Royals on the Farm 9/15 -- NWA grabs game 1

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 7, Midland 2 (NWA leads TLCS, 1-0)

3B Seratelli 2-3, 2 HR (5), 4 RBI (8), 2 RS -- .438, trying to steal Hosmer's thunder?
DH C. Robinson 1-4, HR (2), RBI (8), RS -- .375
C Pina 1-2, HBP, HR, 2 RBI (4), K, 2 RS -- .105
CF D. Robinson 0-4, K -- .259
1B Hosmer 1-4, K, E -- .320
2B Giavotella 1-3, BB, K -- .429

Duffy 5 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, BB, 5 K, pickoff -- W, 1-0, 1.69 ERA
B. Johnson 2 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 3.12 ERA
Keating 1 1/3 IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 2, 3.60 ERA

* Midland took a 2-0 lead early but it was all Naturals thereafter as NW Arkansas grabbed the advantage in the Texas League Championship Series. Johnny Giavotella was thrown out at the plate in the NWA 1st, and Danny Duffy loaded the bases with 0 out in the 2nd and ended up giving up 2 runs before the dust settled. The offense picked him up quick as Manny Pina drove a 2-run homer to left for his 1st of the playoffs in the bottom of the 2nd. Anthony Seratelli hit a 2-out, 2-run homer in the 4th for his 4th of the playoffs to make it 4-2 NWA and Duffy left the bases full in the 5th. Seratelli slugged another 2-run longball in the 7th for his 2nd of the game and 5th of the playoffs, and Clint Robinson went solo in the 8th for his 2nd homer of the playoffs. Blake Johnson and Patrick Keating combined for 4 scoreless innings in relief of Duffy. Game 2 is Thursday in Springdale. I assume it'll be Everett Teaford on the mound for the Nats.



In other Royals minors news....Omaha has announced the 24 names up for the new team name -- I voted for the Windwalkers, Diamond Dogs and Hailstorm, even though I'm not big on the collective names....I disliked in particular the Prairie Thunder, Omahogs, Storm Chasers, and the Pride. Thunderbolts, Locomotives, and Thunderbats would make the cut for me.........In Wilmington, Wil Myers was named to the Sporting News' All-Minors Team.