Royals on the Farm weekend 5/19-5/21

AAA - Omaha: Sacramento 10, O-Royals 6 (Fri.)

RF Allen 3-5, 2B (10), K, 2 RBI (30), RS -- .312
2B Gotay 1-3, 2 BB, K, RS, SB (5) -- .235
3B Teahen 1-3, 2B, BB, K, 2 RBI, E (2) -- .257
LF D. Brown 1-4, RS -- .074

Tamayo 2 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K, HRA -- L, 3-2, 4.21 ERA
Loux 3 IP, 4 UER, 4 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 1.12 ERA
Andrade 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 1.88 ERA

*** RP Shane Loux, manager Mike Jirschele and hitting coach Terry Bradshaw (the other Terry Bradshaw) were all ejected in the loss. A solo homer off Tamayo gave Sacramento a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st but Omaha rallied for 4 in the 3rd on an RBI single by DH Alejandro Prieto, an RBI double by Allen and a 2-run double by Teahen. Unfortunately for the Royals, things imploded in the 3rd. With 2 outs and 1 River Cat run already across the plate, another run was singled home and, for reasons unreported on anything I've seen online, Jirschele got tossed by the first base ump. Three more hits and an error by CF Chip Ambres brought in 3 more runs and chased Tamayo in favor of Loux. Omaha got back within a run in the 5th on an RBI single by Allen but Sacramento put the game away with 4 in the 6th in another 2-out rally sparked in part by a Teahen throwing error. Loux was lifted for Andrade and, during the process, was tossed along with Bradshaw. Andrade walked a run home after the incident and then gave up a 2-run single before getting out of the inning. Omaha scored a meaningless run in the 9th on a sac fly by C Paul Phillips to make the final score 10-6 Sacto. Omaha dropped to 17-23 with the loss. River Cats DH Nathan Espy was 2-4 with his 2nd AAA homer to improve to .408, C John Baker was 1-4 to drop to .311 and 1B Daric Barton was 2-5 with 3 RBI to move to 22 on the season and improved his BA to .270.

O-Royals 2, Sacramento 1 (Sat.)

3B Teahen 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI -- .308, heating up, in Omaha anyway
RF Allen 2-4, RS -- .317
1B Huber 0-4, K -- .286, back with Costa up after two wasted weeks
2B Gotay 1-4, 2B -- .236
LF D. Brown 0-3 -- .067

Keppel 7 IP, ER, 5 H, BB, 3 K -- W, 3-4, 5.00 ERA
Baerlocher 2 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 4 K -- SV, 1, 2.51 ERA

*** Keppel had a great start and Omaha survived errors by Aviles (no. 10) and Keppel himself (2) to get the win. Sacramento drew first blood with a run in the 3rd but Omaha scored its runs in the 4th on a Teahen 2-run double and Keppel took it from there. He allowed 3 base runners from the 4th through the 7th and Baerlocher did the rest. Omaha moved to 18-23. Sacramento C Jeremy Brown was 0-4 to drop to .316, Espy was 0-4 to drop to .387 and Barton was 0-4 to drop to .262.

Sacramento 4, O-Royals 3 (Sun.)

RF Allen 2-4, 2B (11), K, 2 RBI (32), OF assist at second -- .321
3B Teahen 1-4, 2B -- .302
CF Ambres 2-4, RBI (10), K -- .210
2B Gotay 2-4, BB, 2 RS -- .242
1B Huber 0-4, 2 K -- .272
LF D. Brown 1-3, HBP, K -- .091

Yarnall 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, BB, 5 K, 3 HRA -- put on a fireworks display from the mound, L, 1-1, 3.69 ERA
Elder 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 4.91 ERA

*** Yarnall gave up all the damage Sacramento would need to take the 4-game set, 3-1, with the 4-3 win Sunday. An Allen RBI single in the 1st got Omaha off to a good start but Yarnall gave an omen of things to come with a longball given up to the second batter he faced. A leadoff homer by Jeremy Brown in the 2nd for the River Cats gave them the lead and Brown homered again in the 4th -- a 2-run shot -- for a 4-1 Sacramento lead. Allen doubled home a run in the 5th and Ambres singled home a run in the 6th to close the Sacramento lead to 1, but Omaha wouldn't threaten again. Omaha dropped to 18-24 and 6 1/2 games out of first. River Cats SP Shane "Hawaiian Punchout" Komine (I had to report the nickname) got the win despite giving up 10 hits and 3 ER and striking out only 2 over 5 1/3 IP. His ERA is 5.08. Brown was 2-4 for Sacramento and moved his season HR total to 6 with a .325 BA. Espy was 1-4 to drop to .380 and Baker was 0-2 to drop to .303.

Omaha moves on to Fresno to take on the Grizzlies (16-27, AAA Giants) for 4 games starting Monday. Pitchers: Omaha RH Kyle Snyder (0-2, 4.24) vs. RH Brian Cooper (2-3, 4.80).

AA - Wichita: Tulsa 3, Wranglers 2 (8/Fri. game 1)

3B Gordon 0-3, BB -- .308
RF Butler 2-4, 2B (12), RBI (23) -- .287
LF Lubanski 0-4, 2 K -- .265
C Tupman 0-1, 3 BB! -- .351, on-base machine
CF Maier 0-2, BB, K -- .282
SS Sanchez 3-3, BB, RS -- .284
2B Murphy 0-4, K -- .241
1B Kaaihue 2-3, BB -- .207

Song 5 1/3 IP, ER, 4 H, 3 BB, K -- wasn't the most beautiful start but had the win in hand, ND, 3.68 ERA
Nunez 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 4 K -- BS, 3, L, 1-2, 4.50 ERA

*** Nunez blew his 3rd save and Wichita dropped a game they could have won in the opener of a 7-inning twinbill with Tulsa Friday. The Drillers scraped together a run in the 3rd but Wichita took the lead with an RBI single by DH Adam Keim in the 4th and a 5th-inning RBI double by Butler. 2-1 Wranglers was the score entering the 7th and set-to-be-final inning when Tulsa SS Troy Tulowitzki came through with a clutch 2-out RBI single off Nunez to tie the game. A double and triple back-to-back in the 8th off Nunez gave Tulsa the lead and Wichita squandered two base runners in the bottom of the inning to end it. Wichita dropped to 17-24. Tulowitzki was 1-4 with his 17th RBI to drop to .292, Tulsa DH Joe Gaetti was 0-3 to drop to .316, 3B Ian Stewart was 1-4 to drop to .252 and CF Jordan Czarniecki was 0-1 with 2 BB to drop to .295.

Wranglers 3, Tulsa 2 (8/Fri. game 2, deja vu)

3B Gordon 1-4, 2B (13) -- .306
RF Butler 1-3, HR (6), 2 RBI (25), BB -- .287
LF Lubanski 0-4, K -- .259, ice cold
CF Maier 1-4, K, RBI (29) -- .281
SS Sanchez 2-3, BB, 2 RS -- .291
2B Murphy 2-3, K -- .261

Bass 8 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 8 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 2.25 ERA, looked much better in AA than he did in Omaha

*** The Wranglers turned the tables on Tulsa in game 2 with a late inning comeback of their own. Bass got a complete game in his '06 AA debut and Butler did the heavy work on offense. There was 1 hit in the game going into the 5th with Bass working on a perfecto when a double and 2-run homer made that vanish and gave the Drillers a 2-0 lead. After a Sanchez single off Tulsa SP Enmanuel Ulloa in the 6th, Butler hit a 2-out, 2-run longball for his 6th of '06 to tie the game. The game went into "extras" in the 8th when a Sanchez walk and Gordon double put runners at second and third with 1 out. Butler was intentionally walked to bring up Maier, who made the Drillers pay with a walkoff single/grand slam?. The slash and question mark are there because Maier rounded first and joined the celebration at the plate. He said he thought the ball bounced on the warning track and the outfielder tossed it over the fence in frustration while some said it cleared the fence. Anyway, Wichita won the game and Maier got credit for a single. The Wranglers were 18-24 after the twinbill. Ulloa went 7 IP and K'd 6 to move his ERA to 3.43 with the 2 ER. Gaetti was 0-3 to drop to .305, Stewart was 0-3 to drop to .247 and Czarniecki was 1-3 to move to .295.

Tulsa 7, Wranglers 6 (Sat.)

3B Gordon 3-4, 2 RS, SB (11) -- .317
RF Butler 0-3, BB, RBI (26) -- .282
LF Lubanski 1-5, 2 K, RS, E (4) -- .257
CF Maier 2-4, K, RS -- .287
C Tupman 1-4, 2 RBI (15) -- .343
2B Keim 3-4, HR (1), RBI (10) -- .221
SS Sanchez 1-4, K, RS, E (13) -- .290
DH Murphy 0-2 -- .256, left game with sore shoulder after Friday collision at home plate, day-to-day

Cedeno 4 2/3 IP, 7 R (6 ER), 8 H, 2 BB, K, 2 WP -- L, 0-4, 5.45 ERA
C. Smith and Braun 4 1/3 IP, 2 H combined

*** Tulsa's damage was done early and often in the series finale. A Lubanski fielding error helped the Drillers to a 1st-inning tally but Wichita scored 2 in the 1st on a single by Gordon and ensuing fielding error that allowed Lubanski to score, and an RBI DP ball by Maier for a 2-1 lead. Tulsa tied things in the 3rd and surged ahead with 2 in the 4th off Cedeno but Wichita retied it in the 4th with 2 runs on a Butler RBI ground out and Tupman RBI fielder's choice. Cedeno again couldn't hold on as Tulsa rallied for 3 in the 5th for a 7-4 lead. Keim went solo in the 5th for his 1st homer of '06 and Tupman singled home a run in the 8th to cut the lead to 1 but Wichita couldn't get the equalizer. Wichita dropped to 18-25 with the loss and is 8 games back of first. Tulowitzki was 3-5 with his 14th double and 18th RBI to move to .302, Stewart was 1-5 with his 5th triple to drop to .245, Gaetti was 2-5 to move to .310 and Czarniecki was 1-4 with his 21st RBI to drop to .294.

Sunday: off day

*** The Wranglers got a day off before starting a 3-game set at the Corpus Christi Hooks (26-16, AA Astros) Monday. With Bass getting sent down to Wichita, IF Walter Sevilla went back to High Desert.

High-A - High Desert: Lake Elsinore 10, Mavs 2 (Fri.)

