Royals on the Farm 5/25

A link between the glory days Royals and the sorry days Royals has left us with the passing of Paul Splittorff. Chris Jaffe of Hardball Times posted a nice piece about "Split" and his career today. His consistency and durability helped him become the franchise's winningest pitcher and he continued to stick by KC after his career was done. He was part of a special time in Royals history, and it grows more special with each year that passes that the Royals linger in sub-mediocrity (if that's a word). Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

AAA - Omaha: rainout

* Some monster spring weather took a toll on the Chasers' schedule Wednesday, as the game will be made up as a Thursday double dip. Jeff Suppan and, perhaps, Jeremy Jeffress? will start the games.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 6, Frisco 2

RF Van Stratten 3-4, 3 RBI (23), RS, picked off, OF assist at second -- .252, nice game for Nick
SS Colon 2-4, SF, RBI (23), RS -- .257
C S. Perez 2-4, RS -- .277
DH Romak 1-4, 2B (7), RBI (23) -- .260
2B Bianchi 1-4, RBI (17), K -- .244
CF D. Robinson 1-5, K, RS, SB (10) -- .238

Baumann 6 IP, 2 H, 7 K -- W, 1-2, 4.60 ERA, nice game, Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuddy (anyone remember Pauly Shore?)
Paulino 1 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, K -- 3.62 ERA
Sisk 1/3 IP, K -- 4.42 ERA
Keating IP, nothing -- 4.66 ERA

* The Naturals had a solid game behind a good start from Buddy Baumann. Neither team had a baserunner until the 3rd. Action picked up in the 5th as Nick Van Stratten hit a 2-out, 2-run single to break the ice. Baumann gave up one extra-base hit and was never in serious trouble. Jeff Bianchi hit a 2-out RBI single in the 5th and the Naturals pulled away in the 6th with a Van Stratten RBI single, Christian Colon sac fly and Jamie Romak RBI double. Eduardo Paulino lost the shutout in the 8th but Brandon Sisk got out of the jam and Patrick Keating hurled a perfect 9th. RF Engel Beltre had 2 hits and 2B Renny Osuna drove in 2 runs (19). NWA is 22-18. The teams square off again Thursday with Will Smith (3-4, 4.91) starting for the Nats.

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

C Bonilla 2-3, 2B (2), 2 RBI (13), RS -- .278
CF Prades 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RS -- .357
RF Testa 1-4, 2B (12), RBI (16), 3 K -- .317
3B Whittleman 0-3, SF, RBI (29), K, E (7) -- .253
DH Merrifield 1-4, K, RS -- .309
2B Navarro 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .314

Sample 4 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K, WP -- 2.84 ERA
Marks 4 IP, ER, 4 H, 6 K -- 5.48 ERA
Lafferty IP, K -- W, 1-1, 2.35 ERA

* Wilmington found its mojo in the 8th and pulled out a walkoff win. The Keys scored 1 in the 1st off Tyler Sample and an error scored the Keys' run in the 3rd. Jose Bonilla got the Rocks on the board with an RBI double in the 3rd but the Keys finished off Sample and greeted Justin Marks with a combined 2 runs in the 5th. A double play scored a run for Wilmington in the 5th but 2 doubles made it 5-2 Keys in the 6th. Bonilla hit a key RBI single in the 8th, Carlo Testa hit an RBI double and a John Whittleman sac fly tied the game. Yem Prades led off the 9th with a double, moved to third on a sac bunt, and a wild pitch allowed him to score to end the game in the 9th. 1B Tyler Townsend was 4-4 with his 29th RBI to improve to .309 and 2B Bobby Stevens had 3 hits and 2 RS. The Rocks are 28-17. They have Thursday off.

A - Kane County: rainout

* The game was cancelled and will not be made up. The series wraps up under the big lights as the teams will play the finale in Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Leonel Santiago will start.