Royals on the Farm 9/20 -- Not quite enough

Luis Mendoza with the win tonight for KC! Hope he can finish strong at the MLB level.

AAA - Omaha: Columbus 8, Storm Chasers 3

2B Zawadzki 2-4
RF Cain 1-4, BB, 3B, 2 RBI, RS
1B Whittleman 1-3, BB, RBI, 2 K
SS Falu 0-2, 3 BB, RS
LF Lough 1-5, RS
DH Ka'aihue 1-4, K
Omaha stranded 10.

O'Sullivan 3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, BB, HRA, WP -- L, 0-1, 18.00 ERA
Lebron 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 K, WP
Sisk IP, H
Herrera IP, ER, H, K, HRA

* The best Omaha season in 21 years ended unfortunately Tuesday as the PCL champs couldn't keep the early momentum and the Clippers earned a second straight AAA Championship. Clippers SP Joe Martinez got off to a rough beginning as Lorenzo Cain ripped a 2-run triple and scored on a John Whittleman single to give Omaha a 3-0 lead. The Chasers stranded 2 in the 2nd and Sean O'Sullivan gave up a 2-out 3-run homer to C Luke Carlin to tie it in the bottom of the inning. Columbus scratched out 3 more runs in the 3rd and, after Willy Lebron took over in the 4th, another RBI single made it 7-3 Clippers. Omaha stranded 2 in both the 5th and 8th. Kelvin Herrera served up a solo homer to 1B Beau Mills in the 8th and the Chasers stranded 2 more in the 9th. Martinez went 7 innings before Chen Lee pitched the final 2 scoreless frames. 1B Clint Robinson didn't play in the game because of a sports hernia.

That's another season in the books, my sixth full season working up the reports. If you're reading it for the first time or the 500th time, thanks.

Royals on the Farm 9/19

AAA - Omaha: off day

* The final Royals' minors game of the 2011 season will take place Tuesday in Albuquerque as Sean O'Sullivan starts for Omaha in the AAA Championship Game versus the Columbus Clippers (88-56, AAA Indians) and their starter, Mitch Talbot. Topeka native Jerad Head is a standout on the Clippers' roster, and also on the squad is former Omaha C Paul Phillips. Columbus won the AAA Championship Game in 2010.

Royals on the Farm 9/16 -- Storm Chasers catch a title

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 11, Sacramento 6

2B Zawadzki 4-5, 2B (2), 3 RBI (5), RS -- .400
LF Lough 2-6, HR, 2 RBI (5), K, 2 RS -- .314
1B Ka'aihue 2-5, 2B (2), 2 RBI (8), 2 K, RS -- .214
SS Falu 2-5, 2B (2), RBI (4), 2 RS -- .286
DH Robinson 2-3, 2 BB, 2 2B (3), RS -- .385
C Pina 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (2), RBI (8), 2 RS -- .368
CF Dyson 1-5, BB, RBI (6), RS -- .212
RF Cain 0-4, HBP, K -- .438

Montgomery 5 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 6 K -- W, 1-0, 5.63 ERA, 94 pitches, good enough, ends season with good start
Pucetas 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, K, WP -- 12.00 ERA
Miner IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB -- 3.60 ERA
Sisk 1 1/3 IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Herrera IP, ER, H, BB, HRA -- 1.80 ERA

* Omaha made it another year with a team title in the Royals' minors as they swept the RiverCats in Sacramento in Friday. Mike Montgomery stranded 2 in the 1st but Manuel Pina and Lance Zawadzki hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the 2nd to take the lead. Omaha left the bases loaded in the 3rd and then added 4 runs in the 5th on a Kila Ka'aihue RBI single, Irving Falu RBI double and 2-run Zawadzki single to make it 6-0. Montgomery stranded 2 more in the 5th, then handed the ball to Kevin Pucetas in the 6th. David Lough clubbed a 2-run homer in the 6th to give Pucetas an 8-0 lead. Things got a little shaky from there as Pucetas gave up 3 runs before getting pulled. An error and Jarrod Dyson RBI single made it 10-3 in the 7th, and Zach Miner allowed 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to cut it to 10-5. Ka'aihue doubled in a run in the 8th to keep the pressure on, and Kelvin Herrera gave up a leadoff homer in the 9th before finishing it. The win puts Omaha in the AAA Championship Game Tuesday in Albuquerque versus the Columbus Clippers (AAA Indians). Luis Mendoza was named PCL Postseason MVP to finish a great season, which I assume will actually continue with an MLB start or two.

No concrete plans at this point on how to finish up the season, since I've done all the stat wraps. I'll probably file one more report Tuesday, then may add a top prospects list later. In any event, thanks for reading this season.

Royals on the Farm 9/15 -- one last off day

AAA - Omaha: off day

* Mike Montgomery will get a chance to close out the series with the start Friday in game 3.

Royals on the Farm 9/14 -- Omaha makes best of home field

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 15, Sacramento 4

CF Dyson 4-6, 2B, HR, 4 RBI (5), 3 RS, SB -- .214
DH Robinson 3-5, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (5), RS -- .348
LF Lough 3-5, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (3), 3 RS -- .310
RF Cain 2-5, SF, 2B (3), RBI (4), 3 K, RS -- .500
SS Falu 2-4, S, 2B, RBI (3), 2 RS -- .261
3B Mertins 2-4, BB, RBI (2), 2 RS -- .333
C Pina 1-3, 2 BB, 2 RBI (7), K, RS -- .375
2B Zawadzki 1-5, RBI (2), 2 RS -- .200
1B Ka'aihue 0-5, 5 K -- .174, platinum sombrero?

Mazzaro 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- W, 2-0, 3.97 ERA
Pucetas IP, ER, 2 H, BB -- 3.86 ERA
Sisk IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Miner IP, K -- 0.00 ERA
Castaneda IP, H, BB -- 0.00 ERA

* Hopefully Omaha saved some runs for the road trip to California. The Chasers shrugged off a 3-0 deficit early to drub the RiverCats Wednesday and take a 2-0 series lead. A 2-run homer was part of a 3-run 1st off Vin Mazzaro as the 'Cats took the lead. Lorenzo Cain hit a sac fly in the 1st and Lance Zawadzki singled in a run in the 2nd to quickly cut the lead to 3-2. With 2 out and 2 on in the 3rd, Omaha took command as Manuel Pina hit a 2-run single, an error scored a run and Kurt Mertins and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles to make it 7-3. Mazzaro left the bases loaded in the 4th and Kevin Pucetas allowed a run in the 6th. Clint Robinson singled in a run and Irving Falu squeeze bunted home a run in the 6th to make it 9-4. David Lough added a 2-run single and Robinson hit an RBI groundout as Omaha poured it on in the 7th. Dyson finished the scoring with a 3-run blast in the 8th for his 1st playoff homer. The teams have Thursday off before picking up Friday in Sacramento.

Royals on the Farm 9/13 -- Omaha takes game 1

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 3, Sacramento 2

RF Cain 3-4, 3B (2), RBI (3) -- .522
SS Falu 1-4, RBI (2) -- .211
2B Zawadzki 1-4, 2B, RBI, K -- .200
LF Lough 1-4, RS -- .250
DH Robinson 0-2, 2 BB, K -- .278

Mendoza 7 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 8 K, HRA, WP -- W, 2-0, 1.29 ERA
Herrera 2 IP, 2 K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

* A back-and-forth game ended up going the way of the Chasers as Luis Mendoza picked up his 2nd 2011 playoff win. Omaha loaded the bases with 1 out in the 1st but only got a run on an Irving Falu single before leaving 'em loaded. The Chasers wasted a Lorenzo Cain leadoff triple in the 3rd, and Mendoza's fledgling no-hitter was broken up by a solo homer in the 4th. The RiverCats got a go-ahead RBI double in the 6th. Lance Zawadzki came through with a 2-out RBI double to tie it in the 6th, but was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning. Mendoza stranded 2 in the 7th and, after a 2-out David Lough single in the bottom of the inning, a Cain single scored Lough from first to make it 3-2 Omaha. Kelvin Herrera retired all 6 he faced to lock down the victory for the Chasers. Omaha leads the best-of-5, 1-0. Game 2 is Wednesday with Vin Mazzaro starting.

Royals on the Farm 9/12

AAA - Omaha: off day

* Omaha will welcome the Sacramento RiverCats (88-56 reg. season, AAA A's) for the first game of the best-of-5 on Tuesday. Luis Mendoza will start. The teams split a 4-game set in the regular season with 4 narrow margins of victory.

Royals on the Farm 9/11 -- Cougars done

Put me in the camp of people who can't believe it's already been 10 years since one horrible Tuesday. Thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those killed in New York City, D.C. and Pennsylvania, and those who have lost their lives fighting the war on terror since that day. Rarely in my life have I felt as raw of emotions as I did around that time...I think it's silly to say "never forget" because if you were alive and cognizant on that day, how could you ever forget?

AAA - Omaha: off day

* Reno and Sacramento are headed to a cutthroat game 5 today, so the Chasers will know later who they'll face in Tuesday's game 1. The first 2 games are set for Omaha with games 3 (and 4 and 5, if necessary) at either the D-Backs or A's affiliate.

A - Kane County: Quad Cities 6, Cougars 5

C David 1-4, HR, RBI, 2 K, PB, RS -- .143
1B Kuebler 1-3, 3B, 2 RBI, K, RS -- .133
2B Franco 1-3, BB, HR (2), RBI (3), K, RS, CS -- .176
DH Espinal 0-2, SF, RBI, K -- .000
LF Fletcher 0-4, 2 K -- .105
3B Cuthbert 0-4, 3 K -- .211
CF Eibner 0-3, BB, 2 K, RS, SB -- .176

J. Mitchell 8 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 9 K, WP -- 1.13 ERA
Boruff 1/3 IP, 2 ER, H, BB, WP -- 13.50 ERA
A. Cruz 0 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, HRA -- BS, 1, L, 0-1, 6.00 ERA, gave up walkoff 3-run homer

* Kane County snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as the 2011 season came to an abrupt end on Sunday. The Cougars had a 5-0 lead in the 8th with an eye on a Monday game 3, but it was not to be. Jason Mitchell had a great start, and got support from a 2nd inning solo homer by Kevin David and 3 runs in the 5th on a 2-run Jake Kuebler triple and Yowill Espinal sac fly. Angel Franco ripped a solo homer in the 8th for his 2nd of the playoffs and Mitchell had a 5-0 shutout going. An RBI double and run-scoring passed ball ended the shutout, but Chase Boruff was handed a 5-2 lead in the 9th. The Bandits had 1 out and a runner at third when Boruff allowed an RBI single and was yanked for Antonio Cruz. Cruz allowed a single, then served up a walkoff 3-run homer to CF Nicholas Longmire to end it.