LF Valentin 1-4, 2 K -- .310
DH Stodolka 0-4, K -- .319
1B R. Brown 2-3, HR (5), 2 RBI (19), BB -- .301
RF McFall 2-4, K -- .212
CF Senreiso 1-4, 2 K -- .261
C Donachie 0-3, BB, K -- .274
3B Lucas 0-4, K, E (6) -- .265

Cota 3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K, HRA -- L, 1-5, 7.83 ERA, bad season stays that way, I say move him to Burlington and let him join the stud rotation there until he gets his crap together
Weeden and Woodrow ugly 6 IP

*** Lake Elsinore came into Adelanto as the division leader and played that way in running the Mavs off the diamond in scoring in all but 3 innings. High Desert took a 2-1 lead on Brown's 2-run homer in the 1st but, unfortunately, that was it for the Mavs. Cota got shelled again and so did the two relievers put in against the Storm and High Desert only threatened in the 6th when the Mavs loaded the bases but couldn't make anything happen. High Desert was 21-20 after the loss. Storm SP Mike Ekstrom moved to 4-2 with a 2.32 ERA with 5 2/3 IP of 2 runs allowed with only 1 ER. Storm LF Javis Diaz was 3-6 to move to .321, 1B Tim Brown was 3-4 with 2 RBI to move to 20 on the season and improved to .286 and Pads' 3B prospect Chase Headley was 2-4 with 2 doubles to improve to .259.

Lake Elsinore 6, Mavs 2 (Sat.)

1B Stodolka 1-3, SF, RBI (19) -- .319
LF Valentin 1-1, RBI (19), SB (1) -- .316, injured leg
SS Falu 2-4, 2B, 2 RS, SB (9) -- .253
CF Senreiso 0-4, 2 K -- .250
3B Lucas 0-4, K -- .257

Christensen 6 2/3 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 7 H, BB, 5 K, 3 HRA -- L, 1-4, 4.80 ERA, like Yarnall, a launching pad on the mound

*** The Storm pulled away late to get in position for a possible sweep with the 6-2 win Saturday. After Lake Elsinore got a solo homer in the top of the 1st, Falu led off the High Desert 1st with a double and scored on a Valentin single. The Mavs were in business with 0 out when Valentin hurt his leg at third base and left the game and High Desert could do no further damage that inning. From the way it sounded on the team site, it was something like a hammy or quad injury. Another homer put the Storm back in front in the 2nd but a Stodolka sac fly knotted it back up in the 3rd. Lake Elsinore's third homer of the game off Christensen in the 4th gave the Storm the lead for good as they added 1 in the 7th and 2 in the 9th. The Mavs only had 2 base runners after the 3rd. High Desert dropped to 21-21 with the L. Headley was 4-4 with 2 HR (4 on the season) and 4 RS to improve to .280, Diaz was 0-5 to drop to .295 and 2B Sean Kazmar was 2-4 with his 3rd homer to improve to .262.

Lake Elsinore 6, High Desert 5 (Sun.)

Stodolka and Valentin DNP
2B Perez 3-4, SB (2) -- .289
1B R. Brown 2-5, 3B, RBI (20), 2 RS -- .298
CF Senreiso 2-5, HR (7), 2 RBI (17), 2 K, E (3) -- .258
C Donachie 2-3, BB, RBI -- .286
DH Lucas 1-4, K -- .257

Plummer 5 IP, 5 R (4 ER), 9 H, BB, 3 K, HRA -- ND, 5.93 ERA
Barnes 4 IP, ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 5 K -- L, 1-2, 3.81 ERA

*** Things looked rosy after a 3-run Mavs 1st but it was downhill from there as Lake Elsinore got the sweep. A Brown RBI single, wild pitch and RBI single by Donachie helped High Desert to the 3-0 advantage. Lake Elsinore immediately begin chipping away with 1 in the 2nd off Plummer and 2 more in the 3rd to tie the game. A leadoff triple by Rusty Brown in the 3rd was followed by an RBI single by Senreiso to help the Mavs back into the lead but a 2-run homer in the 5th after a key error by Senreiso in which he and LF Michael Galloway let the ball drop between them gave the lead back to the Storm. High Desert tied it once more in the bottom of the frame on a redemption homer by Senreiso (his 7th) but the Storm scraped together a run off Barnes in the 9th and High Desert went down in order in the bottom of the 9th to end it. The sweep dropped High Desert to 21-22 and 4 1/2 games out of first. Headley was 2-3 with his 19th RBI to improve to .288, Diaz was 2-4 to move to .308 and LF Drew Davidson was 2-5 with his 1st homer of '06 to improve to .246.

The Mavs open a 4-game home set with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (22-21, High-A Angels) Monday. According to the team site, LH John Gragg III, who had been at Wichita, is slated to start in his return to the California League. He was arguably the team's best starter in '05 in leading the team with 13 wins.

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 3, Lansing 2 (Fri.)

CF Duarte 2-4, SB (8) -- .252
DH Vega 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .260
SS McConnell 0-3, HBP, 2 K, RS -- .179
C Thibault 1-4, K, RS -- .230
LF Santana 0-4, 2 K -- .274

Kniginyzky 7 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 8 K, HRA -- W, 4-2, 3.04 ERA
Garcia and Hayes 2 hitless IP, Hayes 2nd save

*** Burlington got the sweep of the Lugnuts as 3 1st-inning runs was good enough for SP Matt Kniginyzky and the Bees got the gift of 5 Lansing errors. Two errors on a ground ball by Thibault for a potential force play in the 1st allowed the Bees' first run to score and a sac fly by 1B John Lowen and an RBI single by 3B Jeremy Jirschele put the Bees up, 3-0. Lansing scored runs off Kniginyzky in the 4th and 7th to cut the Bees' lead to 1 but RPs Eliszer Garcia and Chris Hayes locked it down and Burlington won its 6th straight. The win and 4-game sweep of Lansing (first time since '99 that happened) moved the Bees to 18-21. On a sour note, Thibault left the game in the 9th after getting spiked in the leg sliding into second and needed seven stitches to close the cut. He's expected to be out 2 weeks and C Brady Everett, who was supposed to play at High Desert but broke his hand late in ST, will start out in Burlington while Thibault is on the shelf. Lansing SP Billy Carnline took the hard luck loss with 6 IP of 3 unearned runs to drop to 3-2 with a 2.09 ERA. Lansing 2B Sean Shoffit was 0-4 to drop to .295, CF Cory Patton was 1-4 with his 14th double to drop to .282 and DH Joey Metropoulos was 1-4 to drop to .282.

Bees 4, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A Mariners) 1 (Sat.)

1B Vega 1-4, 2 K -- .259
RF Arroyo 1-1, RBI (12), RS -- .235
CF Duarte 0-3, BB, RBI, RS, CS -- .245
3B Lisson 0-2, 2 BB, K, RBI (23), HBP, 2 SB (10) -- .183
SS McConnell 0-3, BB, K, RBI (12), HBP, SB (5) -- .174

Henninger 6 IP, UER, 5 H, BB, 6 K -- ND, 4.63 ERA
Harkcom and Schambough 3 IP scoreless relief, Schambough (SV 3, 1.23 ERA)

*** A 4-game set at Wisconsin (17-24 entering the series) started well for the red-hot Bees as they won their 7th in a row after entering the 9th being shutout with 1 hit. A throwing error by C John Lowen trying to nail a stealing base runner at third led to the Rattlers' only run in the 1st and the Bees couldn't figure out either Wisconsin SP Jose Escalona or RP Joseph Woerman through 8 IP. A 6th-inning single by Lowen broke up the no-hitter but the Bees were still struggling to start the 9th when RP Edgar Guaramato took the mound for the Rattlers. Vega singled and advanced to second on a throwing error and, after a walk to Jirschele and HBP on DH Valentino Arce loaded the bases with 1 out, a fielder's choice by Duarte tied the game. The bases stayed loaded thanks to the throw for the force at home by 1B Chao Kuan Wu being late. Arroyo followed with an RBI single to give the Bees the lead before Arce was forced at home on the next play. The Bees padded the lead in an unusual way as McConnell and Lisson got hit with pitches with the bases loaded to bring home 2 runs and make the score 4-1 Bees. Kraig Schambough came in to pitch the 9th for Burlington and had no trouble. The Bees improved to 19-21. Escalona went 6 IP and allowed only 1 hit but walked 5 and K'd 8 in dropping his ERA to 2.95. 2B Jeff Dominguez was 3-4 for Wisconsin to move to .304 but also made his 13th error, SS Robert Hudson was 1-4 to drop to .294 and 3B Ron Garth was 1-4 to drop to .270.

Wisconsin 4, Bees 3 (11/Sun.)

DH Lisson 3-6, 2B (12) -- .198
C Lowen 2-4, 2 2B (6), K, 2 RBI (17), RS, E (4) -- .228
3B Jirschele 2-5, K -- .188
1B/C Everett 1-5, K, E (1) -- .200, season debut
2B Johnson 1-1, 5 BB!!!, 2 RS -- .228, great eye, I guess
SS McConnell 0-4 -- .168
1B Vega 0-2, K -- .255
LF Santana 1-5, K, SB (10) -- .269
* Bees left 13 on base

Rosa 4 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 7 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- ND, 2.40 ERA
de la Vara 2 IP, 0 ER, H, 5 K -- BS, 1, 2.37 ERA
Garcia 1/3 IP, ER, H, HRA -- L, 0-2, 3.86 ERA

*** The winning streak finally snapped for Burlington with one pitch -- a pinch-hit walkoff homer by Garth in the 11th. The teams literally matched runs in the 1st, 4th and 7th before Garth's homer ended it. A Lowen force out scored Johnson, who drew 1 of 5 walks for him in the game in the 1st, to get the Bees on the board. A Lowen throwing error was part of Wisconsin's run scoring rally in the 1st to tie the game and a Wisconsin 2nd inning rally was thwarted when Bees RF Carlos Arroyo threw a runner out at the plate via Johnson's relay. Burlington moved ahead in the 4th on a Duarte RBI single but the Rattlers put together a 2-out rally in the bottom of the frame to once more tie the game. A Lowen RBI double gave the Bees a third lead in the 7th but RP Rayner Oliveros gave up a 1-out double in the bottom of the inning to get pulled in favor of de la Vara, who struck out the next batter before giving up an RBI double to tie it at 3. The Bees got runners at first and third with 1 out in both the 9th and 10th but could do nothing with the chances so, after an uneventful Bee 11th, Garth came up to lead off the Wisconsin half and homered off Garcia to left to end it. Burlington dropped to 19-22 and 5 games back of first. RP Woerman got the win for Wisconsin with a hitless IP to drop his ERA to 2.01. Dominguez was 4-6 for the Rattlers with his 11th RBI to move to .319, 1B Bryan Sabatella was 3-5 to improve to .170 and Hudson was 1-5 to drop to .290.

