS McConnell 3-4, 2B (17), HR (3), 3 RBI (37), RS -- .232
C Pina 2-4, RBI (40) -- .262
LF Orlando 2-5, RBI (58), K, RS, SB (22), E (13) -- .314
3B Fields 2-2, SF, RBI, RS -- .400
DH C. Robinson 2-4 -- .322
1B Hosmer 1-5, HR (11), 2 RBI (29), RS -- .305
CF D. Robinson 1-4, BB, 2 RS, SB (47) -- .288
RF Van Stratten 1-4, RS -- .278

Duffy 6 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 5 H, BB, 5 K, HRA, WP -- W, 4-1, 2.40 ERA
Sisk 2 IP, 2 H, BB, K -- 4.74 ERA
Swaggerty IP, 2 K -- 4.01 ERA

* Danny Duffy had another good start and the Naturals overcame the RockHounds. Paulo Orlando singled home a run in the 1st and Josh Fields hit a sac fly to make it 2-0 Naturals. Midland got a run back in the 2nd but the Naturals left the bases full in the 2nd. The Naturals scored 4 in the 3rd on a Manny Pina RBI single and 3-run Chris McConnell homer for his 3rd of the season. Midland got a solo homer in the 5th to cut it to 6-2 off Duffy. Eric Hosmer put it away with a 2-run homer in the 8th for his 11th at AA. NWA is 34-22. A 4-game set at the Springfield Cardinals (32-24) starts Tuesday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 6, Potomac 3 (14)

1B Mejia 3-5, HBP, 3B (2), HR (5), 5 RBI (20), 2 K, 2 RS -- .312
CF Norris 2-6, 2B (17), K, 2 RS -- .240
SS Colon 0-4, S, HBP, K, RS -- .271
DH Myers 0-4, 2 BB, 2 K, RS -- .354
C S. Perez 0-5, BB, K -- .273

Hodgson 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K, balk -- 4.25 ERA
Lafferty 4 IP, H, 4 K, WP -- 2.93 ERA
Baez 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 4.29 ERA
Dennick 3 IP, 2 H, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 3.86 ERA

* Three Rocks relievers combined for 9 scoreless innings of relief as Wilmington won in 14. Ernesto Mejia led off the 2nd with his 5th homer of the season but Potomac scored 2 in the 3rd off Ivor Hodgson. Potomac got another run in the 5th to make it 3-1. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 7th but came through when it counted in the 9th as Mejia hit a 2-run single. They couldn't extend the rally, tho, and the game went to extras. Rene Oriental was thrown out trying to stretch a double to a triple in the 10th and the game stayed scoreless until the 14th. That's when Mejia struck again for a 2-run triple and scored on a wild pitch to break it open. Ryan Dennick stranded 2 in the 14th for his 1st Wilmington win. The Rocks are 30-26 and a 1/2 game back of the P-Nats. Will Smith starts game 2 Tuesday.

A - Burlington: Beloit 6, Bees 4

C Bonilla 3-3, BB, HR (4), 2 RBI (33), 2 RS -- .235
1B F. Cruz 2-4 -- .214
DH Theriot 0-4, RBI (8), 2 K -- .236
LF Aparicio 0-4, RBI (6), 2 K -- .159
CF Ferguson 1-5, K, RS -- .172
SS McClure 1-4, BB, K, RS, 3 SB (5) -- .237
RF Testa 0-5, 2 K, OF assist at second -- .277

Marimon 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K, HRA -- 6.25 ERA
Kelley 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K, WP -- 4.09 ERA
R. Wood IP, 3 ER, 3 H -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 10.38 ERA
Encarnacion IP, nothing -- 6.60 ERA

* Beloit came back with 3 in the 8th to get the win. Sugar Ray Marimon gave up a 2-out RBI double in the 2nd but the Bees matched it on a Julio Aparicio RBI groundout. Marimon gave up a 2-run homer in the 3rd but the Bees again rose to the task by tying it on a Ben Theriot RBI groundout and Jose Bonilla RBI single. The Bees loaded the bases with 0 out in the 4th but blew the chance. Bonilla gave the Bees the lead with his 4th homer in the 5th. Scott Kelley left the bases loaded in the 7th but Ryan Wood allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and a hit batsman in the 8th. The Bees didn't threaten late. The Bees are 18-35. The series finishes Tuesday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: off day

* The Chukars start a 3-game home set with the Missoula Osprey (10-12, Rookie D-Backs) Tuesday. Brian Peacock starts the opener.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 3, Pulaski 2

DH Escobar 2-3, HBP, 2B (4), K -- .212
2B Piterson 2-4, 2B (14), RS -- .264
SS Liberto 1-3, HBP, RBI (6) -- .286
3B Y. Figueroa 1-4, RBI (19), 2 K -- .253
C Jenkins 0-4, 2 K, PB (4) -- .245
1B Baldwin 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS -- .168

Avinazar 7 IP, 7 H, 9 K -- W, 5-3, 2.49 ERA
Ramsey 1 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, 2 K, WP -- 8.53 ERA
D. Hernandez 1/3 IP, K -- SV, 1, 1.74 ERA

* The Royals fended off the Mariners in the 9th to get the win. Luis Piterson doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the 1st and Mike Liberto hit an RBI single in the 3rd to make it 2-0 Royals. Willian Avinazar had a great start and stranded 2 M's in scoring position in the 5th. Yunior Figueroa hit an RBI single in the 8th and Jake Ramsey took a 3-0 lead into the 9th. A passed ball and wild pitch scored 2 runs before Daniel Hernandez came on for the last out to pick up his 1st pro save. The B-Royals are 28-32. The series continues Tuesday.