Royals on the Farm 9/10 -- Kila puts Omaha in PCL Champ Series

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 4, Round Rock 2 (10)

LF Lough 2-5 -- .250
1B Ka'aihue 1-3, BB, S, walkoff HR, 2 RBI (6), 2 RS -- .267, Ghostface!
3B Arias 1-3, BB, 2B (2), RBI, K -- .375
C Clark 1-4, RBI, 2 K -- .250
RF Cain 1-4, BB, 2B (2) -- .474
DH Robinson 1-4, BB, 2 RS -- .313

O'Sullivan 8 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, 7 K, HRA -- 1.13 ERA
Sisk 2/3 IP, 2 BB, K -- 0.00 ERA
Pucetas 1 1/3 IP, K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA

* Kila Ka'aihue used one swing of the bat to put Omaha in the Pacific Coast League Championship Series. Cody Clark singled in a run in the 2nd and Sean O'Sullivan took a perfect game into the 7th. Joaquin Arias doubled Ka'aihue home in the 6th to make it 2-0. O'Sullivan issued a walk in the 7th to spoil the perfecto but kept the no-hitter intact until 3B Luis Cruz tied it with a 2-run homer in the 8th. Kevin Pucetas stranded 2 in the 9th and, after a 1-out Clint Robinson walk in the 10th, Kila laid the Express to rest with a 2-run bomb off the right foul pole. Omaha moves on to the best-of-5 PCL Championship Series versus either Reno or Sacramento. Reno leads that series, 2 games to 1, going into game 4 today. The Championship Series will start Tuesday.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 9, Naturals 5

CF Orlando 3-4, K, 2 RS -- .333
2B Bianchi 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, RS, CS -- .286
DH Smith 1-4, HR, RBI (2), K, RS -- .200
C Eigsti 0-2, BB, RBI -- .000
SS Colon 1-5, E -- .067, not his best in the playoffs
RF Myers 0-3, HBP, 2 K, E -- .100, ditto

Jeffress 3 2/3 IP, 6 R (3 ER), 6 H, 3 BB, 3 K, HRA, 2 WP, E -- L, 0-1, 7.36 ERA, had a bad feeling it would go this way
Volz 1 1/3 IP, ER, 2 H, K, HRA, pickoff -- 2.25 ERA
Baumann 2 IP, H, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Dennick IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB -- 18.00 ERA
Dobies IP, BB -- 0.00 ERA

* And then there were 2. The NW Arkansas Naturals will not get a chance to repeat as Texas League champs, as Arkansas battered Jeremy Jeffress and didn't look back Saturday. Jeffress got out to a rough start as 3B Luis Jimenez hammered a 3-run homer in the 1st. NWA stranded 2 in the 3rd and the Travs chased Jeffress with a 3-run 4th. Tim Smith led off the Naturals 4th with his 1st playoff homer and a wild pitch and Jeff Bianchi groundout added runs to trim it to 6-3. Jimenez clubbed his 2nd homer of the game in the 5th off Kendal Volz. Bianchi hit an RBI double and Ryan Eigsti drove in a run with a groundout in the 6th to cut it to 7-5. Ryan Dennick gave up 2 RBI doubles in the 8th and the Naturals didn't threaten any further comebacks.

A - Kane County: Quad Cities 7, Cougars 0 (4-hitter)

3B Cuthbert 2-3 -- .267
CF Eibner 1-3 -- .214
SS Calixte 1-3 -- .167
LF Fletcher 0-4, 2 K, assist at second -- .133

L. Perez 4 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 9.00 ERA
Garrido 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 6.75 ERA
Carl 2 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 K -- 4.15 ERA

* It was all Bandits in Saturday's game 1 as SP Trevor Rosenthal pitched a complete-game shutout. Quad Cities got the only run they needed in the 2nd, then added 2 in the 3rd and 1 in the 4th. KC stranded 2 in the 2nd, and wouldn't threaten again. The Bandits polished it off with 2 in the 7th and 1 in the 9th. The series shifts to Quad Cities for Sunday's must-win game 2 for the Cougars. Jason Mitchell will start.

Royals on the Farm 9/9 -- Judgment night: Cougars move on, Nats stay alive

Say what you will about Judgment Night, the Emilio Estevez/Cuba Gooding Jr./Denis Leary movie from the '90s, but that was a great soundtrack.

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 9, Storm Chasers 8 (11)

RF Cain 5-6, 2B, K, 3 RS -- .533, GIVE 'EM A DOSE!
1B Ka'aihue 2-3, BB, HBP, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, K, RS -- .250, vintage Kila game
3B-1B Arias 2-6, 2B, K, RS, E -- .385
LF Lough 1-6, RBI, 3 K, RS, assist at home -- .200
DH Robinson 1-4, 2 BB, RBI (3), 2 K, RS -- .333
C Pina 1-3, 2 BB, RBI (5) -- .444
SS Falu 0-4, S, SF, RBI -- .182
Omaha stranded 11.

Montgomery 3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 3 K, HRA, WP -- 15.00 ERA, hasn't seemed to settle in at AAA all season
Tejeda 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 4.50 ERA
Castaneda 3 IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA, nice
Miner 3 IP, 3 UER, 5 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 0.00 ERA

* The Chasers gave Round Rock all they could, but the Express lived to play another day on Friday. Mike Montgomery had a start to forget, but David Lough kept him off the hook early with an assist at the plate to end the Express 2nd. A Chad Tracy grand slam keyed a 5-run Round Rock 3rd off Montgomery. Omaha started digging itself out slowly as Lough hit an RBI groundout in the 3rd, but Round Rock got the run back in the 5th. Kila Ka'aihue made his presence felt with a 2-run homer in the 6th and Manny Pina singled in a run to trim it to 6-4. Ka'aihue came back up in the 7th and clipped a clutch 2-run double to tie the game. Zach Miner got a bases-loaded double play to escape the 10th, and Mike Jirschele's decision to pinch run for Kila with Lance Zawadzki in the bottom of the 10th would factor in later. Omaha left the bases loaded in the inning and 2 Chaser errors in the 11th helped Round Rock grab a 9-6 lead. Clint Robinson singled in a run in the bottom of the frame and Zawadzki, hitting in Ka'aihue's place, popped out before an Irving Falu sac fly cut the lead to 1. Joaquin Arias struck out to end it, tho. Omaha will try to drive a stake into the Express' hearts Saturday as Sean O'Sullivan starts. Omaha GM Martie Cordaro was named PCL Exec of the Year on Friday. That's the first Omaha rep to be so named since 1990.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 3, Arkansas 1

1B Romak 1-4, RBI -- .111
RF Myers 0-1, 3 BB, RBI -- .143
LF Robinson 1-4, K, RS -- .182
DH T. Smith 1-3, BB, 2 RS, SB -- .182

M. Santiago 6 IP, UER, 4 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Lafferty IP, BB -- 0.00 ERA
Hardy 2 IP, K -- SV, 1, 3.38 ERA

* The Naturals offense finally stepped up to reward a third straight good start and stay alive in the Texas League playoffs. Mario Santiago allowed a run in the 1st to start on a sour note, but Jamie Romak hit a 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Derrick Robinson scored on a wild pitch in the 5th to make it 2-1 NWA. Wil Myers took a bases-loaded walk in the 8th and Blaine Hardy finished it for his 1st save of the postseason. The Travs will have another chance to finish off the Naturals Saturday. Jeremy Jeffress will start.

A - Kane County: Cougars 3, Burlington 2

CF Eibner 1-4, 3B, RBI, 3 K -- .182
LF Fletcher 1-4, 2B, RBI (2), 2 K, RS -- .182
2B Franco 1-4, 3B, RBI (2) -- .200
3B Cuthbert 0-4, K, E -- .167

Adam 5 2/3 IP, 2 UER, 4 H, 5 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Rivers 2 IP, H, K -- 0.00 ERA
Rogers 1/3 IP, K -- 0.00 ERA
Boruff IP, BB -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

* The Cougars became the first Royals affiliate to advance in the 2011 postseason with a narrow win over the former Royals affiliate, the Bees. Brian Fletcher got it started with an RBI double in the 4th and Brett Eibner tripled him home to give Jason Adam a 2-0 lead. Angel Franco added an RBI triple in the 5th to make it 3-0. Burlington's only runs came on 1 play in the 6th as Orlando Calixte and Kevin David made errors and 2 runs scored to cut the lead to 1. Nick Rogers stranded the tying run at third in the 8th and Chase Boruff worked around a walk in the 9th for his 1st save and the series win. The Cougars will take on the Quad Cities River Bandits (A Cardinals) in a best-of-3 series starting Saturday in Elfstrom Stadium. Leondy Perez will start game 1.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 17, Chukars 9 (Thu.)

3B Mateo 3-4, BB, 3B (4), HR (4), 4 RBI (40), 2 RS -- .348, double shy of cycle
RF Davis 2-5, HR (9), 3 RBI (42), 3 K, RS, E (3) -- .326
LF Fradejas 2-3, BB, RS -- .310
C T. Smith 1-4, HR, RBI (5), K, 2 RS -- .192
2B Piterson 0-4, HBP, RBI (15), RS, 2 E (8) -- .298
DH Gallagher 1-5, RS -- .200
SS DelGuidice 1-5, 2B (7), 2 K -- .355

A. Brooks 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, 7 K -- L, 6-2, 3.84 ERA, not his best night, but 7 K/0 BB is good
Penny 1 1/3 IP, 9 R (8 ER), 7 H, BB, HRA -- 9.84 ERA, yowch
Fassold IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB -- 4.24 ERA
Avinazar IP H, 2 K -- 8.58 ERA

* The Chukars went out with a bang on Thursday, but Orem made most of the noise in a runaway win. The Owlz started it with 3 runs in the 2nd off Aaron Brooks, and they scored 3 again in the 5th to make it 6-0 and chase Brooks from his final Chukars start. Daniel Mateo got IF on the board with his 4th homer of the season in the 6th, but Orem scored 4 that inning off Robert Penny to make it 10-1. Luis Piterson took a bases-loaded HBP in the 7th and Mateo ripped a 3-run triple to cut it to 10-5. The hole was dug deeper, however, as the Owlz hammered out 7 runs off Penny and Cody Fassold in the 7th. Tyler Smith hit his 1st pro homer in the 8th, and the Chukars tacked on 3 runs in the 9th on Runey Davis' 9th homer to make the final score 17-9. The Chukars finished 16-22 in the second half and 33-43 overall.