Game 3 of the series got an early start Monday and the Bees won, 12-5. Michael Penn got the start for Burlington. That game will be detailed in the next RoF report.

Royals on the Farm 5/18

AAA - Omaha: Sacramento 3, O-Royals 2

3B Teahen 2-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, E (1) -- .250, AAAA player???
C Phillips 2-4, 2B, K, RS -- .275
2B Gotay 0-4, BB, 2 K, picked off -- .233, not getting it done, ejected in 9th
SS Blanco 0-5, K -- .282, Berroa Jr.
RF Allen 1-3, BB, K, RS, SB -- .303
LF D. Brown 0-3, BB -- .043, avg says it all

Bernero 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 K, HRA -- ND, 3.32 ERA, has done all right as a starter
Brooks 2 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 3 K -- L, 0-2, 8.36 ERA, better than other recent outings

*** Omaha got one inning of scoring offense Thursday and it wasn't enough as the O-Royals dropped the opener with the River Cats. Following the example of their big league brethren, the O-Royals loaded the bases with 0 out in the 2nd but failed to score after 2 Ks and a pop out. Sacramento 3B Scott McClain went solo in the 2nd to give the River Cats an early lead and the River Cats manufactured another run in the 5th to take a 2-0 lead. Omaha finally got the offense going in the 6th as Teahen doubled home a run and CF Chip Ambres, who had been one of the bases-loaded Ks in the 2nd, hit a sac fly to tie the game. After a Dee Brown walk loaded the bases, Gotay popped out to end the inning. Frank Brooks came in to pitch the 7th for Omaha and the River Cats pushed the lead run across. After Gotay was called out on strikes for the second out of the 9th, he was tossed and Blanco K'd to end the game. Omaha is 17-22 and 4 1/2 games back of first. River Cats SP Dan Meyer, the on-again, off-again A's pitching prospect, got a no decision with 2 ER over 5+ IP to make his ERA 4.46. CF Doug Clark was 3-3 to improve to .335, DH Nathan Espy, who haunted Wichita at Midland earlier this season, was 2-3 to improve to .403, A's hot prospect 1B Daric Barton was 0-4 to drop to .265, Moneyball C Jeremy Brown was 1-4 to drop to .333 and RF Jason Perry, another Wrangler nemesis at Midland, was 0-4 to drop to .053, so he isn't doing so hot at AAA.

Game 2 of the series is tonight. Pitchers: Omaha RH Danny Tamayo (3-1, 2.35) vs. RH Juan Dominguez (2-5, 6.69). The team site reports SP Brian Bass was demoted to Wichita. Over 7 starts, the 24-year old was 1-5 with a 7.59 ERA and allowed 49 hits in 32.0 innings, with 14 walks and 11 strikeouts. Bass had given up 16 earned runs in 7.0 innings for a 20.57 ERA in his last two starts. Also the site speculates 1B Justin Huber will return to town when Shane Costa is called up any day now.

AA - Wichita: Tulsa 8, Wranglers 7

3B Gordon 2-5, 2B (12), RBI (21), K, RS, SB (10) -- .314
RF Butler 0-3, BB, RS -- .281
LF Lubanski 1-4, 2B (12), RBI (16), RS -- .272
CF Maier 1-4, 2B (11), 2 RBI (28), RS -- .286
DH Costa 1-4, K -- .375, rehab game 2
2B Murphy 2-3, 2 RBI (15), HBP, RS, CS, E (3) -- .259, heating up back from DL
SS Sanchez 0-4, BB, RS, E (12) -- .270

Middleton 6 IP, 4 R (3 ER), 6 H, 3 BB, 5 K, HRA -- ND, 3.78 ERA
Hoelscher 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K, HRA -- BS, 2, 4.50 ERA
DePriest 2 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- L, 0-3, 3.44 ERA

*** A 7-run 5th gave Wichita a 7-3 lead but the Wrangler pen couldn't hold the Drillers down. Middleton gave up 3 runs in the 4th thanks in part to errors by Murphy and Sanchez to give Tulsa a 3-0 lead. The Wranglers exploded in the 5th as C Damaso Espino and Lubanski had back-to-back RBI doubles, Gordon followed two batters later with an RBI double, Maier came through with a 2-out, 2-run double and Murphy followed with a 2-run single to make the score 7-3 Wichita. Middleton gave up a run in the 6th and, after Hoelscher came in for the 7th, the reliever gave up a 3-run homer to Drillers C Alvin Colina to tie the game. As the Wrangler offense sputtered, Tulsa pushed a run across on a sac fly in the 9th to take the 8-7 lead and Gordon struck out with a runner at second in the 9th to end the game. Wichita is 17-23 and 7 games back of first. Tulsa RP Manuel Corpas picked up his 10th save with a scoreless 9th to drop his ERA to 1.69, SS Troy Tulowitzki was 1-6 to drop to .293, RF Joe Gaetti was 2-3 to improve to .329, 3B Ian Stewart was 1-5 to drop to .252 and CF Jordan Czarniecki was 2-4 to move to .297.

The teams match up for a doubleheader tonight. No announced pitchers for the Wranglers. According to the Eagle, Shane Costa is slated to head back to KC today. I also assume Bass will take Ryan Snare's vacated spot in the rotation.

High-A - High Desert: Mavs 3, Lancaster 2 (7/game 1)

RF Valentin 1-4, HR (4), RBI (18) -- .312
1B Stodolka 2-3, BB, K, RS, E (6) -- .330
CF Senreiso 2-4, RBI (15), K -- .275
LF Galloway 0-3, BB, K, RBI (16)
3B Lucas 0-2, BB, K, SB (5) -- .277

Buckner 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 3 K, HRA -- W, 5-0, 2.39 ERA, great start to '06
DeHoyos IP, BB, 2 K -- SV, 7, 1.17 ERA

*** Buckner didn't keep Lancaster totally quiet but did enough to get the W and move to 5-0 on the season as the Mavericks opened a Thursday twinbill with a narrow win over the JetHawks. Two walks followed by an RBI force out by Galloway gave High Desert a 1-0 lead in the 1st and, after Valentin struck his 4th homer to lead off the 3rd, Senreiso singled home a run that inning to make the score 3-0. Buckner didn't have completely smooth sailing in any inning and the JetHawks finally got to him in the 5th for an RBI double. Buckner gave up a solo homer in the 6th to shrink the lead to 1 but got out of the inning. DeHoyos came in to pitch the 7th and sandwiched a walk between 2 Ks before getting a fly out to end the game. Lancaster CF Chris Rahl was 2-3 with 2 doubles (17 on the season) and his 27th RBI to improve to .370 and DH Mark Reynolds was 0-3 to drop to .321.

Mavs 6, Lancaster 3 (7/game 2)

C Donachie 3-3, HR (2), 2 RBI (8), 3 RS -- .283
1B R. Brown 3-4, HR (4), RBI (17) -- .292
RF McFall 2-2, 2B, SF, 3 RBI (19) -- .200
DH Galloway 0-3, BB, K -- .276
3B Lucas 0-2, BB, RS -- .273
Stodolka DNP

Crist 6 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 1-0, 4.50 ERA
Barnes IP, BB, 3 K! -- SV, 2, 4.09 ERA

*** Crist got his 1st High Desert win thanks to some steady offense from the Mavericks. Crist gave up a run in the 1st but High Desert retaliated with 3 in the 2nd on a Donachie 2-run shot (his 2nd) and an RBI double by McFall. The Mavs added a run in the 4th on a McFall sac fly to take a 4-1 lead but Crist gave up a 2-run double that frame to close the gap to 1. A Brown solo homer (his 4th) and a McFall RBI single in the 6th gave the Mavericks some insurance and RP Justin Barnes allowed two baserunners in the 7th but struck out the side to end the game. High Desert is now 21-19 and 1 1/2 games back of first after taking 3 of 4 from the cellar-dwelling JetHawks. Rahl was 1-4 with a K to drop to .367, Reynolds was 0-2 to drop to .315 and RF Carlos Gonzalez was 2-3 with his 28th RBI to improve to .277.

A 3-game home set with the division-leading Lake Elsinore Storm (22-17, High-A Padres) starts tonight. No announced starters.

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 2, Lansing 1 (12)

CF Santana 3-5, 2 CS -- .290
1B Vega 2-4, BB, 2 K -- .267, hot streak continues
SS Arce 2-4, BB, RBI -- .209

Nicoll 5 2/3 IP, ER, 3 H, BB, 7 K -- ND, 1.93 ERA!
Schambough 2 1/3 IP, BB, 3 K -- 1.29 ERA
de la Vara 4 perfect IP, 3 K -- W, 2-1, 2.54 ERA
*6 1/3 combined hitless IP out of the pen!

*** Burlington had a great day on the pitcher's mound as three hurlers held the Lugnuts to 3 hits over 12 IP but the offense was another story as the Bees finally pushed the winning run across in the 12th. RF Carlos Arroyo hit an RBI fielder's choice to get Burlington started in the 3rd but the Bees couldn't buy a run otherwise. Lansing tied the game in the 6th thanks in part to a missed catch error by Bees 2B Josh Johnson and Nicoll exited the game. The teams took turns shutting each other down on offense with 1-2-3 innings the norm for the latter part of the game. Vega led off the Bees' 12th with a single and PR Jeremy Jirschele stole second with 2 outs to get into scoring position. Santana singled him to third and after Johnson walked to load the bases, Valentino Arce came through with a clutch single to win the game for Burlington. The Bees are 17-21 and on a 5-game win streak. Lugnuts SP Russell Savickas allowed only 1 ER over 6 IP to drop his ERA to 2.68, 2B Sean Shoffit was 0-4 to drop to .303 and 3B Anthony Hatch was 2-4 to move to .279.

The Bees will try to break out the brooms on Lansing Friday. Pitchers: Bees SP Matt Kniginyzky (3-2, 3.10) vs. Lugnuts RH Billy Carnline (3-1, 2.43). I gotta say, the Bees starting rotation gives me some hope for the future. Rosa, Nicoll and Kniginyzky especially have been great thus far.