Rookie - AZL: The Royals are up, 3-0, on the Cubs in the 5th

3B Mateo 1-2, SF, RBI (23), K -- .231
DH Sandford 0-1, 2 BB, RS, 3 SB (23) -- .293
SS Antonio 0-3, 2 K -- .255
C Shin 0-2, 2 K -- .167
1B Moreno 1-2, 2B (20) -- .319

J. Pimentel 2 IP, BB -- 4.91 ERA
Yambati 2 IP, H, K -- 2.67 ERA

* Julio Pimentel and Robinson Yambati have limited the Cubs to 1 hit thru 4. Daniel Mateo hit a 2-out single that scored a run thanks to a Cubs error in the 3rd and a wild pitch and Mateo sac fly scored 2 more runs in the 5th. The Rangers pulled away to win, 10-4, Sunday.

Royals on the Farm 8/22

AAA - Omaha: Memphis 10, O-Royals 9

3B Moustakas 4-5, 2B (10), RBI (23), 2 RS -- .287
1B Thorman 2-4, BB, HR (19), 3 RBI (75), K, 2 RS -- .271
C May 2-5, 2 2B (18), RBI (52), K, 2 RS -- .291
DH Mertins 2-4, BB, SB (4) -- .230
LF Lough 2-4, HBP, 2B (15), 2 K, RS -- .279
2B Falu 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (38) -- .260
RF Parraz 1-5, 2 RBI (52), K, RS, E (6) -- .257
CF Dyson 1-5, picked off -- .265
SS Lucas 1-4, BB, 2B (19), 2 K, RS, E (11) -- .307

Osuna 3 2/3 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, K, HRA -- 10.29 ERA
Castaneda 1 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, HRA -- 3.86 ERA
Coleman 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, L, 4-2, 2.70 ERA
Rupe 2 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 WP -- 2.79 ERA

* Omaha came back from down, 6-0, to take a momentary lead but fell back behind as Memphis escaped. The Redbirds scored a run off Edgar Osuna in the 1st and the Royals left the bases full in the bottom of the inning. Osuna gave up a 3-run homer in the 3rd and the Redbirds scored 2 in the 4th to make it 6-0. The Royals got on the board in the 4th as Scott Thorman ripped a 2-run homer for his 19th of the season and Irving Falu hit an RBI forceout to cut it to 6-3. Federico Castaneda gave up a solo homer in the 5th but Omaha scored 5 in the bottom of the inning on a Mike Moustakas RBI single, a Lucas May RBI double, a 2-run Jordan Parraz single and Falu RBI single to make it 8-7 O-Royals. The lead didn't last long as Memphis scored 2 in the 6th off Louis Coleman. Omaha stranded 2 in the 7th and the Redbirds scored an insurance run in the 8th. Thorman singled in Moustakas in the 8th but he was the last Royal to reach base. The Royals are 71-58. Brian Bannister is set to rehab and start game 3 Monday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 7, Midland 3

DH C. Robinson 3-4, 2B (36), K, RS -- .321
LF T. Smith 2-4, RBI (46), RS -- .297
2B Giavotella 2-5, 2B (28), 2 RBI (56), K, RS -- .320
3B Fields 2-4, K, RS -- .308
1B Hosmer 1-5, 3B (3), 2 RBI (27) -- .308
C Pina 0-3, SF, RBI (39), RS -- .258
CF D. Robinson 1-4, BB, K, RS -- .288
RF Orlando 1-3, BB -- .313

Teaford 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K -- W, 12-3, 3.70 ERA, leading TL in wins
Paulino 2/3 IP, 2 H -- 4.32 ERA
R. Hardy 2 1/3 IP, H, K -- SV, 3, 3.53 ERA

* The Naturals came back with 7 runs to upend the RockHounds Sunday. Everett Teaford's only trouble came in the 3rd when Midland scored 3 runs on 2 walks and 2 hits. NWA stranded 2 in the 3rd and 5th but when SP Graham Godfrey got pulled for the 6th, they went to work. They scored 6 runs that inning on a Manny Pina RBI forceout, a Tim Smith RBI single, 2-run Johnny Giavotella double and 2-run Eric Hosmer triple. Pina followed with a sac fly in the 7th to make it 7-3. Teaford and 2 relievers took care of the rest. NWA is 33-22. Danny Duffy starts the series finale Monday.

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

C S. Perez 3-3, BB, 2 HR (5), 5 RBI (46), 2 RS -- .277
SS Colon 3-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (26), K, RS, E (13) -- .277
2B Navarro 0-4, RBI (35) -- .234
1B Mejia 2-4, 2B (10), K, RS -- .300
RF Francis 2-3, BB, 2B (21), 3 RS -- .285
CF Ortiz 0-4, BB -- .289
DH Myers 0-4, K -- .363
LF Rene Oriental had an assist at second.