OPS rundown
OF Runey Davis 1.012 -- .326/.422/.591, 42 RS, 18 2B, 3 3B, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 28 BB/72 K, 7/11 SB, 3 E in 58 G/193 ABs -- hit his stride with Chukars after two unremarkable years in Cubs' system
OF Chris Elder .943 -- .289/.344/.599, 28 RS, 9 2B, 4 3B, 9 HR, 27 RBI, 12 BB/26 K, 1/3 SB, 1 E in 36 G/142 ABs -- nice pro debut
IF Mike Liberto .881 -- .348/.435/.446, 16 RS, 5 2B, 2 3B, 8 RBI, 13 BB/12 K, 8/10 SB, 5 E in 26 G/92 ABs -- his best line of any of his 3 stops in 2011 (A, A-Adv., Rookie) so it makes sense
1B Richard Espy .880 -- .318/.391/.489, 43 RS, 17 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 20 BB/59 K, 2/3 SB, 9 E in 62 G/233 ABs -- solid debut for one of the Eazy Es along with Elder and Edul Escobar
IF Daniel Mateo .867 -- .348/.389/.478, 33 RS, 9 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 40 RBI, 17 BB/43 K, 1/2 SB, 9 E in 56 G/224 ABs -- when he was on was more than the 5th best hitter on the team
Others...OF Justin Fradejas .843 (.310/.414/.429, good pro debut for non-drafted FA)...1B Henry Moreno .838 (11 HR led team)...SS Mike Antonio .829 (only 8 games)...IF Nick DelGuidice .827 (.355/.359/.468, 7 2B, 1 BB/11 K, only 17 games, was still finding his Pioneer League legs)...OF Tyler Chism .771 (solid debut, 260 ABs led team)...3B Mark Threlkeld .755...C Edul Escobar .740...OF Darian Sandford .602...C Tyler Smith .581...C Cameron Gallagher .573 (only 8 games)

WHIP rundown
Edwin Carl 0.61 -- 3-1, 1.36, 5 SV, 3 BB/71 K in 21 G/33 IP -- maybe the craziest line in my 6 years of the reports, now he just needs to figure it out in A-ball
Aaron Brooks 1.22 -- 6-2, 3.84, 7 HRA, 8 BB/73 K in 15 G (13 starts) and 79 2/3 IP -- that's a pretty great K/BB too, great pro debut
Nathan Johnson 1.22 -- 0-1, 4.22, 2 SV, 8 HRA, 9 BB/26 K in 14 G/32 IP -- solid, if unspectacular, pen work
Brian Peacock 1.26 -- 5-5, 4.48, 1 SV, 7 HRA, 21 BB/89 K in 15 G (14 starts) and 74 1/3 IP -- hopefully he gets shot at A ball along with Brooks in 2012
Brennon Martin 1.27 -- 4-6, 4.02, 13 HRA, 9 BB/75 K in 15 starts/87 1/3 IP -- hit the zone a little TOO much, great K/BB but 13 dingers allowed
Others...Mike Giovenco 1.36 (1.64 ERA in only 11 IP)...Spencer Patton 1.44 (15 BB/56 K in 39 2/3 IP)...Cody Fassold 1.63 (4 SV, 13 BB/27 K in 23 1/3 IP)...Kellen Moen 1.70 (2-7, 7.25, 19 BB/51 K in 58 1/3 IP)...it gets ugly thereafter, I'll spare you

Royals on the Farm 9/8 -- Playoff night 2

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 7, Round Rock 2

3B Arias 3-4, K, 2 RS -- .429
C Pina 2-3, BB, HR, 4 RBI, K, RS -- .500
SS Falu 2-4, 2 RS, SB -- .286
DH Robinson 2-4, BB, K -- .375
CF Dyson 1-4, S, RBI, K, RS -- .143
RF Cain 1-5, RBI (2), 2 K -- .333
2B Mertins 0-2, BB, SF, RBI, 2 K -- .400

Mazzaro 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 6 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 2.84 ERA
Lebron 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA
Sisk 2/3 IP, K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

* Omaha had another strong game to take both games in Round Rock and return to Werner Park in the catbird's seat in the series. Manny Pina took a bases-loaded walk in the 2nd and Kurt Mertins added a sac fly before Jarrod Dyson squeezed home a run to make it 3-0 Chasers. Vin Mazzaro gave up a 2-run homer in the bottom of the inning but that was his only misstep. Pina singled in a run in the 6th to make it 4-2. Willy Lebron came in with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 7th and got a big 5-4-3 double play that kept the lead intact. Pina proved himself the star of the night as he slammed a 2-run homer in the 8th for some insurance. Lorenzo Cain hit an RBI forceout in the 9th to make it 7-2. Brandon Sisk came in with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 9th and did his job as a forceout at home and a swinging K finished it. Omaha is up, 2-0, in the best of 5 coming back home for the remainder of the series. Mike Montgomery will make his biggest start of the season in game 3.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 1, Naturals 0 (2-hitter)

CF Orlando 1-3, 2B (2), K -- .250
C Theriot 1-3 -- .333
SS Colon 0-4 -- .000
RF Myers 0-2, HBP -- .167

Odorizzi 6 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K, E -- 0.00 ERA, it's a shame the Nats wasted 2 good starts
E. Garcia 2 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, HRA -- L, 0-1, 3.38 ERA

* The Naturals' offense was once again dynamic (sarcasm) as it was two games, two walkoffs for Arkansas. The Nats were no-hit into the 6th but Jake Odorizzi handed a 1-hit shutout to Edgar Garcia in the 7th. The first two Naturals reached in the 8th but NWA could make nothing of it. Garcia had 2 out in the 9th when LF Roberto Lopez launched a walkoff homer to left to give the Travelers a 2-0 series lead. That means the Naturals have to win out from here to stay alive. Mario Santiago will pitch game 3 back in the friendly confines of Arvest Ballpark.

A - Kane County: Burlington 5, Cougars 1

2B Franco 1-4, HR, RBI, K, RS -- .167
CF Eibner 1-4, K -- .143
3B Cuthbert 1-4, K -- .250
LF Fletcher 0-4, 2 K -- .143

Ventura 3 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- L, 0-1, 12.00 ERA
A. Cruz 3 IP, 3 H, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA
Carl 2 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 4.50 ERA

* It was the Cougars' turn to get shut down on Thursday as the Bees set up a do-or-die game 3 Friday. Angel Franco got it started with a solo homer in the 3rd, but the main problem was the Cougars only had 1 hit after that. The Bees responded big time off Yordano Ventura as 4 straight singles were part of a 4-run rally in the bottom of the inning. The Cougars stranded 2 in the 7th. And, that other hit? Came with 2 outs in the 9th as the Cougs came up short. The best-of-3 series is tied, 1-1. Jason Adam will start the deciding game 3 Friday in Burlington.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 6, Chukars 5 (Wed.)

1B Espy 2-4, 2B (17), 2 RBI (39), K -- .318
RF Davis 2-3, 2B (18), HR (8), RBI (39), K, 2 RS -- .324, ejected in 6th
3B Threlkeld 1-3, BB, HR (4), RBI (31), RS -- .271
SS Antonio 0-3, SF, RBI (5) -- .303
DH Gallagher 1-4 -- .200

Moen 2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, HRA, WP -- L, 2-7, 7.25 ERA
Dooley 4 IP, 4 H, 5 BB, K -- 6.79 ERA
J. Sanchez 2 IP, H -- 8.17 ERA

* Orem pounded Kellen Moen early and held on to slip past Idaho Falls. Moen gave up a 2-run homer before he got an out, then gave up 2 RBI singles later in the 1st inning. Orem added 2 runs in the 2nd and it was 6-0 Owlz. Mike Antonio hit a sac fly in the 3rd and Richard Espy hit a 2-run double to cut it to 6-3. Runey Davis cranked his 8th pro homer in the 4th and Mark Threlkeld hit his 4th pro dinger in the 6th to trim it to 6-5. Davis struck out looking to end the inning and was sent to the showers by the ump. The Chukars got a 9th inning single but made nothing of it.

I'll do the final game recap for IF and the stat recap tomorrow.

Royals on the Farm 9/7 -- Playoff night 1, Mendoza, Billo shine

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 4, Round Rock 0 (5-hitter)

RF Cain 2-4, 3B, RBI, K, RS
2B Mertins 2-3
DH Robinson 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, RS
LF Lough 1-4, RS, assist at second

Mendoza 7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K, WP -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Herrera 2 IP, 4 K -- 0.00 ERA

* A 3-run 1st was key along with another good Luis Mendoza outing as Omaha grabbed the early advantage in the series. Jarrod Dyson was caught stealing in the 1st before Lorenzo Cain tripled in a run and Clint Robinson socked a 2-run homer to make it 3-0. Mendoza stranded 2 in the 3rd and 7th. A Dyson double play ball scored another run in the 8th. Kelvin Herrera sat down all 6 he faced. Omaha leads the best of 5 set, 1-0. Game 2 is Thursday. Vin Mazzaro is set to start. Clint Robinson was the PCL player of the month for August, and rightfully so.

AA - NW Arkansas: Arkansas 2, Naturals 1 (11)

DH Smith 1-5, RBI
LF Robinson 1-3, 2 BB, 2 K, RS, CS
SS Colon 0-3, HBP, S, K
RF Myers 1-4, BB

Dwyer 6 IP, UER, 2 H, 3 BB, 7 K, pickoff -- 0.00 ERA, can't ask for much more
Lafferty 1 1/3 IP, H, 2 BB, K -- 0.00 ERA
Volz 2 2/3 IP, H, BB, 5 K -- 0.00 ERA
Hardy 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 13.50 ERA

* Both teams scored in the 1st, but it would be 10 innings before the next, and final, run would be scored. Tim Smith hit an RBI groundout in the 1st to make it 1-0 NWA, but a 2-out Anthony Seratelli error helped the Travelers tie it in the bottom of the inning. NWA left a runner at third in the 4th and Kendal Volz stranded the bases full of Travs in the 8th. The Nats stranded 2 in the 10th and loaded the bases with 1 out in the 11th only to come up empty, as Paulo Orlando struck out and Wil Myers popped out. Blaine Hardy got 2 outs without incident in the 11th, but a single and walk were followed by a walkoff single by SS Darwin Perez. Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the best of 5. Game 2 is Thursday. Jake Odorizzi will pitch to try to even the series.