Royals on the Farm 5/17

AAA - Omaha: off day

Omaha and Sacramento (17-22) start a 4-game set tonight in Sac-town. Omaha is 17-21.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 7, Tulsa 3

3B Gordon 1-3, HR (8), RBI (20), BB, 2 RS -- .311
RF Butler 0-3, K, HBP, 2 RS -- .287
DH Lubanski 1-4, BB, RBI (15), K, RS -- .273
CF Maier 2-4, 2B (10), HR (6), 2 RBI (26) -- .287, RBI machine back in business
LF Costa 2-4, RBI -- .500, rehabbing
C Tupman 1-1, 2 BB, RBI (13), SF -- .355
SS Sanchez 0-5, E (11) -- .277
2B Murphy 1-4, 2B, K, RS -- .244

C. Smith 4 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, 0 BB, K -- ND, 2.88 ERA
Markray 3 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, K -- W, 1-0, 2.20 ERA
Braun 1 1/3 IP, K, nothing else -- 2.42 ERA

*** The Wranglers kept their hot streak going Wednesday with the victory over Tulsa to get their 5th win in a row. The bats went to work early as the Wranglers scored in both the 1st and 2nd on an RBI single by Costa in his first rehab AB in AA and an RBI single by Lubanski for a 2-0 lead. Tulsa got on the board in the 3rd but the Wranglers answered with 2 that inning on a fielding error on a Butler hit to 3B that scored Gordon and a Tupman sac fly. The Drillers stayed in the game by scoring 2 off SP Cody Smith in the 4th but Wichita put the game away with 3 in the 5th on a leadoff homer by Gordon (his 8th, which went so far over the fence it hit the boulevard in that direction) and a 2-run dinger by Maier (his 6th). Markray and Braun took it from there. Wichita is 17-22 and 6 games back of first. Rockies SS prospect Troy Tulowitzki was 0-5 to drop to .299, CF Jordan Czarniecki, who killed the Wranglers in a series earlier this season, was 2-3 to move to .290, Gary's son LF Joe Gaetti was 1-4 to drop to .315 and RF Seth Smith was 2-4 to move to .265.

The Wranglers try to keep the mojo working today in game 2 of the set. No announced pitchers. The Wranglers' games with Corpus Christi May 31 and June 1 will be televised on RSTN. Check your local listings.

High-A - High Desert: rainout

*** The game was rescheduled as part of a twinbill today with Lancaster. The Mavs are 19-19.

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 7, Lansing 2

2B Arce 3-5, 2 RBI -- .195
LF Santana 2-2, 2 BB, RBI, RS -- .266
C Lowen 2-4, 2B, 2 RS -- .240
1B Vega 1-4, HR (5), 3 RBI (19), E (5) -- .258, killing the ball lately
SS McConnell 0-3, BB, K, HBP -- .183
DH Thibault 0-3, RS, HBP -- .231, sliding BA

Penn 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 2-1, 4.02 ERA
Damico 2 IP, 0 ER, H, K -- 3.98 ERA

*** Bees pitchers held the Lugnuts to 6 hits and the Bee hitters took advantage of 2 Lansing errors in the 7-2 win. Lansing generated 2 runs off Penn in the 4th but the Bees bounced back to rally for 5 that inning on Vega's 3-run blast (his 5th) and, after an error, wild pitch and walk loaded the bases with 0 out, Arce singled home 2 runs to put Burlington on top, 5-2. A DP ball by OF Carlos Arroyo scored another Bee run in the 6th and the Bees added their final run in the 8th on a Santana RBI single. Burlington is 16-21 and 4 1/2 games back of first. Lugnuts 2B Sean Shoffit was 1-5 with his 10th error to drop to .312.

The series continues tonight. Pitchers: Bees RH Chris Nicoll (2-2, 2.00) vs. Lansing RH Russ Savickas (1-0, 2.87).

Royals on the Farm 5/16

AAA - Omaha: Colorado Springs 6, Omaha 5 (11)

RF Allen 3-5, K -- .302
3B Teahen 3-5, 3B, RBI, RS -- .200
CF Ambres 4-5, RBI, CS -- .208, over the Mendoza line with a 4-hit day
C Phillips 2-5, BB, RBI (12), K, 2 RS -- .267
SS Blanco 2-6, 3B (4), K, RS, SB (1), E (12) -- .294
LF D. Brown 1-5, 3 K -- .050, first AAA hit of '06

Snyder 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, BB, 4 K, balk -- ND, 4.24 ERA
Loux 2 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, 0 BB, K -- BS, 1, 1.80 ERA
Andrade 2 IP, ER, 3 H, 0 BB, K, HRA -- L, 0-1, 2.25 ERA

*** The Omaha bullpen couldn't hold a 2-run lead and a homer in the 11th made the difference for the Sky Sox in the series ending victory over the O-Royals. Colorado Springs scored in the 1st off Snyder but Omaha took the lead with 3 in the 4th on a Teahen RBI triple, sac fly by 2B Mike Aviles and Ambres RBI single. Snyder got touched up for another run in the 5th to cut the lead to 1 but Omaha got it back in the bottom of the inning on a Phillips RBI single after a leadoff triple by Blanco. RP Luke Hudson came on for the 6th and left with the bases loaded and 1 out in the 7th in favor of RP Shane Loux, who gave up a single and double to give Colorado Springs a 5-4 lead. A throwing error on a pickoff attempt allowed Phillips to score from second in the 7th and the game was tied at 5. Andrade came in to pitch the 10th and Omaha dodged a bullet as Colorado Springs got runners at first and third with 0 out. Andrade struck out Sky Sox LF Sean Barker swinging and the runner at third was caught trying to steal home on the play in an odd DP and Andrade got the next batter to line out to end the threat. In the 11th, Andrade's luck ran out as he gave up a 2-out solo homer to Sky Sox SS Omar Quintanilla, his 1st of '06. Omaha got runners to first and second with 2 out in the bottom of the inning, as one of the outs was on a missed bunt by Dermal Brown, but Phillips popped out to end the game. Omaha is 17-21 and 4 1/2 games back of first. Former Royal gas can Nate Field got the win for Colorado Springs with 2 IP of 1-hit ball to move to 2-2 with a 5.87 ERA. Quintanilla was 3-4 with the homer to improve to .280, DH Carlos Rivera was 1-5 to drop to .325 and CF Ryan Spilborghs was 2-5 to move to .309.

The O-Royals have Wednesday off before starting a 4-game set at the Sacramento River Cats (17-22, AAA Athletics) Thursday.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 11, Springfield 5

3B Gordon 1-3, BB, HBP, 2 RS -- .310
RF Butler 3-5, 2B (11), 2 RBI (22), RS -- .292
LF Lubanski 0-2, 3 BB, K -- .273
2B Murphy 3-5, 2B, HR (5), 2 RBI (24), 2 RS -- .243
CF Maier 1-4, RBI (24), RS, SF -- .281
1B Kaaihue 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI (13), K, 2 RS -- .200
SS Sanchez 1-5, RS -- .287

Herndon 7 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HRA -- W, 3-2, 4.15 ERA

*** The Wranglers dropped the lumber on Springfield Tuesday with 7 runs in the first 3 innings en route to the easy win to take 4 of 5 from the Cards. A Butler RBI single and Maier sac fly gave Wichita a 2-0 lead after 1 and a throwing error and wild pitch allowed Kaaihue and C Damaso Espino score in the 2nd before a Sanchez DP ball brought another run home and a Butler RBI double gave Wichita a 6-0 lead after 2. Murphy homered to lead off the 3rd but homers in the 6th and 7th got Springfield 3 runs to make the score 7-3. Five straight hits to start the 7th, including a Murphy RBI double and 2-run double by Kaaihue, gave Wichita a 10-3 lead and a force out by DH Brett Groves brought the team's final run across home plate. RP Leo Nunez gave up 2 ER in the 9th but finished the game. Wichita is 16-22 and 6 games back of first. Cards 1B Juan Richardson was 3-4 to improve to .385 but also made his 2nd error of the season in the loss. Former KC farmhand DH Josh Pressley was 2-3 for Springfield with his first AA homer of '06 to improve to .267.

As the Wranglers ride a 4-game winning streak, a 5-game home set with the Tulsa Drillers (21-17, AA Rockies) starts Wednesday. Pitchers: Tulsa SP Alberto Arias (3-1, 3.38 ERA) vs. the Wranglers' Cody Smith (1-0, 2.57 ERA). The Wranglers released starter Ryan Snare on Sunday, which was no huge loss as he had a 6.62 ERA and 1.92 WHIP in 35 IP. According to the Wichita Eagle, OF Shane Costa may be in town later this week to rehab with Wichita.

High-A - High Desert: Mavs 13, Lancaster 8

LF Valentin 3-6, HR (3), 2 RBI (17), K, 2 RS -- .315
SS Falu 3-6, HR (1), 4 RBI (14), 2 RS, E (5) -- .254
DH Stodolka 2-4, 2B (15), BB, 2 RS -- .321
3B Gaffney 3-5, RS -- .283
1B R. Brown 2-5, HR (3), RBI (16), 2 RS -- .285
CF Senreiso 2-5, 2B, 3B (2), 3 RBI (14), 2 K -- .263
RF McFall 2-5, HR (5), 2 RBI (16), K, 2 RS -- .184

Plummer 4 1/3 IP, 6 R (5 ER), 7 H, BB, 6 K, 2 HRA -- ND, 5.68 ERA
Rowe 2 1/3 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 3 K -- W, 3-1, 4.58 ERA
Moore 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K -- SV, 4, 3.10 ERA

*** It was a Cal-League special as the smoke cleared on a combined 21 runs on 29 hits with High Desert winning. Lancaster had the mojo early but the Mavericks had a big inning late in the game to get the victory. After a leadoff single by Falu in the top of the 1st, Valentin hit a 2-run bomb to center and went back-to-back with a solo shot by Brown for a 3-0 Mavs lead. C Adam Donachie added a sac fly in the inning to score Stodolka, who doubled after Brown's homer. That wouldn't be near enough offense Tuesday as Plummer gave up 2 homers in the 2nd to allow Lancaster to cut the lead to 1. Senreiso doubled Stodolka home in the 3rd but the JetHawks answered with 3 more that inning to take a 6-5 lead. The lead was short-lived as the Mavericks scored twice in the 4th on a 2-run shot by McFall and added a run in the 6th on a Falu RBI single. Five runs in the 8th for High Desert pretty much put the game away as Falu showed some rare longball power with a 3-run homer for his 1st of '06 and Senreiso hit a 2-run triple. The Mavs are 19-19 and 2 games back of a three-team logjam in first. JetHawks CF Chris Rahl was 2-5 to move to .364 and SS Mark Reynolds was 3-4 to improve to .330. DH Javier Brito was 1-3 with his 5th homer to drop to .351.