Baumann 5 IP, ER, 4 H, 4 K, HRA -- W, 4-2, 2.32 ERA
J. Cuevas 3 IP, UER, 2 H, K -- 5.46 ERA
Baez IP, K -- 4.43 ERA

* Wilmington poured it on early to beat the Hillcats Sunday. Christian Colon socked his 3rd pro homer for a solo shot in the 1st and Salvador Perez cranked a 2-run shot in the 2nd for his 4th of the season. Colon singled in a run later in the inning to make it 4-0 Rocks. Perez came back up in the 3rd and went deep for a 3-run shot for his 5th of the season and 2nd in 2 innings to make it 7-0. Buddy Baumann was good once more but gave up a solo homer in the 4th for his only damage. Lynchburg scored a run in the 8th but Rey Navarro hit an RBI forceout to get the run back. Manauris Baez pitched a perfect 9th to finish it. The Rocks are 29-26. A 3-game set at the Potomac Nationals (30-24) starts Monday as the Rocks have a chance to get the division lead back with a good series. Aaron Crow starts the opener.

A - Burlington: Bees 8, Beloit 5

DH Testa 3-4, BB, K, 2 RS, SB (25) -- .280
C Theriot 2-4, 2B (2), 2 RBI (7), K -- .255
LF H. Richardson 2-4, RS, picked off -- .188
SS Hall 1-3, BB, 2B (24), RBI (40), RS -- .231
1B Kuebler 1-4, SF, RBI (12) -- .283
CF Ferguson 0-4, BB, RBI (3), K, RS -- .167
RF Merrifield 0-4, BB, RS -- .230

E. Pimentel 6 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 K -- W, 10-6, 3.98 ERA, best start yet for organization
Byrne 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB -- 54.00 ERA, rough Bees debut
Morizio 1 2/3 IP, H, 3 K -- 5.73 ERA
Hodge IP, 3 ER, 5 H -- 6.71 ERA

* The Bees got a good start from Elisaul Pimentel and churned out some offense to even the series with the Snappers. The Bees stranded 2 in the 2nd and Pimentel left the bases full in the 3rd. The Bees got to work in the 3rd with 4 runs on a run-scoring wild pitch, a Jake Kuebler sac fly and 2-run Ben Theriot double. Burlington caught a runner stealing home to end the Beloit 6th and a run-scoring error and run-scoring wild pitch made it 6-0 Bees in the bottom of the frame. Chas Byrne made his Bees debut in the 7th and allowed 2 runs before getting pulled. Gerard Hall doubled in a run and Tim Ferguson hit an RBI fielder's choice to make it 8-2 Bees in the 7th. Mitch Hodge gave up 3 runs on 5 singles in the 9th before finally putting the game to rest. The Bees are 18-34. Game 3 is Monday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena 11, Chukars 4

1B Watts 2-3, BB, RS, SB (2) -- .308
DH T. Jones 2-4, RS -- .280
RF Beltre 1-3, BB, RBI (29), K -- .246
2B Zebroski 1-4, 2B (4), RBI (15) -- .231
C David 0-2, BB, SF, RBI (16), RS -- .285

Blauer 5 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, BB, K, HRA, WP -- 5.80 ERA
Roualdes 1 1/3 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 5 H, BB, WP -- L, 1-1, 6.00 ERA
Carl 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 K -- 5.63 ERA

* A 7-run Brewers 7th broke a tie for good. Kevin David hit a sac fly after Justin Trapp stole 2 bases in the 1st, but Chad Blauer gave up 2 runs on 2 hits, a walk and error in the bottom of the inning. Helena got a solo homer in the 3rd to make it 3-1 and then plated another run in the 4th off Blauer. Geulin Beltre took a bases-loaded walk and a double-play ball scored another run before a Tom Zebroski RBI double tied it in the 6th. Jordan Roualdes stranded 2 in the 6th but things fell apart in the 7th as he and Edwin Carl gave up 7 runs before the dust settled. The Chukars didn't threaten again. IF is 5-17. They have Monday off.

Rookie - Burlington: Pulaski 12, B-Royals 0 (2-hitter)

3B Stovall 1-4, K, E (8) -- .304
LF MacDougall 1-3, 2B (8), K -- .215
SS Liberto 0-3, HBP, K -- .281
1B Baldwin 0-3, 2 K, 2 E (14) -- .171
CF Llanos 0-3, 2 K -- .242
C Robertson 0-3, K, 3 PB (5) -- .107

Keck 2 IP, 7 R (5 ER), 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 2-3, 4.95 ERA
Leaper 2 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, K, 2 HRA -- 2.95 ERA
Mazur 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 K, HRA -- 4.71 ERA
Bavera IP, K -- 4.85 ERA

* It was all Mariners Sunday. The fireworks started with a 2-run homer in the 2nd off Jonathon Keck, who was chased after giving up 4 more runs in the 3rd. J.J. Leaper came in and allowed 2 more runs before escaping the inning. Leaper gave up 2 homers in the 4th for 3 more runs to make it 11-0. Justin Mazur gave up another homer for good measure in the 5th. The Royals scattered their 2 hits and never threatened as they also drew 0 walks. The Royals are 27-32. Willian Avinazar starts game 2 Monday.