A - Kane County: Cougars 4, Burlington 0 (3-hitter)

LF Fletcher 1-3, SF, RBI, RS
SS Calixte 1-3, 2B, RBI, K, SB
RF Beltre 1-3, SF, RBI, RS
CF Eibner 0-3, BB, 3 K
3B Cuthbert 1-4, 2B, 2 K

Billo 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K -- W, 1-0, 0.00 ERA
Rogers 2 IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 1, 0.00 ERA

* The Cougars had only 1 more hit than the Bees but rode a great Greg Billo start to the game 1 win. Billo stranded 2 in the 4th. Cheslor Cuthbert broke up a fledgling no-hit bid with a leadoff double in the 5th but he would be thrown out at the plate in the inning as the scoreless tie continued. Geulin Beltre broke the ice with a sac fly in the 6th and Orlando Calixte doubled in a run in the 7th. A passed ball and Brian Fletcher sac fly increased the lead to 4-0 in the 8th. Nick Rogers hurled two hitless innings to finish it. KC is up, 1-0, in the best of 3. They go for the quick sweep Thursday with Yordano Ventura pitching. Brian Fletcher's regular season .328 average was the second best in Cougars' history behind Jason Stokes' .341 in 2002.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 5, Ogden 4 (Tue.)

LF Elder 3-4, 3B (4), HR (9), RBI (27), RS -- .297, double shy of cycle
3B Mateo 2-4, BB, RBI (36), RS -- .341
2B Piterson 2-5, 2 2B (11), K, RS -- .307
SS Antonio 2-5, K, RS -- .333
1B Moreno 1-5, HR (11), 2 RBI (41), K, RS -- .274
DH Gallagher 0-3, BB, K -- .190
RF Davis 1-4, K, assist at second -- .319

B. Martin 6 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K, HRA, WP -- 4.02 ERA
Avinazar IP, 3 R (2 ER), 2 H, K, WP -- BS, 1, 8.89 ERA
Patton 2 IP, H, 4 K -- W, 3-1, 3.40 ERA

* Idaho Falls scored 3 late runs to take down the Raptors. Ogden hit a solo homer in the 3rd off Brennon Martin but an error scored the tying run for IF in the 4th. Daniel Mateo hit the go-ahead single in the 6th. Martin stranded the bases full in the 6th but Willian Avinazar allowed 3 runs in the 7th. Henry Moreno clubbed a 2-run homer in the 8th for his 11th homer of the season to tie the game, and Chris Elder led off the 9th with his 9th homer to regain the lead for the Chukars. Spencer Patton stranded 1 in the 9th for his 3rd win. IF is 16-20. The final series of the season starts tonight with the first of 2 at the Orem Owlz (22-14, Rookie Angels). Orem already has the second half division title sewn up.

Royals on the Farm 9/6

AAA - Omaha: off day

OPS rundown
Eric Hosmer 1.107 -- .439/.525/.582, look at that line in 26 games, we may never see him back in AAA
1B/DH Clint Robinson .932 -- .326/.399/.533, 86 RS, 35 2B, 23 HR, 100 RBI, 58 BB/88 K, 2/3 SB, 8 E in 134 G/503 ABs -- had down July but was back to best at 1.126 OPS in August, hit .400 in the month, too bad it's a logjam at 1B in the majors
OF Lorenzo Cain .877 -- .312/.380/.497, 84 RS, 28 2B, 7 3B, 16 HR, 81 RBI, 40 BB/102 K, 16/22 SB, 8 E in 128 G/487 ABs -- three smokin' months were followed by August cooldown, but he still was good this season, surprised KC didn't make room for him in the OF
IF Johnny Giavotella .871 -- .338/.390/.481, 67 RS, 34 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 72 RBI, 40 BB/57 K, 9/14 SB, 11 E in 110 G/453 ABs -- KC AAA player of the year had a great campaign, hope we don't see him back in AAA either
OF David Lough .850 -- .318/.367/.482, 87 RS, 26 2B, 11 3B, 9 HR, 65 RBI, 36 BB/49 K, 14/22 SB, 4 E in 114 G/456 ABs -- only down month was June
Others...Salvador Perez .847 (only got 12 games in before KC called)...3B Mike Moustakas .845 (15 2B, 10 HR, 19 BB/44 K in 55 G/223 ABs, wasn't spectacular but good enough to get an MLB look)...1B Kila Ka'aihue .812 (.379 OBP, 19 2B, 11 HR, 57 BB/81 K in 95 G, ship may have sailed for Kila)...IF Irving Falu .747 (.301/.358/.390, 50 RS, 10 2B, 9 3B, 35 BB/47 K, 21/32 SB, 12 E in 111 G/385 ABs, keeps hanging around, puts up solid numbers)...C Manny Pina .735 (passed by Salvador)...OF Jarrod Dyson .713 (overshadowed by Lorenzo)...IF Yamaico Navarro .708 (unremarkable 25 games for Chasers)

WHIP rundown
Everett Teaford 0.97 -- 3-2, 3.34, 5 HRA, 11 BB/33 K in 35 IP -- rode Omaha-KC express
Brandon Sisk 1.00 -- 4-2, 1.41, 2 SV, HRA, 16 BB/30 K in 32 IP -- did well in PCL
Willy Lebron 1.04 -- 1-1, 0.55, 1 SV, HRA, 5 BB/22 K in only 16 1/3 IP
Danny Duffy 1.12 -- 3-1, 3.43, 5 HRA, 10 BB/48 K in 42 IP, one of the few pitching prospects in organization to hold own in 2011
Kelvin Herrera 1.12 -- 1-0, 2.12, 6 SV, HRA, 7 BB/18 K in 17 IP -- rise continued to AAA for Absolute Zero
Others...Robinson Tejeda 1.22 (15 BB/43 K in 45 IP, didn't get much play at MLB in 2011)...Luis Mendoza 1.25 (12-5, 2.18, 1 CG, 1 ShO, 2 SV, 5 HRA, 54 BB/81 K in 144 1/3 IP, PCL Pitcher of the Year did a little of everything in 2011, had good April, rough May, then was lockdown thereafter)...Sean O'Sullivan 1.35 (8-2, 4.22, 6 HRA, 16 BB/55 K in 74 2/3 IP)...Jeff Suppan 1.43 (11-8, 4.78, 2 CG, 1 ShO, 23 HRA, 51 BB/94 K in 165 2/3 IP)...Mike Montgomery 1.50 (5-11, 5.32, 15 HRA, 69 BB/129 K in 28 G (27 starts) and 150 2/3 IP, something to build on, I feel a bounceback in 2012)...Vin Mazzaro 1.62 (60 BB/107 K in 123 2/3 IP)...Jeremy Jeffress 1.88 (didn't cut it in AAA)...Blaine Hardy 1.97 (ditto)

* Mendoza will pitch game 1 of the best-of-5 with the Round Rock Express on Wednesday.

AA - NW Arkansas: off day

OPS rundown
IF Mario Lisson .898 -- .293/.372/.527, 58 RS, 21 2B, 15 HR, 45 RBI, 31 BB/81 K, 15/17 SB, 17 E in 89 G/283 ABs -- hit .389 with 1.063 OPS in August to finish strong
C Ben Theriot .893 -- .303/.377/.516, 10 RS, 9 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 14 BB/28 K, 3 E in 46 G/122 ABs -- hit .457 with 1.125 OPS in August
OF Paulo Orlando .889 -- .305/.362/.527, 30 RS, 5 2B, 10 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 13 BB/35 K, 8/12 SB, 2 E in 45 G/167 ABs -- got the late season push down from Omaha and chipped in to playoff run
OF Tim Smith .873 -- .311/.365/.508, 38 RS, 13 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 49 RBI, 19 BB/37 K, 8/10 SB, 2 E in 69 G/238 ABs -- returned from injury in time to hit .412 in 6 August games
C Ryan Eigsti .804 -- .259/.338/.466, 6 2B, 2 HR, 6 BB/18 K in 23 G/58 ABs -- numbers came back to Earth as he hit for .536 OPS in 14 August games
Others...1B Jamie Romak .803 (led team with 23 HR, also rapped 21 2B, 55 BB/88 K, 6/7 SB in 123 G/439 ABs)...UT Anthony Seratelli .790 (.282/.392/.398, 12 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 64 RBI, 75 BB/92 K, 35/40 SB, 5 E in 129 G/440 ABs, Royals' AA player of the year reached peak in May/June but saw numbers tail off in July/August, best season since organizational debut in '07 in rookie ball)...C Salvador Perez .756 (.283/.329/.427, 14 2B, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 16 BB/30 K, 9 E in 79 G/286 ABs, meteoric rise late to KC)...OF Wil Myers .745 (.254/.353/.393, 50 RS, 23 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 49 RBI, 52 BB/87 K, 9/11 SB, 7 E in 99 G/354 ABs, bottomed out with .535 OPS in July but rebounded with .854 OPS in August, Royals probably expected more pop out of him, but he had an early knee injury that may have factored in)...OF Nick Van Stratten .678 (numbers better in AA than Carolina League)...IF Christian Colon .668 (.257/.325/.342, 69 RS, 14 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 46 BB/51 K, 17/24 SB, 18 E in 127 G/491 ABs, durability was good, also BB/K is nice, peaked in June and July, then hit for .605 OPS in August)...IF Rey Navarro .662 (.271/.332/.330, 9 XBH, 14 BB/26 K, 12 E in 55 G/188 ABs, Wilmington success didn't carry over to AA)...IF Jeff Bianchi .654 (.259/.320/.333, 23 2B, 39 BB/85 K, 20/25 SB, 11 E in 119 G/444 ABs, return from TJS didn't go that well but had its moments)...OF Derrick Robinson .604 (.251/.323/.282, 56 RS, 9 XBH, 46 BB/87 K, 55/70 SB, 6 E in 107 G/419 ABs, bringing up the rear on the OPS chart, hit for .419 OPS in August, season # was 121 points worse than his AA OPS in 2010)