The series continues tonight. Pitchers: Lancaster's Matt Green (1-3) vs. the Mavs' Kyle Crist (0-0).

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 4, Lansing 1

1B Vega 2-3, HR (4), 2 RBI (16), K -- .258, hitting well lately
SS McConnell 1-3, RBI (11), K, RS, SB (4), picked off -- .189
DH Thibault 1-4, RBI (16), K -- .238
LF Santana 1-1, RS, SB (9) -- .242

Rosa 6 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K -- W, 3-3, 2.41 ERA
Garcia, Hayes and de la Vara 2 1/3 IP of hitless relief -- de la Vara's 5th save

*** The Bees finally dodged the raindrops long enough to get in a game and took down the Lugnuts behind the pitching of Carlos Rosa. Lansing's only 2 hits of the game came in the 4th off Rosa and plated a run to give the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead. A Vega 2-run homer in the 5th gave the Bees the lead and Rosa allowed only a walk in any inning other than the 4th before leaving in favor of RP Eliszer Garcia with 2 out in the 7th. McConnell squeeze-played a run home in the 8th and Thibault singled home a run that inning to give the Bees a 4-1 lead and de la Vara quietly shut the door in the 9th by striking out the side with a HBP mixed in. The Bees are 15-21 and 4 1/2 games back of first. Lansing starter Chi-Hung Cheng took a hard loss with 6 IP of 2 ER on 3 H with 8 K to drop to 5-3 with a 3.20 ERA, 2B Sean Shoffit was 1-4 to drop to .316 and LF Cory Patton was 1-4 with his 30th RBI to drop to .295.

The series continues today. Pitchers: Bees RH Michael Penn (1-1, 4.66) vs. Lugnuts RH Kristian Bell (3-1, 4.38).

Royals on the Farm 5/15

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 6, Colorado Springs 4

2B Gotay 2-5, 3B, RBI (13), 2 K, RS -- .240
SS Aviles 2-4, K -- .265
RF Allen 1-4, K, RS -- .292
3B Teahen 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RS -- .120
LF D. Brown 0-4 -- still at .000, can we end the renewed Dermal experiment already?

Yarnall 5 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 8 K, HRA -- ND, 2.93 ERA
Baerlocher 2 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, K, HRA -- W, 2-1, 2.92 ERA

*** It was a game of 2s as there were 5 2-run half-innings and Omaha came out on top by 2. 1B Rick Bell doubled home a run and CF Chip Ambres hit a sacrifice fly in the 2nd to put the O-Royals ahead, 2-0. Colorado Springs tied the game in the 5th on a 2-run homer off Yarnall but Gotay tripled home a run in the 7th followed by an RBI single by DH Alejandro Prieto for a 4-2 Omaha lead. Omaha added runs in the 8th on a 2-run double by C Jared Price and RP Ryan Baerlocher gave up 2 runs in the 9th but held on to preserve the victory. Omaha is 17-20 and 4 1/2 games back of first. Sky Sox SP Miguel Asencio took the loss with 4 ER and 8 K over 7 IP to drop to 2-3 with a 4.59 ERA. Sky Sox 1B Carlos Rivera was 1-4 to drop to .330 and CF Ryan Spilborghs was 1-5 to drop to .305. RF Jeff Baker hit his 3rd homer and picked up his 29th RBI in going 1-4 to drop to .287.

The series is wrapping up as I write and it's 5-5 in the 8th. Starters were: Sky Sox RH Jon Asahina (1-2, 6.10) vs. Omaha RH Kyle Snyder (0-2, 4.33). RP Joe Nelson was called up to KC to replace new pickup RP Chris Booker, who gave up 3 HRs in one inning in his team debut and promptly went on the DL with a reported groin injury.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 7, Springfield 6

3B Gordon 1-4, BB, RBI (19), K -- .310
RF Butler 0-3, HBP, K -- .282, slumping
LF Lubanski 0-5, 2 K, RBI (14), E (3), OF assist at home -- .277
CF Maier 2-4, 2B (9), HR (5), RBI (23), K, 2 RS -- .282
SS Sanchez 2-4, BB, 2 RBI (18), E (10, double digits) -- .290
2B Murphy 2-4, 2B, RBI (11), 2 RS -- .217
C Tupman 2-4, RS, SB (1) -- .348
* The Wranglers turned 4 DPs

Cedeno 3 IP, 6 UER!, 3 H, 4 BB, K -- ND, 4.63 ERA, not a good start
DePriest 3 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, K -- ND, 3.45 ERA
Gragg III IP, BB, nothing else -- W, 1-1, 5.02 ERA

*** Wichita came back from a 6-0 deficit and capped it off with 3 in the bottom of the 9th to get the victory. Fielding errors by Sanchez and Lubanski along with 3 walks, a bases-loaded double and two RBI singles helped the Cards build a 6-0 lead but Lubanski atoned on the play that included his error by throwing a runner out at the plate via relay man Donnie Murphy. The score remained 6-0 in the 5th when Maier led off with a double and was singled home by Murphy. A fly into a force out by DH Adam Keim brought another run home, a Lubanski ground out brought a third run home and an RBI single by Sanchez made the score 6-4 but Sanchez was cut down at second trying to stretch the hit. The Wranglers entered the bottom of the 9th down, 6-4, and Maier homered to lead off the inning and cut the lead to 1. With 2 out and the bases loaded, Springfield RP Mark Worrell Jr. walked Sanchez and Gordon to bring the tying and winning runs home and give Wichita the win. Wichita was 15-22 after the game and riding a 3-game win streak. The loss was Worrell's 2nd blown save. Springfield DH Juan Richardson was 2-3 with 3 RBI to improve to .361 and C Iker Franco was 0-3 to drop to .302.

The teams wrapped up the series with a game this morning and Wichita moved to 16-22 with a 11-5 win. They're now out of the cellar with a 4-game win streak rolling and 6 games back of Springfield. Report on that one in the next RoF.

High-A - High Desert: Lancaster 14, Mavs 4

OF Valentin 2-5, RBI (15), 2 K, RS -- .304
2B Perez 3-4, RS -- .303
1B Stodolka 1-4, K -- .314
LF Galloway 1-2, 2B (9), 2 RBI (15), HBP -- .291
C Donachie 1-4, RS -- .271
3B Lucas 1-4, RBI (18), K, CS -- .281

Christensen 4 IP, 8 ER, 11 H, BB, 2 K, 2 HRA -- L, 1-3, 4.91 ERA, ugly start
DeHoyos IP, BB, nothing else -- 1.26 ERA

*** Lancaster scored in all but 2 innings and High Desert got blown out by the JetHawks. The score was 7-0 in the 5th when High Desert got on the board with 3 runs on an RBI single by Valentin and a 2-run double by Galloway. It was 14-3 when High Desert scored its last run in the 8th on an RBI single by Lucas. Christensen and RPs C.J. Woodrow and Brandon Weeden all got touched up by Lancaster. High Desert is 18-19 and 3 games back of first. Lancaster SP Gregory Smith moved to 4-0 with 6 IP of 3 ER and 5 K to make his ERA 2.24. JetHawks CF Chris Rahl was 3-5 with 3 RBI to move to .363, SS Mark Reynolds was 2-4 with his 8th homer to move to .314 and LF Javier Brito was 2-3 to move to .352. Three other JetHawks had a multi-hit game in the drubbing.

Game 2 of the series is tonight. Pitchers: JetHawks SP Kellen Raab vs. the Mavs' Jarod Plummer.

Low-A - Burlington: double rainout

*** The scheduled doubleheader of games with Quad Cities won't be made up according to the team site. Burlington (14-21) begins a 4-game home set with the Lansing Lugnuts (23-13, Low-A Blue Jays) tonight. Pitchers: Lugnuts SP Chi-Hung Cheng (5-2, 3.24) vs. Bees SP Carlos Rosa (2-3, 2.64). The Bees haven't played since Saturday so they should be well-rested.

Royals on the Farm 5/14

AAA - Omaha: Colorado Springs 8, O-Royals 2

RF Allen 1-4, K -- .293
C Phillips 1-4, RBI (11) -- .261
LF D. Brown 0-2, BB, RBI -- .000 through 11 ABs
SS Blanco 1-4 -- .292
2B Gotay 0-3, BB, RS -- .234, sliiiiiiiiiding
3B Teahen 0-3, BB, K -- .087, Beane's trick on Baird?

Keppel 4 2/3 IP, 6 ER, 10 H, BB, K, 2 HRA, WP -- L, 2-4, 5.55 ERA
RP Shane Loux 2 1/3 IP, H, nothing else -- 0.00 ERA, organizational debut
Andrade IP, nothing -- 1.80 ERA

*** Much like Omaha's Saturday starter got slapped around by the Sky Sox, Colorado Springs jumped all over Keppel for 5 in the first 2 innings and Omaha never was a factor in the 8-2 loss. An RBI single and 2-run homer in the 1st got the Sky Sox off to a 3-run start and another 2-run shot in the 2nd gave the Sox a 5-0 lead. LF Dee Brown hit an RBI ground out and Phillips singled Gotay in the 3rd but the 2-out rally was stifled by Blanco getting thrown out at third on Phillips' hit. Looks like he and Berroa have more in common than initials and an iron glove. Keppel got chased after an RBI double in the 5th and a 2-run homer in the 8th off RP Denny Tamayo capped the scoring for Colorado Springs. Omaha's best chance to score after the 3rd was when they loaded the bases with 2 out off CS RP Jaime Cerda (surprise since he's an ex-Royal gas can) in the 7th but Gotay flied out to end the inning. Omaha is 16-20 and 6 games back of first. Sky Sox SP Enmanuel Ulloa made his AAA '06 debut and got the win with 2 ER over 6 IP. Cerda survived 3 walks to lower his ERA to 5.09, SS Omar Quintanilla was 3-5 to improve to .267 and 1B Carlos Rivera was 2-5 to move to .333.