Rookie - AZL: The Rangers are up, 6-3, in the 5th on the Royals

1B Soto 2-2, RS -- .259
LF Sandford 1-2, 2B (3), RBI (8), K, RS, SB (20), picked off -- .302
RF Alcantara 1-2, RBI (19), K -- .260
2B Jos. Rodriguez 0-2, RBI (16) -- .269
DH Conner 0-2, 2 K -- .207
SS Antonio 0-2, K -- .250
C Shin 0-2, K, 2 PB (7) -- .164

J. Soto 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 5 K, HRA, pickoff -- 4.35 ERA
Lindsay 0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H -- 3.55 ERA
Bangs 0 IP, nothing yet -- 18.00 ERA

* The Rangers have surged ahead in the 5th. The Rangers stranded 2 in the 2nd but took the lead in the 3rd off Jorge Soto. Darian Sandford benefitted from some good fortune in the 3rd as he struck out but got to first on a wild pitch, then was picked off but made it to second on a throwing error, stole third, and scored on a Jose Rodriguez groundout to tie the game. Soto gave up a 2-run homer in the 4th but again the Royals tied it as Ysmelin Alcantara singled in a run and Sandford doubled in a run in the bottom of the inning. Dylan Lindsay came on for the 5th and hit a batter and gave up 4 hits to score 3 Ranger runs before Parker Bangs entered the game. That's where the recap sits as I type this.

Royals on the Farm 8/21

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 12, Memphis 7

LF Lough 4-4, BB, 2B (14), 2 RBI (54), 3 RS, 3 SB (13) -- .276
CF Dyson 2-3, 2 BB, 2B (8), RBI (14), 3 RS, 2 SB (10) -- .267
C Clark 2-3, BB, 2B (11), K, RS, PB (5) -- .249
1B Thorman 1-4, BB, GS (18), 4 RBI (72), RS -- .269
SS Lucas 1-4, BB, 2 RBI (46), K, RS -- .308
3B Moustakas 1-3, BB, SF, RBI (22), K -- .271, 11-game hit streak
2B Falu 1-4, RBI (36), 2 RS -- .260
RF Parraz 0-4, BB, 2 K, CS (4), OF assist at first -- .258

Herges 5 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- W, 7-3, 4.38 ERA
Meche IP, BB -- 12.60 ERA, rehabbing again
Marte 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K, HRA -- 3.79 ERA
Collins 2 1/3 IP, H, 3 K -- SV, 2, 0.60 ERA, can't complain about anything he's done with org so far

* Seven early runs almost weren't enough but some late fireworks from Scott Thorman put the game in the bag. The Royals loaded the bases with 0 out in the 1st and Ed Lucas hit a 2-run single to get Omaha started. Matt Herges gave up 4 runs without getting an out in the 2nd but finally escaped the inning. David Lough answered with a 2-run single in the bottom of the inning and a Mike Moustakas sac fly made it 5-4 Omaha. Irving Falu hit an RBI forceout in the 3rd before a Jarrod Dyson RBI double made it 7-4. Herges gave up a 2-run homer in the 4th and Gil Meche made his return to action with a scoreless 6th. A run-scoring error gave Omaha an 8-6 lead in the 6th but Victor Marte gave up a solo homer in the 7th to cut the lead back to 1. With 1 out and the bases loaded in the 8th, Thorman stepped up and rocked a grand slam to right to stretch the lead to 5 at 12-7. Tim Collins worked around a leadoff double in the 9th for his 2nd save. Omaha is 71-57 and 2 games back at the moment. Edgar Osuna starts game 2 Sunday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Midland 9, Naturals 2

DH Hosmer 2-4, 2B (10), RBI (25), K -- .312
C Pina 1-3, BB, RBI (38) -- .261
CF Orlando 1-5, RS -- .313
2B Giavotella 1-4, K -- .319
1B C. Robinson 0-4, K -- .317
RF Van Stratten 0-2, 2 BB, RS, E (3) -- .278

B. Johnson 6 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 2 K, pickoff, WP -- 4.28 ERA, best start in a while
Swaggerty 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H -- L, 4-5, 4.09 ERA
Keating 1/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, BB -- BS, 1, 3.74 ERA
Bowden 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, HRA -- 16.88 ERA, so good at A-Adv., having a rough time at AA

* Eight late Midland runs made a nailbiter a laugher Saturday. Eric Hosmer hit an RBI forceout in the 1st but Midland tied the game in the 2nd off Blake Johnson. Manny Pina singled in the go-ahead run in the 4th and NWA stranded 2 in the 7th as the 2-1 lead held. Patrick Keating came in with 2 on and 1 out in the 8th and gave up 2 singles and 2 doubles as Midland surged ahead. Barry Bowden got the last out in the inning but it was 7-2 RockHounds. NWA stranded 2 in the 8th and Bowden served up a 2-run homer in the 9th. The Naturals didn't threaten in the 9th. NWA is 32-22 and 1 1/2 games up on first. Game 2 is Sunday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Lynchburg 9, Blue Rocks 1

C Myers 2-4, 2B (14), 3B (2), K, RS, E -- .373
DH S. Perez 2-4 -- .270
1B Mejia 1-3, SF, RBI (15) -- .293
CF Ortiz 1-3, BB, 2 K, OF assist at home -- .292
SS Colon 0-4, E (12) -- .267, hit streak snapped

Paukovits 7 1/3 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 9 H, 4 K -- L, 3-4, 5.31 ERA
Chapman 1 2/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 3 H, 2 K, HRA -- 5.27 ERA

* Wilmington had more errors than runs in Saturday's loss. Bryan Paukovits gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in the 1st, but Wil Myers tripled and scored on an Ernesto Mejia sac fly in the 4th. Lynchburg answered with 2 in the 5th and the Rocks stranded 2 in the 5th. The Rocks made all 3 of their errors in a 3-run Hillcats 8th. Adrian Ortiz was thrown out trying to score in the 8th and Kevin Chapman served up a 2-run homer in the 9th. The Rocks are 28-26 and 2 1/2 games back. Buddy Baumann starts Sunday's series finale.