WHIP rundown
Kelvin Herrera 0.78 -- 4-0, 1.75, 7 SV, 4 HRA, 6 BB/40 K in 36 IP -- march to Omaha continued with tear through Texas League
Brandon Sisk 1.05 -- 3-1, 3.77, 2 HRA, 7 BB/28 K in 28 2/3 IP -- moved to Omaha in June
Edgar Garcia 1.10 -- 2-3, 3.47, 5 SV, 6 HRA, 11 BB/31 K in 36 1/3 IP -- shored up staff in second half
Blaine Hardy 1.11 -- 2-1, 1.59, 8 SV, 2 HRA, 16 BB/41 K in 39 2/3 IP -- struggled at Omaha but pitched well in AA
Mario Santiago 1.13 -- 5-1, 2.23, 3 HRA, 17 BB/49 K in 64 2/3 IP -- also had struggles at AAA but shored up NWA staff
Others...Jake Odorizzi 1.28 (5-3, 4.72, 13 HRA, 22 BB/54 K in 12 starts/68 2/3 IP, yowza on the HR numbers, got rough intro to AA but also had his good starts)...John Lamb 1.31 (1-2, 3.09, 3 HRA, 13 BB/22 K in 35 IP, when will we see him back from TJS???)...Will Smith 1.34 (13-9, 3.85, 2 CG, 1 ShO, 13 HRA, 45 BB/108 K in 161 1/3 IP, Royals' AA pitcher of the year, finished with 1.91 ERA in August and .204 OAV in month)...Buddy Baumann 1.42 (4.29, 2 SV, 9 HRA, 28 BB/68 K in 71 1/3 IP, had his moments)...Patrick Keating 1.42 (7 SV, 12 BB/44 K in 38 IP, hit DL)...Chris Dwyer 1.43 (8-10, 5.60, 2 CG, 14 HRA, 78 BB/126 K in 141 1/3 IP, ERA numbers were never great but he had a couple good short stretches)...Brendan Lafferty 1.44 (7 BB/20 K in 25 IP)...Kevin Chapman 1.46...Jeremy Jeffress 1.71 (disappointing season from one of the cogs in the Greinke trade)

* Chris Dwyer gets the start in game 1 versus Arkansas Wednesday. Not the most obvious choice, but he has stepped up his game a couple times this season. Lisson and Tim Smith split TL player of the week honors in leading the last-week surge to get NWA into the playoffs. Jake Odorizzi was TL pitcher of the week with a big start versus Arkansas.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: done at 66-72 overall

OPS rundown
OF Nick Francis .918 -- .319/.363/.555, 30 RS, 20 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 13 BB/40 K, 7/8 SB, 4 E in 51 G/191 ABs -- bounced up to AA, back down, then back up
IF Rey Navarro .820 -- .285/.337/.484, 34 RS, 17 2B, 7 3B, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 18 BB/39 K, 5/9 SB, 10 E in 72 G/277 ABs -- earned player of the year honor before promotion to AA
OF Carlo Testa .804 -- .290/.361/.443, 48 RS, 27 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 43 RBI, 36 BB/109 K, 18/25 SB, 2 E in 100 G/366 ABs -- Pipeline favorite didn't follow up strong '09/'10 numbers, but did hit .378 with 1.055 OPS in August
1B John Whittleman .799 -- .234/.349/.451, 52 RS, 24 2B, 3 3B, 20 HR, 68 RBI, 76 BB/108 K, 2/2 SB, 27 E in 126 G/415 ABs -- probably was playing lower than he could, is getting playoff look in Omaha
OF Yem Prades .726 -- .289/.313/.413, 36 RS, 16 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 10 BB/66 K, 11/18 SB, 2 E in 80 G/305 ABs -- Cuban held his own in U.S. debut, nothing spectacular but had his moments
Others...Whit Merrifield .706 (3 months of over .700 OPS, two months of OPS in the .500s, including August, led team in SB with 24 and 2B with 30, 52 BB/89 K, also held up for 126 GP)...OF Nick Van Stratten .676 (got midseason demotion from AA and didn't do much at Wilmington either, unfortunately)...Ryan Stovall .608 (got promotion from Kane County and posted ugly 5 BB/53 K in 58 games)...Tim Ferguson .597...Julio Rodriguez .576 (didn't do much in 22 games after coming over in Betemit trade)

WHIP rundown
Kelvin Herrera 0.68 -- 2-1, 0.61, 1 SV, HRA, 2 BB/12 K in 14 2/3 IP -- first stop in march to AAA
Allen Caldwell 0.79 -- 2-0, 1.50, 1 SV, 2 HRA, 4 BB/23 K in 9 G (2 starts) and 24 IP -- pitched even better in Wilmington than he did in Kane County
Kendal Volz 1.06 -- 3-3, 3.03, 3 SV, 6 HRA, 13 BB/63 K in 37 G and 62 1/3 IP -- this is combined with Salem stats, did well enough to earn call to Tex League late
Noel Arguelles 1.13 -- 4-5, 3.20, 6 HRA, 24 BB/64 K in 21 starts and 104 IP -- K rate not great but was solid in U.S. debut
Jake Odorizzi 1.15 -- 5-4, 2.87, 4 HRA, 22 BB/103 K in 15 starts and 78 1/3 IP -- doesn't reflect how dominant he was at times before call to AA
Others...Elisaul Pimentel 1.20 (1 CG, 1 SV, 10 HRA, 31 BB/105 K in 133 IP, did well before late season promo to AA)...Mike Mariot 1.20 (5 SV, 7 HRA, 21 BB/80 K in 100 1/3 IP, had lockdown times and shaky times in 2011)...Justin Marks 1.33 (8-8, 3.98, 2 CG, 14 HRA, 49 BB/140 K in 144 2/3 IP, fruit of DeJesus trade was serviceable, named Carolina League pitcher of the week in last week after 13 scoreless IP)...Tim Melville 1.51 (11-10, 4.32, 7 HRA, 53 BB/108 K in 135 1/3 IP, strong June and July followed by mediocre August, won team community service award)...Tyler Sample 1.57 (58 BB/86 K in 130 1/3 IP)

A - Kane County: off day

OPS rundown
OF Brian Fletcher .946 -- .328/.386/.560, 51 RS, 31 2B, 3 3B, 14 HR, 60 RBI, 24 BB/80 K, 4/8 SB, 7 E in 91 G/341 ABs -- only thing ungood is the BB/K, good first full season of pro ball, had great months other than May
IF Ryan Stovall .902 -- .307/.356/.546, 27 RS, 15 2B, 5 3B, 8 HR, 31 RBI, 15 BB/45 K, 5/8 SB, 9 E in 57 G/205 ABs -- good enough to move up to Wilmington and finish there
skipping Gerard Hall, who was at .759 and moved up to Wilmington before getting released
OF Brett Eibner .748 -- .213/.340/.408, 46 RS, 13 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 48 BB/90 K, 2/5 SB, 1 E in 76 G/272 ABs -- .780 OPS in August, never really looked great but had early injury, had flashes of goodness tho
3B Cheslor Cuthbert .742 -- .267/.345/.397, 33 RS, 13 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 51 RBI, 36 BB/65 K, 2/2 SB, 13 E in 81 G/300 ABs -- hit the proverbial wall in August, .127 BA with .473 OPS, damper end to a good season
OF Jovan Pickett .668 -- .267/.364/.305, 16 RS, 2 3B, 5 RBI, 10 BB/22 K, 9/13 SB, 2 E in 35 G/105 ABs -- got on base, at least
Others....IF Angel Franco .664 (led team in triples with 6)...OF Geulin Beltre .657 (led team with 18 SB and 122 games played)...1B Jake Kuebler .624 (.291 OBP)...C Kevin David .617

WHIP rundown
Greg Billo 1.02 -- 9-5, 1.93, 1 SV, 6 HRA, 25 BB/119 K in 27 G (18 starts) and 135 IP -- great season, faded a bit in August
Chase Boruff 1.07 -- 4-1, 2.30, 7 SV, HRA, 20 BB/63 K in 41 G and 66 2/3 IP -- solid season out of the pen
Nick Rogers 1.09 -- 1-1, 2.45, 9 SV, 4 HRA, 12 BB/27 K in 20 G and 29 1/3 IP -- late season callup held his own in MWL
Leonel Santiago 1.10 -- 7-7, 3.06, 6 HRA, 19 BB/92 K in 18 starts and 108 2/3 IP -- did all right before hitting DL in July
Jason Mitchell 1.10 -- 3-1, 2.11, 1 SV, HRA, 5 BB/27 K in 10 G (3 starts) and 38 1/3 IP -- late callup had good first full pro season
Allen Caldwell 1.10 -- 4-0, 2.39, 1 SV, 2 HRA, 9 BB/39 K in 11 G and 26 1/3 IP -- pitched so well you wonder why they ever played him in OF
Others....Jason Adam 1.14 (6-9, 9 HRA, 25 BB/76 K in 21 starts and 104 1/3 IP, good pro debut)...Sugar Ray Marimon 1.14 (66 IP before he hit DL)...Chas Byrne 1.20 (9 SV, 12 BB/53 K in 55 IP)...Antonio Cruz 1.25 (41 BB/97 K in 105 1/3 IP, pretty decent part of haul for Wilson Betemit)...Yordano Ventura 1.26 (4.27 ERA, 8 HRA, 24 BB/88 K in 84 1/3 IP, good K rate and K/BB)...Leondy Perez 1.28 (3.41, 7 HRA, 29 BB/108 K in 153 IP, came on strong late)...Crawford Simmons 1.84 (only got 10 1/3 IP in)

* Billo starts game 1 of the best-of-3 with Burlington Wednesday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Ogden 8, Chukars 3 (Mon.)

SS Antonio 2-4, RS -- .320
3B DelGuidice 1-4, RBI (10), K -- .368
DH Gallagher 1-4, RBI (2) -- .222
1B Espy 0-2, BB, HBP, K, RS -- .314

Peacock 3 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K, 2 HRA -- L, 5-5, 4.48 ERA
N. Johnson 4 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- 4.22 ERA
Fassold IP, 2 H, K -- 4.03 ERA

* Ogden battered Brian Peacock and the Chukars on Monday. Peacock served up a 2-run homer in the 1st, then got nicked for 3 runs in the 2nd. Another 2-run homer in the 3rd made it 7-0 Ogden. The Chukars loaded the bases with 0 out in the 4th and a wild pitch, Cameron Gallagher groundout and Nick DelGuidice single cut it to 7-3. Nathan Johnson gave up a run in the 4th. IF stranded the bases full in the 5th and the only hit they got thereafter was a single in the 9th. IF dropped to 15-20. The series ends tonight.