Another familiar face revisits Omaha in game 3 of the series Monday. Pitchers: Sky Sox RH and former KC hopeful Miguel Asencio (2-2, 4.44) vs. Omaha LH Eddie Yarnall (1-0, 2.78). I'm not sure how Loux fit into the roster and whose place he took.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 5, Springfield 1

3B Gordon 2-3, BB, RBI (18), E (5) -- .312
RF Butler 1-2, 2 SF, 3 RBI (20) -- .288
LF Lubanski 1-3, BB, 2B (11), RS -- .287
SS Sanchez 2-4, 3 RS, E (9) -- .284
CF Maier 0-4 -- .275
2B Murphy 2-3, BB, HR (4), RBI (10) -- .200, back from DL in style

Song 5 IP, ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 WP -- W, 3-3, 3.96 ERA
C. Smith, Hoelscher and Nunez 4 IP scoreless relief

*** Wichita's four pitchers stifled the Cardinals and the offense generated enough runs to get another win. A Butler sac fly in the 1st put the Wranglers up, 1-0, but two Song wild pitches in the 3rd helped Springfield tie it up. Gordon and Butler hit back-to-back RBI singles in the 5th, Murphy homered to lead off the 6th and Butler hit another sac fly in the 7th to round out the scoring. Wichita is 14-22. The Cardinals were held to 4 hits in the losing effort. 3B Rico Washington was 1-3 with his 28th RBI to move to .300, C Iker Franco was 0-4 to drop to .311 and former Omaha 1B Josh Pressley was 1-4 for Springfield to move to .167.

The series continues Monday. No announced pitchers yet.

High-A - High Desert: Rancho Cucamonga 8, Mavs 4

C Duenas 2-4, K -- .216
1B Stodolka 0-3, 2 BB, K, RS -- .316
2B Valentin 0-5, E (4) -- .299
LF Galloway 1-5, 2B (8) -- .287
3B Lucas 1-4, RBI (17) -- .282

Cota 3 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K, WP -- L, 1-4, 7.52 ERA

*** Cota and RP Justin Barnes got blasted in the 4th and the Mavericks got swept by the Quakes Sunday. Rancho Cucamonga did a double steal of second and home successfully in the 1st to take the lead but High Desert came back with 2 in the 2nd on homers by DH Rusty Brown (his 2nd) and OF Juan Senreiso (his 6th) and 1 in the 3rd on a Quakes fielding error that allowed a run to score. Four straight hits to lead off the 4th for the Quakes and two 1-out walks by Cota led to Barnes being brought in and the reliever gave up a 3-run double with 2 outs to give Rancho Cucamonga a 7-3 lead. RP C.J. Woodrow gave up another run in the 7th and Lucas singled a run home in the 8th to account for the final tally. High Desert is 18-18. Quakes SS Sean Rodriguez was 1-4 with 3 RBI to drop to .323 but also had 2 errors to move to 11 on the year, 3B Freddy Sandoval was 1-3 to move to .303 and 1B Baltazar Lopez was 1-4 to drop to .305.

High Desert moves on to a 4-game set at the Lancaster JetHawks (13-24, High-A D'Backs) Monday. No announced pitchers.

Low-A - Burlington: rainout

The game with Quad Cities will be made up as part of a Monday twinbill. The Bees are 14-21.

Royals on the Farm 5/12 and 5/13

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 4, Salt Lake 2 (Fri.)

RF Allen 2-4, HR (6), RBI (28) -- .301
SS Blanco 2-3, K, RS -- .304
C Phillips 2-4, 2 RBI (10) -- .272
2B Gotay 0-2, RS, E (4) -- .237
3B Teahen 1-4 --- .111
CF Ambres 0-3, 2 K, CS -- .186

Bernero 7 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, BB, 3 K -- ND, 3.38 ERA
Baerlocher 2 IP, 0 ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- W, 1-1, 1.80 ERA

*** Omaha took advantage of 4 Salt Lake errors and scored 2 late runs to earn a split with Salt Lake. Phillips hit an RBI single in the 1st to put Omaha on top and Allen homered to lead off the 4th to give the O-Royals a 2-0 lead. The Bees rallied for 2 runs off Bernero in the 5th to tie the game and Baerlocher dodged a bullet in the 8th when a double put runners at second and third with 2 out but he got SL DH Kendry Morales to pop out and end the half-inning. Omaha 1B Alejandro Prieto hit a sac fly in the bottom of the 8th to break the tie and two errors by Bees SP Dustin Moseley helped lead to a Phillips RBI single that put Omaha up, 4-2. Baerlocher got a double play to end the game in the 9th. Omaha moved to 16-18 with the win. Bees C Jeff Mathis was 2-4 to move to .355, Morales was 2-4 to up his BA to .264 and SS Erick Aybar was 1-4 with his 22nd RBI to drop to .285. He also had 2 errors to move to 10 on the season.

Colorado Springs 9, O-Royals 0 (Sat.)

2B Gotay 1-3, BB, K -- .239, team's only hit
SS Blanco 0-4 -- .293
RF Allen 0-3, E (4) -- .294
3B Teahen 0-2, BB -- .100
CF Ambres 0-2, BB, K -- .183
* they did turn 4 DPs

Bass 4 IP, 9 ER, 10 H, 2 BB, 3 K, HRA, WP -- L, 1-4, 7.59 ERA, nightmare start
Hudson 3 IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, 3 K -- 0.00 ERA
Brooks 2 IP, 0 ER, H, 2 BB -- 9.00 ERA

*** The Sky Sox got to Bass early and often and SP Sun Woo Kim did the rest in absolutely shutting the O-Royals down. Bass gave up 3 RBI doubles in the 1st, another RBI double and a 2-run homer in the 2nd and 2 RBI singles in the 4th. Hudson and Brooks locked things down from there but the damage was done. Gotay singled in the 6th to break up Kim's no-no. Omaha is 16-19. 110 pitches meant no complete game but Kim moved to 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA in allowing only 1 hit over 8 IP. Sky Sox CF Ryan Spilborghs was 3-4 to move to .312, SS Omar Quintanilla was 3-5 to move to .254 and DH Carlos Rivera was 1-5 with his 4th homer to drop to .330.

Game 2 of the set is Sunday afternoon. Pitchers. CS RH Mike Esposito (2-2, 4.05) vs. Omaha RH Bobby Keppel (2-3, 4.89).

AA - Wichita: Springfield 5, Wranglers 1 (Fri.)

DH Gordon 0-3, K -- .303
RF Butler 0-4, K -- .297
LF Lubanski 1-4, 3B (2), RS, OF assist at second -- .289
CF Maier 1-4 -- .288
SS Sanchez 2-3, BB, RBI (16) -- .286
C Tupman 1-4, K -- .333

Snare 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 5 BB, 5 K, HRA -- L, 2-2, 6.62 ERA
DePriest 2 IP hitless relief -- 4.26 ERA

*** When Gordon, Butler and Lubanski go a combined 1-11, it's gonna be hard for Wichita to score runs. If you throw in Maier to make that 2-15, the axiom still holds. Snare gave up 3 runs in the 2nd and 2 more in the 5th to put the Cards up, 5-0, and the Wranglers had 4 base runners through 6 innings. Lubanski tripled to lead off the 8th and scored on Sanchez's ensuing single but Wichita didn't get another base runner. Wichita dropped to 12-22. Springfield SP Stuart Pomeranz improved to 4-0 with 6 2/3 scoreless IP to drop his ERA to 3.38. Cards 3B Rico Washington was 2-3 to move to .311, C Iker Franco was 1-4 to drop to .305 and DH Juan Richardson was 2-5 with his 3rd homer to improve to .333.

Wranglers 7, Springfield 4 (Sat.)

3B Gordon 1-3, 2 BB, RS, SB (9) -- .304, .372 OBP/.917 OPS (latter 2 stats through Fri.)
RF Butler 0-5, 2 K, RS -- .285, .353 OBP/.828 OPS
LF Lubanski 1-5 -- .286, .358 OBP/.839 OPS
C Tupman 1-1, 3 BB, RBI (12), RS -- .341, .449 OBP!!!/.851 OPS, get him to Omaha already
CF Maier 0-2, BB, RBI (22), HBP, K, 2 RS, SB (3) -- .284, .329 OBP/.783 OPS
SS Sanchez 0-4, BB, K, RS -- .277, .372 OBP/.730 OPS
2B Keim 2-4, 3 RBI (7), RS -- .211

Middleton 5 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 2 K -- W, 3-2, 3.68 ERA, not good K/BB ratio Saturday
Hoelscher IP, nothing -- SV, 1, 2.84 ERA, leads team with 0.94 WHIP

*** Two big innings were enough for Wichita in striking back against Springfield. Middleton gave up 2 runs off the bat, so to speak, in the 1st but Wichita doubled that in the 3rd with a 4-run, 2-out rally. Two walks and a fielding error helped Wichita load the bases and Maier and Tupman were walked by Cards SP Mike Parisi to tie the game. Keim followed with a 2-run single to put Wichita up, 4-2. Middleton hit a batter with the bases loaded in the 5th but Wichita got some space with 3 that inning on a Keim RBI single and 2-run double by 1B Kila Kaaihue. RP Thad Markray gave up a homer in the next inning but he and Hoelscher held things down from there. Wichita is 13-22. Franco was 3-4 to move to .323 for the Cardinals, RF Brian Martin was 3-3 to move to .270 and Richardson was 2-4 with his 4th homer to improve to .345.

The series continues Sunday afternoon. Pitchers: Wichita's Seung Song (2-3, 4.28) vs. Cards SP Rich Rundles (3-1, 3.13). As a side note, at the time of Dee Brown's call up to Omaha, through 13 games at Wichita he was hitting .125 with a .192 OBP and .421 OPS. The organization dumped Wranglers IF Randy Ruiz after he hit .217/.379/.522/.901 OPS through 6 games. I only partially get it and I say partially because I think the powers that be are trying to keep all these prospect guys together to bring up at around the same time, which explains why Brown got the call and not Lubanski or Maier or Gordon. I'm just not sure what I think about it. Also, Ruiz was in his 30s and wasn't going anywhere for KC, not that Brown is.

High-A - High Desert: Rancho Cucamonga 4, Mavs 3 (Fri.)