A - Burlington: Beloit 9, Bees 5

CF Merrifield 3-4, BB, 2B (5), 3B (2), RBI (15), RS, SB (5) -- .238
SS McClure 2-5, 2B (3), RBI (5), 2 K, RS -- .236
C Bonilla 2-4, K -- .226
LF Ferguson 1-5, 2 K, SB -- .200
RF Testa 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (21), OF assist at home -- .276

Hayenga 5 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 1-12, 6.75 ERA
M. Mitchell IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- 5.24 ERA
R. Wood 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K -- 5.40 ERA
De La Rosa 1/3 IP, ER, 4 BB, K -- 4.20 ERA
Kelley 2/3 IP, nothing -- 4.22 ERA

* The 6th inning was the key for Beloit in the series-opening win. The Bees loaded the bases in the 3rd but got nothing of it and Keaton Hayenga's early no-no came to a crashing halt in the 4th. The Snappers scored 3 runs that inning on 5 hits and a walk. A 2-out Snapper error opened the door in the 5th as Alex McClure hit an RBI double and Whit Merrifield followed with an RBI triple, then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Hayenga gave up a leadoff homer in the 6th and the Snappers wouldn't trail again. Matt Mitchell came in with 2 on and 0 out and, 4 runs later, got out of the inning with Burlington down, 8-3. Two run-scoring errors cut the lead to 8-5 for the Bees in the 7th but Starling De La Rosa handed out a run on walks in the 9th and the last 7 Bees went down consecutively. The Bees are 17-34 and this was their 81st loss of the season. Ugh.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: The Chukars are up, 15-2, on Helena in the 7th

RF Beltre 3-5, 2 RBI (28), 2 RS, OF assist at third -- .246
3B Culver 2-5, HR (3), 2 RBI (17), K, 2 RS, 2 E (14) -- .219
2B Zebroski 2-3, BB, 2B (3), RBI (14), RS, CS (2) -- .232
SS Trapp 1-4, BB, 2B (9), RBI (11), 2 RS, E (29) -- .233
1B Watts 1-2, 3 BB, HR (13), RBI (46), K, 2 RS -- .298
DH David 0-5, RBI (15), K -- .289
C T. Jones 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (10), RS -- .275
LF Taylor 1-3, BB, 3B (3), 2 RBI (5), K, 2 RS, SB (2) -- .241

B. Martin 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- 2.86 ERA

* At the moment, Brennon Martin and the Chukars are on the way to an easy win for a change. A run-scoring wild pitch and 2-run Geulin Beltre single made it 3-0 IF in the 1st. Justin Trapp doubled in a run in the 2nd, and another run scoring wild pitch and a Kevin David RBI forceout made it 6-0 Chukars. Martin worked out of a couple early jams, and Murray Watts went deep in the 4th for his 13th as a pro to make it 7-0. Tom Zebroski hit an RBI single and Reggie Taylor hit a 2-run triple and scored on a wild pitch in the 5th to stretch the lead to 11-0. Malcom Culver cranked a 2-run homer in the 6th for his 3rd of the season to make it 13-0, and Martin finally faltered for 2 runs in the 6th. The Chukars got them back on a run-scoring error and Travis Jones RBI single in the 7th. The series wraps up Sunday afternoon.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 1, Kingsport 0 (3-hitter)

DH Y. Figueroa 3-4, GW RBI (18) -- .259
SS Liberto 2-3, BB, RS, SB, CS (3) -- .310
3B Stovall 0-3, BB, K, E (7) -- .305
CF Llanos 0-3 -- .245
1B Baldwin 1-4, 2 K -- .174

L. Santiago 8 IP, 3 H, 3 K, WP -- 1.76 ERA, back to form
Lohden IP, K -- W, 1-3, 3.09 ERA

* Leonel Santiago's fine start came up empty for a win but the Chukars got a walkoff single in the 9th for the game's only run. Burlington stranded 2 in the 3rd and neither team seriously threatened thereafter. Mike Liberto drew a leadoff walk in the 9th and stole second before Yunior Figueroa hit a 1-out single to end it. The B-Royals are 27-31 and 6 1/2 games out. A 3-game set at the Pulaski Mariners (32-23) starts Sunday. RP Chas Byrne got called up to A-ball in Burlington. SS Adrian Martinez hurt his knee and, according to the B-Royals blog, is likely out for the rest of the season.

Rookie - AZL: off day

* The Royals won, 2-0, over the M's Friday. They are 25-23 and 1 game back with 8 games left on the schedule.