Royals on the Farm 9/5 -- Regular season finales for 4

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 7, Storm Chasers 2

3B Whittleman 2-4, K -- .500, Omaha debut
RF Mertins 2-3, RS -- .274
DH Robinson 1-4, RBI (100), K -- .326, nice that he hit the century mark
LF Lough 1-4, RBI (65), E (4) -- .318
CF Cain 0-3, HBP, E (8) -- .312
1B Ka'aihue 0-4, 2 K -- .272

Pucetas 4 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, K, HRA -- 4.98 ERA
Lebron IP, 4 UER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- L, 1-1, 0.55 ERA
Miner IP, H -- 1.59 ERA
Tejeda IP, ER, 2 H, K -- 3.80 ERA
Sisk IP, K -- 1.41 ERA

* Iowa scored 5 unanswered runs to get the regular season finale Monday. Kevin Pucetas gave up a solo homer in the 1st and Iowa added a run in the 2nd to make it 2-0 Chasers. David Lough hit an RBI single and Clint Robinson singled in a run for his 100th RBI to tie the game in the 3rd. Iowa stranded 2 in the 3rd and Willy Lebron allowed 4 runs in the 5th, 3 on an error by Lorenzo Cain, to make it 6-2 Iowa. The Cubs added another run in the 7th. Only John Whittleman had a hit for Omaha after the 4th. The Chasers finished the season 79-63. I called 85-59. Close but no cigar. Stat recap tomorrow. The best-of-5 playoff set with the Round Rock Express (87-57, AAA Rangers) starts Wednesday in Round Rock. Luis Mendoza starts game 1.

AA - NW Arkansas: Tulsa 4, Naturals 2

LF Smith 2-4, RBI (49) -- .311
1B Romak 0-3, SF, RBI (71) -- .251
SS Colon 1-4, RS, E (18) -- .257
RF Myers 0-3, K -- .254

E. Pimentel 2 2/3 IP, H, BB, 3 K -- 6.35 ERA, pulled early for possible playoff appearance
Baumann 1 1/3 IP, ER, H, 2 K, HRA -- L, 4-3, 4.29 ERA
Jeffress 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K, HRA, WP -- 4.26 ERA
Hardy IP, 2 R (1 ER), 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 1.59 ERA

* The Naturals were being no-hit until late when they spoiled the whitewash. Tulsa got a solo homer off Buddy Baumann in the 4th then got another homer in the 7th off Jeremy Jeffress. Tim Smith broke up a no-hitter with a 2-out single in the 7th but Tulsa added 2 runs in the 8th to make it 4-0. Smith singled in a run and Jamie Romak hit a sac fly in the 9th to cut the lead in half, but they could get no closer. NWA finished the regular season 38-32 in the second half and 73-64 overall. Stat recap tomorrow. I called 84-56 overall, so I was off. The best-of-5 series starts Wednesday with the first of 2 at the Arkansas Travelers (AA Angels). Jake Odorizzi will start game 1.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Blue Rocks 3, Frederick 0 (4-hitter)

2B Merrifield 2-4, RBI (36) -- .262
DH Lewis 1-4, HR (7), 2 RBI (25), K, RS -- .204
LF Testa 0-4, 2 K -- .290
3B Morales 0-2, 2 BB, K, RS -- .300

Marks 7 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K -- W, 8-8, 3.98 ERA
Keck 2 IP, H, 4 K, WP -- SV, 4, 5.56 ERA

* Justin Marks put together a gem with some backup from Jon Keck and the Rocks finished the season with a W. Joey Lewis cranked a 2-run homer in the 2nd for his 7th of the season and Whit Merrifield added an RBI single to give Marks a 3-0 lead. The Rocks kept the pressure on but could plate no more runners. The Keys got runners at the corners with 0 out in the 7th, but a strike-him-out, throw-him-out DP and swinging K got Marks out of the jam. Keck pitched the final 2 innings for his 4th save. Wilmington finished the season 30-39 in the second half and 66-72 overall. Stat recap tomorrow. For the record, I predicted 74-64 this season, so I was off a bit.

A - Kane County: Clinton 9, Cougars 3

LF Fletcher 2-3, BB, HR (14), 2 RBI (60), 2 RS -- .328
SS Calixte 0-3, SF, RBI (31), K -- .208
CF Eibner 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .213
3B Cuthbert 0-4 -- .267

Mitchell 4 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, K, HRA -- L, 3-1, 2.11 ERA
Rivers 2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, BB, K -- 4.56 ERA
Boruff IP, K -- 2.29 ERA
Graham IP, ER, H, 3 BB -- 10.80 ERA
Giovenco IP, K -- 6.93 ERA

* The Cougars were behind the 8-ball early and couldn't recover in Monday's regular season finale. Jason Mitchell teed up a 2-run homer before he recorded an out in the 1st, and the LumberKings got another run in the 2nd to make it 3-0. Orlando Calixte hit a sac fly in the 2nd. Clinton tacked on 2 more runs off Mitchell in the 4th. Manager Vance Wilson was ejected between the 5th and 6th innings, and Alex Rivers gave up 3 runs in the 6th to make it 8-1. Brian Fletcher went deep for a 2-run shot in the 6th for his 14th of the season but the 'Kings would add another run in the 8th and hold it from there. KC finished the regular season 37-33 and 65-74 overall. Stat recap tomorrow. The playoffs start Wednesday at home with the first game of a best-of-3 with Burlington (31-37, 76-62 overall, A A's). Greg Billo will start. I did better with this prediction...I called 65-71 for the Cougars before the season.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: report tomorrow on Monday's game

Royals on the Farm 9/4

AAA - Omaha: Iowa 2, Storm Chasers 1

SS Falu 2-4 -- .301
CF Dyson 1-5, 2B (10), RBI (26), 2 K -- .279
RF Cain 1-3, BB, picked off -- .314
LF Lough 1-3, BB, picked off -- .319
DH Robinson 1-4 -- .327
1B Ka'aihue 0-3, BB, K -- .276

Mazzaro 2 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, K -- 4.29 ERA, appeared to have pitch count of 45
Montgomery 4 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 6 K -- L, 5-11, 5.32 ERA
Herrera 2 IP, BB -- 2.12 ERA

* Omaha outhit the Cubs Sunday but didn't outscore them. Iowa nicked Vin Mazzaro for a run in the 1st but Omaha got an RBI double from Jarrod Dyson in the 3rd. Manny Pina was thrown out at home on the play. A pickoff of Lorenzo Cain at second factored in big in the 4th as Omaha stranded the bases full. The Chasers loaded the bases again in the 5th but again came up empty. Iowa took the lead off Mike Montgomery in the 6th and Omaha got the first 2 on in the 9th but couldn't plate the tying run. Omaha is 79-62. The regular season ends Monday. Kevin Pucetas will make the spot start.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 6, Tulsa 4

LF Smith 2-4, BB, 2B (13), 2 RBI (48), K -- .308
SS Bianchi 1-5, RBI (48) -- .259
2B R. Navarro 1-2, BB, HBP, RBI (18), RS, E (12) -- .270
C Eigsti 0-3, SF, RBI (10), K, RS -- .259
CF Robinson 1-4, BB, K, 2 RS -- .251
DH Colon 1-5, K -- .257
RF Myers 0-3, HBP, RS, SB (9) -- .256

E. Garcia 5 IP, ER, 4 H, 3 K -- W, 2-3, 3.47 ERA
Chapman IP, ER, 2 H, HRA -- 4.99 ERA
Volz 3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, BB, 4 K, WP -- SV, 1, 6.75 ERA

* NW Arkansas took command in the 3rd and didn't give it up. Jeff Bianchi hit an RBI single and Tim Smith doubled in 2 runs in the 3rd as NWA grabbed the lead. A Smith single scored another run in the 5th to make it 4-0 in support of Edgar Garcia. Garcia allowed a run in the 5th and Kevin Chapman and Kendal Volz allowed 2 runs in the 7th to cut it to 4-3. Rey Navarro hit an RBI single and Ryan Eigsti hit a sac fly in the 8th to give the Nats some insurance. The Drillers got a run in the 8th but Volz finished it for his 1st NWA save. NWA is 38-31. The regular season wraps up Monday. Elisaul Pimentel will start.

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

CF Testa 3-4, 2 2B (27), RBI (43), 2 CS (7) -- .293, has finished very strong
LF Ferguson 2-3, S, HR (6), RBI (43), RS -- .222
1B Lewis 2-4, 2B (13), RBI (23) -- .203
DH Batista 1-3, RBI (23) -- .219
3B Stovall 2-4, RS -- .245
SS Morales 1-4, 2B, K, RS -- .375

Melville 7 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 11-10, 4.32 ERA, finishes 2011 a winner
Caldwell 2 IP, H, BB, K -- SV, 1, 1.50 ERA

* Tim Melville held the Keys down Sunday as the Rocks got the win. Carlo Testa hit an RBI double in the 3rd and Joey Lewis and Deivy Batista hit RBI singles in the 4th. Melville finally allowed a run in the 5th but got out of a jam in the 6th. Tim Ferguson hit his 6th homer in the 8th and Allen Caldwell pitched the last 2 innings. Wilmington is 29-39. The season ends with a Monday matinee. Justin Marks will start.

A - Kane County: Clinton 6, Cougars 1 (Sat.)

C David 2-3, BB, RBI (11), PB (4) -- .247
CF Eibner 2-4, 2 K, RS -- .218
LF Fletcher 0-4, 2 K -- .326

Adam 4 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, K -- L, 6-9, 4.23 ERA
Garrido 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- 6.34 ERA
Carl 2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, BB, 5 K, WP -- 12.00 ERA, finding the going a little tougher in A-ball

* A weather delay caused a late start and then things didn't roll the Cougars' way Saturday. Jason Adam gave up single runs in the 1st and 2nd. Yowill Espinal was caught stealing home on a would-be double steal to end the 3rd, and the Cougars got their run on a Kevin David RBI single in the 4th. Santiago Garrido let a run in in the 6th and Edwin Carl allowed 3 late runs as Clinton pulled away. With the win, the LumberKings clinched the top divisional playoff spot over the Cougars. This means KC will play....the Burlington Bees (A A's) in the first round of the MWL Playoffs.

Cougars 3, Clinton 1

RF Beltre 3-5, RS, SB (18) -- .265
C Graterol 2-4, RBI (6) -- .203
DH Pickett 2-4, K, SB (9) -- .267
3B Cuthbert 1-4, BB, 2B (13), 2 RBI (51), RS -- .270
CF Eibner 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K -- .216
LF Fletcher 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .325
KC stranded 14.