1B Stodolka 2-4, 2B (14), HR (5), 2 RBI (18), K, RS -- .326, .436 OBP!!!/1.089 OPS!!!, Cal League inflated, but how much?
LF Galloway 2-4, RS -- .297, .413 OBP/.839 OPS
2B Perez 2-4, K, RS, SB (1) -- .293
RF Valentin 1-4, RBI (14) -- .315, .366 OBP/.779 OPS
C Donachie 0-3, BB, K -- .286, .382 OBP/.746 OPS
3B Lucas 0-4 -- .278

Crist 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, K -- ND, 4.50 ERA
Weeden 2 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 4-1, 4.12 ERA

*** A controversial 8th inning call helped hand the game to the Quakes. Crist gave up 2 runs in the 1st to get the Mavs off to a poor start but HD got back in the game with runs in the 3rd and 4th on a Valentin RBI single and Stodolka solo homer. Crist allowed the Quakes to move back ahead in the 5th but the Mavs tied the game once more in the 6th on a Stodolka RBI double, as he continues to hit well. The Mavs loaded the bases with 1 out but a double play ended their chances at taking the lead. RP Brandon Weeden gave up a leadoff double in the 8th and the runner was then sacrificed to third. Stodolka fielded a grounder to first by the next batter and fired the ball to Donachie, who, according to the story on the team site, tagged the runner at third out 4 feet from home plate but he was ruled safe. The ump was a replacement ump as all the regular minor league umpires are on strike. Weeden got out of the inning but the controversy reportedly soured the game. The Mavs went down in order in the 9th. High Desert dropped to 18-16. Quakes 3B Freddy Sandoval was 3-3 with his 10th steal to move to .304, SS Sean Rodriguez was 2-3 to move to .325, C Michael Collins was 1-4 with his 27th RBI to drop to .349 and 1B Baltazar Lopez was 2-4 to move to .333.

Rancho Cucamonga 3, Mavs 2 (Sat.)

Stodolka DNP
3B Lucas 2-5, 2 2B (12), RS -- .283
1B R. Brown 1-1, 4 BB -- .282
DH Galloway 0-2, BB, HBP, RBI (13), SF -- .291
C Donachie 0-4, K -- .272
* The Mavs left a whopping 15 men on base.

Buckner 7 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 6 H, 2 BB, 7 K -- ND, 2.31 ERA, tough loss

*** The Mavs were frustrated with runners left on base and many fruitless chances to score in dropping a second straight 1-run game to the Quakes. The Quakes pushed across a run in the 2nd and the Mavs stranded 5 runners over 4 innings before scoring 2 in the 5th on a bases-loaded walk to OF Juan Senreiso and a Galloway sac fly. The Mavs stranded 5 more in the 6th and 7th and the Quakes tied the game in the 7th. Two more Mav runners were stranded in the 8th with another caught stealing second. Rodriguez homered off RP Nate Moore to lead off the Quakes' half of the 8th and the game ended in minor controversy in the 9th as the Mavs got 2 runners on with 1 out. 2B Wilver Perez grounded into a would-be double play but, according to the team site, should have been ruled safe at first. He wasn't ruled that by the replacement ump and the game was over. High Desert is 18-17 and 2 games back of first. Quakes DH Patrick Reilly was 2-3 to improve to .316, Collins was 1-3 to drop to .349 and Rodriguez was 1-3 with his 5th homer to improve to .325.

The series ends with a Sunday afternoon finale. Pitchers: Mavs RHP Luis Cota vs. Quakes RHP Nick Green.

Low-A - Burlington: rainout Friday, made up with Saturday 7-frame twinbill

G1 - Bees 2, Quad Cities 1 (10)

CF Duarte 2-3, BB, OF assist at home -- .258
1B Vega 2-4, RBI (12) -- .218
OF Jirschele 2-5, 2 K, RBI, RS -- .173
SS McConnell 0-4 -- .186
C Thibault 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .238
* 11 LOB

Nicoll 6 IP, ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 2 K, WP -- ND, 2.00 ERA
Schambough 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 1.45 ERA

*** What was set for 7 innings went 10 and the Bees took the first of 2 with the Swing. Vega singled home a run in the 2nd to put Burlington up, 1-0, but Quad Cities scraped together a run in the 5th. It became a battle of attrition thereafter as both teams stranded baserunners until the 10th, when the Bees won on a 1 out RBI single by Jeremy Jirschele, who is the son of Omaha manager Mike Jirschele. The Bees moved to 13-21. The pitchers' duel between Nicoll and Quad Cities starter Jaime Garcia lived up to the billing as Garcia allowed only the 1 run over 6 IP to drop to a 2.36 ERA. Cardinals prospect CF Colby Rasmus was 0-4 to drop to .291, KU product and Andy's son RF A.J. Van Slyke was 0-2 with 2 BB to drop to .235, DH Brandon Yarbrough was 2-4 to move to .341 and C Bryan Anderson was 1-5 to drop to .321.

G2 - Bees 2, Quad Cities 0

1B Vega 3-3, 3B, 2 RBI (14) -- .244
CF Duarte 0-0, 2 BB, HBP, SB (7) -- .258
* The Bees swiped 4 bases in the win.

Kniginyzky 6 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, BB, 7 K -- W, 3-2, 3.10 ERA
de la Vara 2/3 IP, nothing -- SV, 2, 3.09 ERA

*** This one went the more conventional 7 innings for the truncated doubleheader but the Bees got the win to sweep the day behind their pitching staff. Vega tripled home a run in the 2nd and singled home a run in the 4th to account for all the Bees RBI and 60 percent of the team's hits in game 2. Kniginyzky limited Quad Cities to 5 hits over 6 1/3 IP, including 2 singles with 1 out in the 7th, but de la Vara got a double play to end the game. The Bees are 14-21 and 5 games out of first. QC starter Mark McCormick gave up 2 ER over 4 IP to drop to 1-2 with a 3.12 ERA. Rasmus was 0-3 to drop to .285, LF Chad Gabriel was 2-3 to move to .351 and Yarbrough moved to catcher for game 2 and was 0-3 to drop to .330.

The series continues with a Sunday matinee. No announced starters.

Royals on the Farm 5/11

AAA - Omaha: Salt Lake 13, O-Royals 1

SS Blanco 2-3, RS, CS -- .294
DH Aviles 1-3 -- .269
C Phillips 1-3, RBI (8), K, SF, E (5) -- .263
2B Gotay 0-3, HBP, E (3) -- .241
RF Allen 0-4, K -- .295
3B Teahen 0-3, BB, 2 K -- .071
CF Ambres 0-3, K -- .191
LF D. Brown 0-3, K -- '06 Omaha debut

Snyder 6 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K, HRA, WP -- L, 0-2, 4.33 ERA
Brooks 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, BB, K -- 10.80 ERA, season's going south
Elder 1 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- 7.11 ERA, not pitching like '05 -- he and Brooks have been the gas can twins
Nelson IP, K -- 2.20 ERA

*** That smell drifting outward from Omaha was the O-Royals Thursday as they got 4-hit by Jered Weaver and three of their 4 pitchers in the tilt got hammered, likely after the game as well as during. The defense also threw in 4 errors. While Omaha scattered its hits and sprinkled in a couple walks and a HBP, Salt Lake touched up Snyder for 3 in the 4th and then opened up for 8 in the 7th off Snyder and Brooks. Elder allowed 2 in the 8th to make the score 13-0 and the O-Royals salvaged a shred of dignity as Phillips sac flied a run home in the 9th. Omaha is 15-18. Weaver allowed only 3 hits with 4 K and 0 BB over 7 IP to move to 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA. Bees LF Curtis Pride was 4-5 to improve to .270, 1B Kendry Morales was 3-5 to move to .256, C Jeff Mathis was 1-4 to drop to .333 and RF Nick Gorneault was 2-4 with his 5th homer to move to .304.

Omaha will try to salvage a split of the 4-game series tonight. Pitchers: Salt Lake RH Dustin Moseley (5-1, 2.92) vs. Omaha RH Adam Bernero (1-1, 3.60). In other news, Dee Brown got his week's worth of seasoning at Wichita and is now in Omaha, despite the fact he wasn't ripping the cover off the ball for the Wranglers. It's another move I don't get, although the O-Royals did need another body on the bench. Saturday, a 4-game home set with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (12-22 as of Friday morning, AAA Rockies) begins.

AA - Wichita: off day

Wichita begins a 5-game home set with Springfield tonight. I reported the pitchers yesterday -- Cards' Stuart Pomeranz v. Wichita's Ryan Snare. Also, on a sad note, the Wranglers' team site has now overtaken High Desert's as the crappiest in the organization. They do have some all right merchandise, however. I purchased one of the Alex Gordon T-shirts they have there a couple weeks ago. It was a little steep for a T-shirt but he looks to be worth the cash. Delivery was super quick. They also have a Billy Butler T-shirt and I think Mitch Maier's will be coming soon. Probably one for Lubanski will be down the pike a few weeks. I may also spring for the Lubanski.

High-A - High Desert: off day

A three-game set at Rancho Cucamonga starts tonight. Pitchers: Quakes SP Fernando Rodriguez (3-2, 4.68 ERA) vs. Mavericks SP Patrick Hicklen (0-5, 9.00 ERA).

Low-A - Burlington: rainout

A four-game home set with Quad Cities begins tonight. No makeup date has been announced for Thursday's rainout with South Bend. Friday's pitchers: Bees' SP Carlos Rosa (2-3, 2.64) vs. QC SP Jaime Garcia (2-2, 2.50). May be a good pitchers' duel.

Royals on the Farm 5/10

AAA - Omaha: O-Royals 5, Salt Lake 3

CF Ambres 2-3, RBI (6) -- .196, approaching the Mendoza line
1B Prieto 2-3, BB -- .212
LF Bell 2-3, HR (2), 2 RBI (6), 2 RS -- .194
2B Gotay 0-4, SB (4) -- .246
SS Blanco 1-3 -- .283
RF Allen 1-4, RS -- .304
3B Teahen 0-3, BB -- .091
DH Aviles 1-4, 2B (7), 2 RBI (13), K, RS -- .267

Yarnall 6 2/3 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 6 K, HRA -- W, 1-0, 2.78 ERA
Hudson 1 1/3 IP, 2 UER, 2 H, 0 BB, K, E (1) -- debut, 0.00 ERA
Nelson IP, 0 ER, 0 H, BB, 2 K -- SV, 2, 2.35 ERA

*** The O-Royals used a 4-run 4th to snap their 6-game losing streak. Yarnall, who was spot starting again for J.P. Howell and his "stiff shoulder," gave up a solo homer in the 2nd to Wichita nemesis 3B Mike Eylward, who recently was brought up to AAA in the Angels' organization. Otherwise, Yarnall had a great start and he was aided in the 4th by Aviles' 2-run double and RBI singles by Bell and Aviles for a 4-1 lead. Omaha added a run in the 6th on Bell's 2nd homer of the season, a solo shot to left. RP Luke Hudson made his Omaha debut and contributed a throwing error that helped lead to 2 unearned runs in the 8th. Nelson closed the game out in the 9th. Omaha is 15-17 and 5 1/2 games back of first. Salt Lake RF Nick Gorneault was 2-4 with his 24th RBI but made a fielding error to help Omaha in the 4th. He's hitting .298. SS Erick Aybar was 0-4 to drop to .291, CF Reggie Willits was 1-4 to drop to .316, DH Jeff Mathis was 1-4 to drop to .348, 1B Kendry Morales was 0-4 to drop to .241 and Eylward was 1-2 with his first AAA homer of '06 to move to .312.