Royals on the Farm 8/20

AAA - Omaha: Fresno 4, O-Royals 2

SS Lucas 1-3, BB, RBI (44), K, picked off -- .309
3B Moustakas 1-4, 2B (9), 2 K, RS, E (7) -- .270
CF Dyson 1-3, BB, RS -- .258
RF Parraz 1-4, K, CS (3) -- .261
LF Lough 0-3, S, K, OF assist at home -- .270

Lerew 7 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 5 H, BB, 3 K -- L, 7-4, 2.90 ERA
G. Hernandez IP, ER, H, BB, K -- 5.33 ERA

* Omaha didn't get any offense going until the 9th as Giants farmhand Eric Hacker picked up his 16th win. The Grizzlies got to Anthony Lerew for 1 in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th and then added a run off Gaby Hernandez in the 8th. Ed Lucas hit an RBI single in the 9th and Mike Moustakas scored on an error but the rally stopped there. Omaha is 70-57. The west coast swing is finally over and the final homestand at Rosenblatt starts Saturday with the first of 4 versus the Memphis Redbirds (70-57, AAA Cardinals). Matt Herges starts game 1. Omaha scored 3 in the 9th to pull out a 6-5 win over Fresno Thursday. Brian Anderson pitched 2 hitless innings and Tim Collins notched his 1st AAA save.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Frisco 1

1B Hosmer 2-4, HR (10), 2 RBI (24), RS -- .307
2B Giavotella 2-3, BB, RBI (54), RS -- .319
LF Orlando 2-3, 2B (20), HR (10), RBI (57), RS -- .314
C Eigsti 2-3, RBI (2), K, RS -- .158
CF D. Robinson 0-4, 2 K -- .289
3B Fields 1-3 -- .222
RF Van Stratten 0-2, BB -- .280

Montgomery 7 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 5 K, pickoff, WP -- W, 5-2, 2.92 ERA, back on track
Sisk 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 4.90 ERA

* Mike Montgomery had a good night and the Naturals got a nice win over Frisco. Ryan Eigsti singled in a run in the 3rd and that was all Montgomery had to work with until the 6th. He stranded 2 in the 4th and that was the biggest threat he faced. Johnny Giavotella singled in a run in the 6th and Eric Hosmer socked his 10th AA homer for a 2-run shot. Paulo Orlando went solo for his 10th in the 7th. Brandon Sisk allowed a run in the 9th before finishing it. The Naturals are 32-21.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Lynchburg 7, Blue Rocks 0

3B Frost 2-3, K, SB (13) -- .233
SS Colon 1-4, 2B (10) -- .273, 11-game hit streak
LF Ortiz 1-4, K, CS (13) -- .292
C Myers 0-4, K -- .369
CF Norris had OF assists at third and second.

Melville 6 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K, HRA, pickoff -- L, 2-11, 5.29 ERA, hard luck loss
Dennick 2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, K -- 6.75 ERA
J. Thompson IP, 3 ER, 4 H -- 8.24 ERA

* A 1-0 game became a blowout late as Lynchburg's 3 pitchers hurled a shutout. The Rocks stranded 2 in the 2nd and Tim Melville's only misstep was a solo homer he gave up in the 4th. Ryan Dennick gave up a run in the 7th and then 2 in the 8th. James Thompson poured on 3 more runs in the 9th and the Rocks didn't threaten. The Rocks are 28-25. Game 2 is Saturday.

A - Burlington: rainout

* The finale with Peoria was cancelled and will not be made up. A 4-game home set with the Beloit Snappers (26-23, A Twins) starts Saturday. Keaton Hayenga will try once more to pick up his 2nd win.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Helena 4, Chukars 3

DH David 1-4, HR (2), RBI (14), 2 K, RS -- .302, ejected in 9th
C T. Jones 1-4, RBI (9), K, SB, picked off, 2 E (5) -- .273
1B Watts 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K -- .296
RF Reggie Taylor had an assist at the plate.

Billo 5 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 9 H, 2 BB, 7 K, HRA -- 4.76 ERA
Mariot 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 6 K -- L, 2-2, 3.62 ERA

* Helena broke up a tie game in the 8th. Greg Billo hit trouble in the 1st but Reggie Taylor bailed him out by gunning down a runner at the plate to end the inning. Billo wasn't able to escape the 2nd without damage as a leadoff homer sparked a 3-run inning to make it 3-0 Brewers. Kevin David broke up a perfect game in the 5th with a leadoff homer for his 2nd as a pro and Travis Jones singled home a run before Malcom Culver stole home to tie the game. A 2-out RBI double off Mike Mariot in the 8th was the difference. The Chukars loaded the bases in the 9th but Jones struck out to end the game. IF is 4-16. IF came back but fell short to lose, 10-7, Thursday. Game 2 is Saturday.

Rookie - Burlington: B-Royals 7, Kingsport 2

2B Piterson 2-5, RBI (26), K, RS, SB (11), CS (8) -- .265
3B Y. Figueroa 2-4, RS, E (18) -- .245
SS Liberto 1-3, BB, HBP, RBI (5), K, RS -- .269
1B Stovall 1-4, BB, RBI (22), K, CS (7) -- .309
RF Howard 0-1, 3 BB, RBI (11), RS -- .240
DH Jenkins 0-4, K -- .252
CF Llanos 1-4, 2B (14), SB (15), RS -- .249
LF D. Rodriguez 1-1, 2 BB, S, 2B (5), 2 RS, SB (15) -- .202

Simmons 6 IP, ER, 7 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- W, 5-2, 2.96 ERA
Giovenco 2 IP, UER, 2 BB, WP -- 6.81 ERA
D. Hernandez IP, H -- 1.80 ERA

* Crawford Simmons pitched well again and the Royals evened the series. Ryan Stovall singled in a run in the 1st and the Royals followed up with 4 in the 2nd on an Anthony Howard RBI groundout, Alex Llanos steal of home, a run-scoring error and a Mike Liberto RBI single. Simmons escaped a bases loaded situation in the 2nd stranded 2 in the 5th. The Mets finally got to Crawford for a run in the 6th and scored another run off Mike Giovenco without a hit in the 7th. A Mets error scored a Royal run in the 8th and Luis Piterson singled in another insurance run to make it 7-2. Daniel Hernandez finished it. The B-Royals are 26-31. The series wraps Saturday. Kingsport prevailed, 8-3, Thursday.