L. Perez 5 IP, 5 H, 4 K -- W, 8-13, 3.41 ERA
A. Cruz 3 IP, ER, H, BB, 6 K, HRA -- 2.73 ERA
Rogers IP, BB, 3 K -- SV, 9, 2.45 ERA

* Leondy Perez was back on his game to pick up his 8th win for the Cougars Sunday. Kane County loaded the bases with 0 out in the 1st, but came up empty. The Cougars broke through in the 3rd as Cheslor Cuthbert hit a 2-run double. Perez worked around two triples to hand a shutout to the bullpen in the 6th. Juan Graterol singled in a run in the 7th and Antonio Cruz lost the shutout with a solo homer in the 8th. That was all the 'Kings would get, tho. KC is 37-32. The regular season finale is Monday. Jason Mitchell will start.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 6, Ogden 2

3B Mateo 4-5, 2B (9), RBI (35), RS -- .340
2B Piterson 3-5, K, RS -- .305
1B Moreno 2-5, 2B (17), 2 RBI (38), K -- .276
CF Chism 2-5, HR (8), RBI (36), K, 2 RS -- .269
RF Elder 2-4, HR (8), RBI (26), RS -- .299
C Escobar 2-4, K, PB (13) -- .298
SS Antonio 0-5, 3 K -- .286
DH Gallagher 1-3, BB -- .214

A. Brooks 6 IP, ER, 3 H, 8 K, HRA -- W, 6-1, 3.36 ERA, nice
Dooley 3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- SV, 1, 7.26 ERA

* Aaron Brooks continued his strong pro debut and the Chukars offense picked him up in the 6th on Saturday. Brooks gave up a solo homer in the 2nd. The Chukar offense showed signs of life in the 5th but 3 hits failed to score a run as runners were thrown out at home and third in the inning. Chris Elder led off the 6th with his 8th homer, a wild pitch scored a run, Daniel Mateo hit an RBI single and Henry Moreno doubled in 2 runs as the Chukars took a 5-1 lead. Tyler Chism led off the 7th with his 8th homer. Brooks worked around a triple in the 6th and Jon Dooley stranded the bases full in the 7th. Dooley allowed a run in the 9th but got the game finished.

Ogden 4, Chukars 2

1B Espy 3-4, RS -- .317
CF Chism 2-4 -- .273
2B Mateo 2-4 -- .343
RF Davis 1-4, HR (7), RBI (38), 3 K, RS, assists at second and first -- .320
DH Moreno 1-4, 2B (18), RBI (39), K -- .276

Diaz 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K, HRA, WP -- L, 0-3, 10.06 ERA
Penny 2 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA -- 8.54 ERA
Patton IP, 2 H -- 3.58 ERA

* Ogden defeated the Chukars and Eric Diaz on Sunday. The Raptors scored single runs in the first 3 innings and the Chukars got a solo shot from Runey Davis in the 2nd for his 7th of the season. Henry Moreno doubled in a run in the 6th to cut it to 3-2, but Robert Penny gave up a solo homer in the inning. IF stranded 2 in the 8th and that was the Chukars' last best shot. IF is 15-19. Four games remain on the schedule.

Royals on the Farm 9/3 -- NWA clinches

AAA - Omaha: rainout

* The game won't be made up. Game 3 is Sunday as Vin Mazzaro starts.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 9, Tulsa 2

C Theriot 3-5, 2B (9), HR (5), 3 RBI (22), 2 RS -- .311
3B Lisson 3-5, 2B (21), HR (15), RBI (45), K, 2 RS -- .293
1B Romak 2-4, RBI (70) -- .255
2B-1B Seratelli 2-5 -- .282
LF Robinson 2-4, BB, K, RS, 2 SB (55) -- .251
SS Colon 1-4, S, RBI (61), RS, E (17) -- .257
DH Smith 1-4, BB, HR (10), RBI (46), RS -- .304
RF Myers 1-4, BB, HR (8), RBI (49), 2 RS -- .259
NWA stranded 10.

M. Santiago 6 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K, WP -- W, 5-1, 2.23 ERA
Lafferty 3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- SV, 2, 4.32 ERA

* The Naturals put up triple 3s late to rout the Drillers and clinch a playoff spot. Tulsa scored a run in the 3rd off Mario Santiago and the Drillers held a 1-0 lead into the 7th. Mario Lisson tied it with one swing of the bat to lead off the 7th with his 15th homer. A run-scoring error and Jamie Romak RBI single made it 3-1 Naturals. Brendan Lafferty gave up a run in the 7th, and Wil Myers and Ben Theriot homered in the 8th for their 8th and 5th homers of the season. Derrick Robinson swiped two bases in the inning and scored on a throwing error on the second SB to make it 6-2 Nats. Tim Smith led off the 9th with his 10th homer and Theriot doubled in 2 runs to put the game on ice. Lafferty finished it for his 2nd save. NWA is 37-31. Game 2 is Sunday. Will Smith will start.

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

SS Batista 3-4, 3B (2), RBI (22), RS, E (16) -- .217
C Jones 2-4, 2B (2), K, RS -- .231
3B Morales 2-4, picked off -- .500, Wilmington debut
2B Merrifield 1-2, BB, S, HR (5), RBI (35), RS -- .260
RF Van Stratten 0-4, RBI (27), K -- .275
LF Testa 1-2, 2 BB, SB (18), assist at third -- .288

Sample 6 IP, UER, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- 5.25 ERA
C. White 2 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, K -- BS, 1, W, 1-0, 1.69 ERA
Paukovits IP, BB, K -- SV, 7, 3.46 ERA

* The Rocks limited the Keys to 4 hits in the win Saturday. Whit Merrifield led off the Rocks 1st with his 5th homer. Tyler Sample worked around 2 walks in the 4th but gave up a run in the 5th to tie it. Deivy Batista hit an RBI triple in the 5th but Cole White gave up the lead in the 7th. Nick Van Stratten hit an RBI fielder's choice in the 7th and White and Bryan Paukovits made it stick. Wilmington is 28-39. Tim Melville starts Sunday's matinee game 2.

A - Kane County: Rain delays pushed this one back and it's 3-1 Clinton late. I'll recap it tomorrow.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Orem 7, Chukars 5 (Fri.)

CF Chism 3-4, BB, RBI (35), RS -- .266
2B Piterson 2-4, BB, RS -- .295
SS Antonio 1-5, 3B, RBI (4), RS -- .375
1B Espy 1-5, 2B (16), RBI (37), K -- .309
DH Moreno 1-4, HR (10), RBI (36), K, RS -- .274
RF Davis 0-4, 3 K -- .322

Moen 5 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 6 H, BB, 3 K, 2 WP -- L, 2-6, 6.55 ERA
J. Sanchez 3 IP, ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- 8.65 ERA
Avinazar IP, H, 3 K, WP -- 8.54 ERA

* Idaho Falls made a last ditch comeback effort but didn't get enough Friday. Mike Antonio hit an RBI triple and scored on a Richard Espy double to make it 2-0 Chukars in the 1st. Orem scored a run in the 3rd, then added 4 in the 4th off Kellen Moen. The Owlz added another run in the 5th and got a steal of home in the 6th to make it 7-2. Henry Moreno slammed his 10th homer of the season in the 8th and Tyler Chism singled in a run and scored on a wild pitch to cut it to 7-5. The rally stopped there tho. IF is 14-18. A 4-game set at the Ogden Raptors (15-17, Rookie Dodgers) starts tonight.

Royals on the Farm 9/2

AAA - Omaha: Storm Chasers 15, Iowa 5

2B Y. Navarro 3-4, 2 BB, HR (2), 2 RBI (9), 3 RS, 2 SB (3) -- .272
RF Falu 3-6, HR (2), RBI (47), 2 RS, CS (11) -- .299
LF Lough 3-6, 3B (11), RBI (64), 3 RS -- .318
1B Arias 3-4, 2 BB, RBI (25), 3 RS, SB (7) -- .234
DH Pina 2-5, BB, 2B (13), 4 RBI (25), K, RS -- .238
C Clark 1-3, 2 BB, 2B (12), 2 RBI (13), RS -- .232
3B Mertins 1-5, RBI (4), K -- .250
CF Dyson 0-5, BB, RBI (25), RS -- .280

O'Sullivan 3 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, BB, 3 K, WP -- 4.22 ERA
Lebron 2 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 0.59 ERA
Tejeda IP, H, BB -- 3.68 ERA
Castaneda 2 IP, 2 K -- 0.00 ERA

* The Chasers made a close game a laugher in the 7th. Irving Falu cranked his 2nd homer of the season in the 1st, and Omaha added 3 in the 3rd on a David Lough triple (on which he scored on an error), and a 2-run Manny Pina double. Iowa got 3 in the 3rd to cut it to 4-3. The Cubs added 2 in the 4th to take a 5-4 lead, but Yamaico Navarro hit a 2-run homer in the 5th for his 2nd of the season. Omaha loaded the bases with 1 out in the 7th and a 2-run error was followed by a 2-run Cody Clark double, a Kurt Mertins RBI single, a Jarrod Dyson RBI forceout, and RBI singles from Lough, Joaquin Arias and Pina. Omaha is 79-61. Game 2 is Saturday. Vin Mazzaro will start.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Arkansas 2

1B Seratelli 2-3, BB, RBI (64), 2 RS, SB (35) -- .281
RF Myers 1-2, BB, S, 2B (23), 2 RBI (48), RS -- .259
LF Robinson 1-4, RBI (25), K, CS (15) -- .248
C Theriot 0-1, HBP, SF, RBI (19), K -- .298
SS Colon 1-4, 2B (14), RS -- .257
DH Smith 1-3, BB, RS -- .305
CF Paulo Orlando had an assist at third.

Odorizzi 7 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 5-3, 4.72 ERA, clutch start
Baumann IP, ER, H, K, HRA -- 4.24 ERA
Hardy IP, UER, H, BB, 3 K -- 1.40 ERA

* Jake Odorizzi flirted with a no-hitter on Friday as the Naturals got another good win to head into the final showdown of the season. Odorizzi took his no-no into the 7th. Meanwhile the Naturals got 2 runs in the 5th on a Ben Theriot sac fly and Derrick Robinson RBI single. Odorizzi allowed a single in the 7th and Buddy Baumann lost the shutout with a solo homer in the 8th. NWA responded with 3 in the 8th on an Anthony Seratelli RBI single and Wil Myers 2-run double. Blaine Hardy allowed a run before shutting the door in the 9th. NW Arkansas is 36-31 and 2 games up on Tulsa going into the final 3-game set of the season, at the Drillers (34-33, AA Rockies).

A-Adv. - Wilmington: off day

* The Rocks' season ends with a 3-game home set with the Frederick Keys (39-28, A-Adv. O's) that starts Saturday. Tyler Sample will start. IF Adrian Morales got called up for the last series.

A - Kane County: Cougars 9, Cedar Rapids 1

RF Beltre 4-5, HBP, 2B (17), 3 RBI (42), RS, assist at third -- .261
SS Espinal 3-4, BB, 4 RBI (24) -- .204
C Graterol 2-4, BB, RBI (5), K, RS -- .193
LF Fletcher 1-5, HBP, RBI (58), K, RS, assist at second -- .330
CF Eibner 1-6 -- .214
3B Cuthbert 1-5, BB, K, RS -- .271
KC stranded 15.

Ventura 5 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K, HRA -- W, 4-6, 4.27 ERA
Rivers 2 IP, H, K -- 3.74 ERA
Boruff 2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K -- 2.33 ERA

* The Cougars posted an upside-down 6 in the 6th to rout the Kernels. Yordano Ventura gave up a leadoff homer in the 1st but the Cougars would whitewash the Kernels the rest of the way. The Cougars made a habit of stranding runners early, but finally broke through in the 6th. Yowill Espinal got it started with a 2-run single, Geulin Beltre hit a bases-clearing 3-run double, Brian Fletcher hit an RBI single, Juan Graterol singled in a run, and Espinal hit ANOTHER 2-run single to make it 9-1. The bullpen nailed it down from there. KC is 36-31. The final series of the season takes place in Kane County as the Cougars play the Clinton LumberKings (37-29, A Mariners). Jason Adam will start game 1. The Cougars are 1 1/2 games back of Clinton for the top playoff spot in the division.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 7, Orem 4 (Thu.)

SS Antonio 2-3, BB, HR, 3 RBI, RS, SB -- .455
2B Piterson 2-4, 3B (2), 2 RBI (14), RS -- .290
LF Fradejas 2-4, 2 RS -- .303
RF Elder 0-3, S, RBI (25), 2 K, RS -- .293
3B DelGuidice 1-4, K, RS -- .377
1B Espy 1-3, 2 K, picked off -- .312
CF Davis 1-4, 2B (17), RS -- .329
DH Gallagher 0-4, K -- .182

B. Martin 5 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K, E (2) -- W, 4-6, 4.20 ERA
N. Johnson 3 IP, ER, H, BB, K -- 4.50 ERA
Fassold IP, BB, K -- SV, 4, 4.22 ERA

* The 4th was the key inning in the Chukar win Thursday. Brennon Martin gave up a 2-run single in the 3rd but Mike Antonio had the answer with his 1st Pioneer League homer, a 2-run shot, that tied it in the bottom of the frame. Orem scored a run in the 4th but the Chukars answered with 4 runs on a Chris Elder squeeze play, Luis Piterson RBI single, run-scoring passed ball and Antonio RBI single. Orem scored a run in the 6th but IF maintained as Piterson tripled home a run to keep the 3-run lead intact. Nathan Johnson and Cody Fassold brought it home from there. IF is 14-17. The series ends tonight.

Royals on the Farm 9/1

Gonna save any month-end updates for the teams until after the ends of the regular seasons.

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 9, Storm Chasers 4

LF Lough 2-4, K, RS -- .316
1B Arias 1-4, 2 RBI (24), 2 K, RS -- .225
C Pina 0-2, BB, SF, RBI (21) -- .234
RF Cain 0-4, RBI (81), 2 K -- .314

Suppan 3 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, K, 2 HRA -- L, 11-8, 4.78 ERA
Pucetas 4 IP, 4 H, 2 K -- 5.00 ERA
Herrera 2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, K, HRA -- 2.40 ERA

* In what would be a motif for the Royals minors on the night, the Chasers blew an early lead. They looked good early as Lorenzo Cain hit an RBI groundout, Joaquin Arias hit a 2-run single and Manny Pina added a sac fly. Round Rock answered quickly with 2 homers for 3 runs off Jeff Suppan in the 2nd, then 3 more runs in the 3rd. Kevin Pucetas held the line there, but Kelvin Herrera gave up a 2-run triple in the 8th and a solo homer in the 9th. The Chasers offense sputtered after the 1st. Omaha is 78-61. The first season of Werner Park ends with Friday's home finale. Sean O'Sullivan will start.

AA - NW Arkansas: Naturals 5, Arkansas 3

DH T. Smith 2-5, RBI (45), RS -- .305
RF Orlando 2-4, BB, RS, two assists at second -- .316
3B Lisson 2-4, BB, 2B (20), 2 RS -- .285
CF Robinson 1-3, S, SF, RBI (24), RS, SB (53), assist at second -- .248
2B R. Navarro 1-2, 2 BB, 2B (8), RBI (17) -- .268
C Eigsti 0-2, 2 BB, RBI (9), K -- .273
SS Colon 1-3, 2 BB, SB (17) -- .257
NWA stranded 14.

Dwyer 6 1/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- W, 8-10, 5.60 ERA
Chapman 2 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- 4.89 ERA
Volz 0 IP, 2 BB -- 7.36 ERA
Hardy 1/3 IP, nothing -- SV, 8, 1.43 ERA

* NWA stymied a late Travelers rally to get a key win Thursday. Tim Smith singled in a run and scored on an error in the 1st as NWA staked Chris Dwyer to a 2-0 lead. The Nats left the bases loaded in the 3rd but got a Rey Navarro RBI double in the 6th. Dwyer allowed a run before getting pulled in the 7th but the Nats scored 2 that inning on a Ryan Eigsti bases-loaded walk and Derrick Robinson sac fly. Kevin Chapman had 1 on and 2 out in the 9th when an RBI double was followed by two walks by Kendal Volz to load the bases. A Jamie Romak error at first scored another run, but Blaine Hardy got a groundout to end it. NWA is 35-31 and a game up on first. The series ends Friday. Jake Odorizzi will start. Will Smith was named Texas League Player of the Month for August. He went 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA over the month with 9 BB/37 K in 42 1/3 IP.

A-Adv. - Wilmington: Myrtle Beach 6, Blue Rocks 4

2B Merrifield 3-4, 2B (29), 2 RS, SB (24) -- .259
3B Stovall 1-4, 2B (16), 2 RBI (19), 2 K, E (10) -- .245
RF Testa 1-4, RBI (42), 2 K, RS -- .287

Mariot 7 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- 3.41 ERA
Odenbach 2 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, K -- L, 2-3, 3.50 ERA

* The Rocks blew a 4-0 lead Thursday. Carlo Testa got it started with an RBI single in the 3rd and Ryan Stovall hit a 2-run double to make it 3-0 Rocks. Whit Merrifield doubled and stole home on a double steal with Nick Van Stratten in the 5th. Mike Mariot dodged trouble in the 4th but found it in the 6th as the Pelicans scored 4 runs, with the big blow being a 3-run homer. Dusty Odenbach escaped a jam in the 8th but walked 3 and gave up 2 singles for 2 runs in the 9th. The last 10 Rocks in a row went down. Wilmington is 27-39. The Rocks have Friday off.

A - Kane County: Cedar Rapids 9, Cougars 6

CF Pickett 2-3, 2 BB, RBI (5), K, RS, 2 SB (8) -- .269
SS Calixte 2-4, SF, RBI (30), RS -- .212
1B Graterol 2-3, BB, K, RS -- .183
RF Beltre 1-4, SF, RBI (39), RS, SB (17) -- .255
C David 1-3, BB, HBP, RBI (10), K, PB (3) -- .238
2B Espinal 1-2, S, SF, RBI (20), RS -- .197
3B Cuthbert 1-4, BB, 2 K, RS -- .272
LF Fletcher 1-4, HBP, 2B (31), 2 K -- .332
KC stranded 11.

Billo 5 IP, ER, 2 H, K -- 1.93 ERA
Graham 0 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, WP -- 11.05 ERA
Giovenco 3 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, BB, 5 K, WP -- BS, 1, L, 0-2, 7.23 ERA

* The Cougars let a 6-1 lead slip away as Cedar Rapids broke out the bats late. Kevin David took a bases-loaded walk in the 1st and Orlando Calixte hit a sac fly to make it 2-0 Cougars. Jovan Pickett added an RBI single, an error scored a run and Geulin Beltre added a sac fly in the 2nd. Greg Billo allowed a run on 2 hits in the 2nd but Yowill Espinal hit a sac fly in the 3rd to make it 6-1. Billo retired the last 10 he faced, but when the ball was handed to Tyler Graham in the 6th, things went south. Four straight singles, a wild pitch and a double ended Graham's night without an out recorded, and Mike Giovenco gave up 2 more hits as the Kernels scored 6 runs in the inning. Cedar Rapids added 2 more runs in the 8th. The Cougars loaded the bases with 1 out in the 9th but didn't make anything happen. KC is 35-31. Yordano Ventura pitches the series finale Friday.

Rookie - Idaho Falls: Chukars 5, Orem 2 (Wed.)

1B Moreno 2-4, 3B (2), HR (9), 2 RBI (35), 2 K, 2 RS -- .274
DH Gallagher 2-3, BB, HR, RBI, RS -- .286, nice
3B Mateo 2-4, RS -- .329
C Escobar 1-3, S, 2 RBI (20) -- .301
SS Antonio 1-4, 2B (2), K, RS, E -- .375
RF Davis 1-2, BB, HBP, K -- .331
LF Elder 1-4, K, picked off -- .300

Peacock 6 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 7 K -- W, 5-4, 3.79 ERA
Penny 2 IP, ER, 3 H, K -- 8.72 ERA
Patton IP, H, K -- SV, 2, 3.68 ERA

* The Chukars rode a good start from Brian Peacock to the win Wednesday. Peacock allowed an Owlz run in the 2nd but retired the last 13 he faced from then on. Cameron Gallagher tied it with his first IF homer in the 5th, then Henry Moreno went deep in the 6th for his 9th of the season and Edul Escobar singled in a run to make it 4-1 Chukars. Robert Penny allowed a run in the 7th but Moreno tripled and was squeezed home by Escobar in the 8th. Spencer Patton finished it with a scoreless 9th. IF is 13-17. Game 3 is tonight.