Rookie - AZL: Royals 2, Mariners 0

2B Soto 1-3, RBI (19), RS -- .241
C Marquez 0-3, RBI (3) -- .164
CF Conner 0-4, K -- .211
SS Antonio 0-4 -- .254
1B Moreno 1-3, 2B (19), RS -- .317
LF Sandford 1-3, CS (5) -- .298

A. Baez 3 IP, 2 H, BB, 6 K -- 7.36 ERA
G. Cuevas IP, H, 2 K -- 15.63 ERA
Jon. Rodriguez 4 IP, 4 H, 5 K -- W, 4-3, 3.31 ERA
Gatrell IP, K -- SV, 10, 1.47 ERA

* Four Royals pitchers combined on a shutout of the M's. Victor Soto hit an RBI single and Alex Marquez hit an RBI forceout in the 2nd to mark the game's only runs. Angel Baez left the bases full in the 2nd and then stranded 2 in the 3rd. Jonathan Rodriguez had a nice 4-inning stint and Tyler Gatrell finished it for his 10th save. The Royals are 25-23.

Royals on the Farm 8/19

AAA - Omaha: The Royals are down, 4-0, in the 6th to Fresno

1B Thorman 2-2, 2B (26) -- .267
LF Lough 1-2 -- .274, Royals only have 3 hits
CF Dyson 0-3 -- .260
3B Moustakas 0-2 -- .267
SS Lucas 0-2 -- .304, slumping
RF Parraz 0-1, HBP, K -- .259

B. Hardy 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- 2.75 ERA, don't get the move to the rotation at this point, he had been one of the best RPs in system

* Omaha is being shut out on 3 hits as the game goes to the 6th. Fresno scored 2 off Blaine Hardy in the 1st and the Grizz added 2 in the 4th. Omaha stranded 2 in the 5th, but so did Fresno. That's where it sits. Oh, wait, Omaha has scored a run in the 6th on Mike Moustakas' 7th homer at AAA (his 28th of the season overall). Huzzah. Omaha won Wednesday's game, 5-0. Anthony Lerew is set to start Friday's series finale. He was named the PCL Pitcher of the Week for last week after a good start.

AA - NW Arkansas: Frisco 5, Naturals 4

RF Van Stratten 2-4, 2 RBI (32), K -- .282
C Pina 1-3, BB, RBI (37) -- .260
1B Hosmer 1-4, BB, 2 RS, SB (3), E (2) -- .301
2B Giavotella 1-4, BB, K -- .317
CF D. Robinson 0-4, BB, K, RS, 2 SB (46) -- .291
DH Fields 1-4, 2B, K -- .167
LF C. Robinson 1-2, 2 BB, RS, E (14) -- .320, LF??? Fields must not be ready to field

Lamb 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HRA -- 7.94 ERA
R. Hardy 2 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 K -- L, 4-2, 3.65 ERA
Swaggerty IP, nothing -- 3.83 ERA
Barrera IP, K -- 2.55 ERA

* A 7th inning run gave Frisco the W. A run-scoring wild pitch and bases-loaded Manny Pina walk made it 2-0 Nats in the 1st. John Lamb had a bad 3rd as the 'Riders scored 4 runs thanks mostly to a 3-run homer. Nick Van Stratten singled home Eric Hosmer in the 3rd to cut the lead to 1 and Van Stratten singled home Clint Robinson in the 5th to tie it. The RoughRiders got a run on 2 hits off Rowdy Hardy in the 7th and that ended up being the gamebreaker. The Nats didn't threaten thereafter. The Nats are 31-21. The series concludes Friday.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 6, Frederick 5

DH Myers 3-3, BB, HR (3), 4 RBI (29), RS, picked off -- .379, on a power surge
SS Colon 2-4, 2B (9), RBI (24), 2 RS, E (11) -- .273, has made the adjustments, 10-game hit streak
LF Ortiz 2-4, K, 2 RS, SB (26), OF assist at home -- .292
RF Francis 1-4, HR (11), RBI (50), K, RS -- .285
C S. Perez 0-4 -- .267

W. Smith 6 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 6 K, HRA -- 3.69 ERA
Hodgson 2 IP, H, 2 K -- W, 6-9, 4.20 ERA
Baez IP, ER, 3 H -- SV, 1, 4.50 ERA

* Wilmington blew a lead but came back to win. Two singles and a Wil Myers 3-run homer for his 3rd for the Rocks got Wilmington off to a nice start in the 1st. Frederick would answer, tho, as Will Smith worked 3 clean innings but gave up 4 runs in the 4th. Nick Francis led off the 7th with his 11th homer to tie the game. The Rocks moved ahead in the 8th on a Christian Colon RBI double and Myers RBI single. Manauris Baez came in for the 9th and the game came to an exciting end as a 2-out single scored a run but the tying run was thrown out at the plate by Adrian Ortiz to end the game. The Rocks are 28-24. A 3-game home set with the Lynchburg Hillcats (23-27, A-Adv. Reds) starts Friday with Tim Melville taking the mound.

A - Burlington: Bees 7, Peoria 2

2B D. Batista 3-4, 2B (13), HR (5), 3 RBI (27), K, 2 RS -- .233
1B Kuebler 2-3, BB, 2 RS -- .295, has taken step forward this season
3B Hall 2-3, S, RBI (39), SB (18) -- .230
C Theriot 0-2, S, SF, RBI (5), RS -- .256
CF Ferguson 0-4, BB, 2 K, RBI (2) -- .200
SS McClure 0-5, K -- .220
RF Merrifield 0-4, K -- .220
LF Testa 0-4, RS -- .275

Odenbach 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- W, 8-9, 4.70 ERA
Encarnacion 1/3 IP, H, 2 BB -- 6.75 ERA
Morizio 1 2/3 IP, H, K -- SV, 1, 6.75 ERA

* Dusty Odenbach had another good start as the Bees put the game away with 4 in the 9th. Odenbach allowed a run in the 1st and stranded 2 in the 2nd but Jose Bonilla tripled and scored on an error in the 3rd. Ben Theriot hit a sac fly in the 4th to make it 2-1 Bees. Peoria retied it in the 6th as Odenbach had settled down but Deivy Batista broke the tie with a 2-out solo homer in the 7th for his 5th of the season. Batista followed it up with a 2-run double in the 9th before Gerard Hall singled in a run and Tim Ferguson hit an RBI forceout. Matt Morizio stranded 1 in the 9th for his 1st save. The Bees are 17-33. The rubber match of the series is Friday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Missoula is up on the Chukars, 10-5, in the 6th

LF Taylor 1-1, BB, RBI (2), RS, SB, E (2) -- .216
CF Polonia 1-3, RBI (2), 2 K -- .244
1B Watts 0-1, 2 BB, K -- .297
DH David 0-3 -- .306
3B Zebroski 0-3, K -- .223
C Cornstubble 1-2, RS -- .357

L. Perez 4 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 5 K, HRA, 2 WP -- 6.16 ERA
Caldwell IP, 6 UER, 6 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 6.00 ERA
Rivers 1/3 IP, nothing -- 5.03 ERA

* IF took a momentary lead in the 5th before things fell apart. Leondy Perez gave up a solo homer in the 1st but the Chukars picked him up in the 5th with 3 runs on a Reggie Taylor RBI single, Juan Polonia RBI single and run-scoring error. Missoula answered with 3 runs off Perez and Allen Caldwell in the 5th and then 6 in the 6th off Caldwell. Polonia has singled home 2 more runs in the 7th to tighten it to 10-5 but the Chukars left the bases full. IF came back but fell, 4-3, on Wednesday.

Rookie - Burlington: Kingsport is up, 5-1, in the 8th on the B-Royals

3B-SS Stovall 0-3, RBI (20) -- .307
SS Liberto 1-1, 2B -- .261
DH Jenkins 0-3, 2 K -- .261
1B Baldwin 1-3, 2 K, SB, E (12) -- .173
CF Llanos 1-3, 2 K -- .250

Dooley IP, 3 ER, 4 H, K, HRA -- 5.03 ERA
Penny 5 IP, BB, 5 K, pickoff -- 1.57 ERA
Ramsey IP, 2 UER, 2 H -- 9.64 ERA
Bavera IP, 2 H, K, balk -- 4.13 ERA

* The Mets are up late on the Royals. They got it started with 3 in the 1st off Jonathan Dooley. Ryan Stovall hit an RBI groundout in the 1st but the Royals have squandered their other chances. The Royals are 25-30. The game got started late because the Mets had bus problems.

Rookie - AZL: Rangers 10, Royals 5 (7/G1)

CF Conner 2-4, 2B (4), 2 RBI (15), 2 RS -- .217
C Shin 1-3, 2B (3), 2 RBI (11), 2 K, PB (5) -- .167
SS Antonio 1-4, 2 K -- .254
1B Moreno 1-3, K -- .301
LF Sandford 1-3, 3B (3), 2 K, RS -- .303

Ventura 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- 3.83 ERA
Kreich IP, 3 R (2 ER), H, 2 BB, E (2), WP -- L, 2-2, 6.43 ERA
Boruff 2 IP, 4 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, K -- 2.57 ERA

* The Rangers turned it on late to win in a makeup game. The Rangers scored a run in the 1st but an error scored the tying run in the bottom of the frame. The Rangers scored another run in the 2nd but Darian Sandford tripled in the 3rd and scored to tie the game. A solo homer in the 4th made it 3-2 Rangers and they scored 2 more off Kyle Kreich in the 5th. Cameron Conner singled in a run in the 5th and Jin-Ho Shin hit a 2-run double to tie it at 5. The Rangers scored 3 in the 6th, tho, and 2 in the 7th.

The Royals are up, 5-0, on the Rangers in the nightcap in the 5th

DH Antonio 2-3, 2 2B (9), RBI (10) -- .264
1B Moreno 3-3, 2B (18), 3B (5), RBI (28), 2 RS -- .317
LF Sandford 0-2, RBI (7) -- .297
C Marquez 0-2 -- .160

R. Brown 4 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 1.73 ERA, so far so good

* The Royals have set up a chance at a split in the second game. Mike Antonio doubled in a run in the 3rd and the Royals picked up 2 in the 4th on a run-scoring error and Darian Sandford RBI forceout. A Henry Moreno triple scored 2 more in the 5th and was aided by another Ranger error. The Rangers have gotten on the board with 3 in the 5th off Rudy Brown.