Game 3 of the 4 game set is Thursday. Pitchers: Top Angels prospect RH Jered Weaver (2-1, 3.34) vs. Omaha RH Kyle Snyder (0-1, 3.41).

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 9, Frisco 4

3B Gordon 0-1, K -- .310, left game in 3rd after fouling ball off foot in 1st, no big deal, I guess
RF Butler 1-5, 2B (10), K, 2 RS, E (4), OF assist at second -- .304
CF Lubanski 1-4, 2B (10), 2 K, picked off at third -- .290
SS Sanchez 2-4, BB, K, RBI (15), 2 RS -- .276
3B Keim 2-4, 2 RS -- .190
LF D. Brown 2-5, HR (1), 3 RBI, K -- .125
2B Sevilla 2-4, BB, RBI, RS -- .291
Tupman and Maier DNP

Cedeno 5 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 6 H, 5 BB, 2 K -- 5.06 ERA, way too many walks
Armitage 1 2/3 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 2 K, HRA -- BS, 1, W, 1-0, 6.75 ERA
Braun 2 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 K -- SV, 2, 2.84 ERA, great line

*** The Wranglers scored 6 runs in the final 3 innings to blow open a 3-3 tie and take the series with Frisco. Lubanski doubled to lead off the game, moved to third on a Sanchez single and then was picked off with Gordon at the plate. Great baserunning move there. Gordon struck out and I guess fouled a ball off his foot in the process but didn't leave until the 3rd so it was probably a precautionary move. Lubanski reached on a fielding error in his next AB and it scored a run to give Wichita a 1-0 lead but Frisco scored 2 off Cedeno in the 3rd thanks in part to Butler's error to take the lead. The game remained 2-1 Frisco into the 6th when Dee Brown cracked a 2-run homer after a Butler double to regain the lead for the Wranglers. RP Barry Armitage relieved Cedeno with 2 on and 1 out in the bottom of the 6th and allowed 1 run to score to tie the game. Wichita came back with 3 in the 7th on a Sanchez RBI single and Sanchez later scored on a wild pitch before Brown singled home the third run of the inning for a 6-3 lead. Armitage gave up another run in the 7th but Wichita put the game away with 3 in the 9th on another wild pitch that scored Sanchez and a 2-run single by Sevilla. Braun came in with 2 on and 0 out in the 8th and pitched 2 shutdown innings with 5 Ks to close it out. Wichita is 12-21. Frisco LF Jake Blalock was 2-2 to improve to .245 and DH Jim Fasano was 1-5 with his 3rd homer to drop to .311.

After taking 3 of 4 from Frisco, Wichita hosts a 5-game set with Springfield (20-11, AA Cardinals) starting Thursday night. Since Springfield leads the division, with a good run the Wranglers can make up some ground. Pitchers: Cards SP Stuart Pomeranz (3-0, 4.05) vs. Wichita SP Ryan Snare (2-1, 6.44).

High-A - High Desert: Mavs 11, Bakersfield 2

SS Falu 3-6, K, 2 RS, 3 SB! (7) -- .252
RF Valentin 2-4, 2 BB, RBI (13), K, 3 RS -- .318
1B Stodolka 2-4, 2 BB, 2B (13), RBI (16), RS -- .319
LF Galloway 2-5, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI (12), 2 K, RS -- .289
3B Lucas 2-5, 2B (10), 2 K, RS -- .288
2B Perez 2-5, 2 K, RS, E (8) -- .284
DH R. Brown 1-2, 4 BB!, 2 RBI (14), K, RS -- .283
CF Senreiso 1-5, HR (5), 3 RBI, 2 K, OF assist at home -- .250

Christensen 6 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 9 K -- W, 1-2, 3.60 ERA, nice K total
Plummer and Moore 3 IP scoreless relief

*** The game was tied at 2 after the first but it was all High Desert thereafter as the Mavs salvaged one game of the set. Blaze starter John Bannister walked 2 runs in in the 1st before striking out the side but Bakersfield got the runs back off Christensen in the bottom of the 1st to tie the game. The Mavs surged ahead for good in the 4th with 6 runs on a Valentin RBI single, Galloway RBI double, Brown RBI single and a 3-run homer by Senreiso for his 5th of the season. The Mavericks scored again in the 5th on another Galloway RBI double and scored their final 2 runs in the 9th on a wild pitch and then a Blaze fielding error. High Desert is 18-15 and still 1 1/2 games out of first. Blaze CF Jayce Tingler was 3-5 to move to .325, 3B Tim Hulett Jr. was 3-5 to move to .268 and RF Roberto Valiente was 1-4 to drop to .391.

The Mavs have Thursday off before starting a 3-game set at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (17-15, High-A Angels) Friday.

Low-A - Burlington: South Bend 9, Bees 5

RF Arroyo 2-4, RBI (10), RS -- .260
SS McConnell 1-4, RBI (10), K, RS, SF -- .194, inching toward Mendoza

Henninger 3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K, WP -- ND, 5.59 ERA
Damico 4 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- L, 0-4, 4.42 ERA

*** That 5-0 Burlington lead I mentioned yesterday didn't last much longer as South Bend scored 9 unanswered runs. The Bees scored 2 in the 1st on an RBI single by 1B John Lowen and a wild pitch. They added 3 in the 2nd on a bases-loaded beanball on 2B Valentino Arce that forced him from the game, a McConnell sac fly and Arroyo RBI single. Arce was reportedly back in the dugout and feeling OK by the end of the game. Henninger was moving along nicely until the 4th, when he gave up 5 straight singles and 2 runs before RP Yovany Damico came in. Damico gave up two more RBI singles before getting the first out and a sac fly tied the game at 5. South Bend took the lead in the 6th on an RBI double by CF Justin Upton and scored 3 times in the 8th off RP Cody Harkcom to seal the deal. The Bees had 5 base runners after the 2nd. The Bees are 12-21. Silver Hawks RP Kyle Wright went 2 2/3 IP of hitless relief with 6 Ks to get the win and improve to 2-0. LF Gregory Thomson was 3-5 to move to .321, Upton was 1-4 to move to .306, 3B Ricardo Sosa was 1-4 to drop to .455 and RF Leyson Septimo was 3-5 to improve to .265.

Thursday's series finale has been rained out. No makeup date announced yet. A 4-game home set with the Swing of the Quad Cities (15-18, Low-A Cardinals, goofy official team name) starts Friday.

Royals on the Farm 5/9

AAA - Omaha: Salt Lake 5, O-Royals 2

RF Allen 2-4, 2B (9), K -- .306
2B Gotay 1-3, HR (4), 2 RBI (12), BB, SB (3), E (2) -- .254
CF Ambres 1-1, 2B (6), 3 BB -- .183
SS Blanco 0-5, 2 K, E (11) -- .282, iron glove
3B Teahen 0-4, K -- .125
DH Aviles 1-3, BB, 2B (6) -- .268

Keppel 6 IP, 5 R (2 ER), 6 H, BB, K, WP, pickoff -- L, 2-3, 4.89 ERA
Baerlocher 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 5 K -- 2.25 ERA, nice outing out of the pen

*** Consistency was the key for Salt Lake as the Bees scored a run in 5 of the first 6 innings and got a good start from Kasey Olenberger to drop Omaha to its 6th straight loss. A Gotay error helped Salt Lake score its 3rd inning run and a passed ball on C Jared Price led to a run in the 4th. It was Blanco's turn to screw up in the 5th as he missed the ball on a pickoff attempt to help the Bees score another run. That's why only 2 of Keppel's 5 runs allowed were earned. Meanwhile, Omaha was impotent on offense despite getting runners on throughout the game. The O-Royals ended up leaving 9 on base. They finally broke through in the 8th as Gotay smacked a 2-run homer for his 4th of '06 but that was all she wrote for the O-Royals' offense as far as scoring went. Omaha is 14-17 and still 5 1/2 games back of Nashville despite the 6-game losing streak. Olenberger went 6 IP and gave up only 3 hits and 3 walks to move to 2-0 with a 2.91 ERA. Salt Lake SS Erick Aybar was 1-4 with his 12th SB to drop to .301, 1B Kendry Morales was 1-4 to move to .250, C Jeff Mathis (recently down from the Angels) was 2-4 to move to .368 and CF Reggie Willits was 1-2 to move to .319.

Game 2 of the 4-game set is Wednesday. Omaha LH J.P. Howell (3-2, 5.67) takes the mound.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 5, Frisco 3

3B Gordon 2-5, 2B (11), K, RS -- .312
RF Butler 2 2B (9), 2 RBI (17), BB, K, RS -- .308
LF/CF Lubanski 1-5, K -- .291
CF Maier 1-4, 2B (8), RS -- .289
SS Sanchez 1-5, 2 K, RS -- .269
C Tupman 0-5 -- .337
2B Sevilla 2-3, 2B, BB, K, RS -- .275
1B Kaaihue 2-4, 3 RBI (9) -- .173

Song 5 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- W, 2-3, 4.28 ERA
Nunez 1 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, K -- SV, 3, 3.86 ERA

*** The Wrangler offense put on an early surge and the bullpen held on for Song to get Wichita another win. Butler hit an RBI double in the 1st and Kaaihue added an RBI single in the 2nd to give Wichita a 2-0 lead. Kaaihue got back up in the 3rd and hit a 2-run single to make the lead 4-0 and Butler hit his 2nd RBI double in the 4th to give Wichita a 5-0 lead. Song let some runners on but allowed no runs through 5 before giving way to the pen. RPs Cody Smith and Thad Markray allowed runs in the 6th, 7th and 8th to cut the lead to 2 but Nunez shut the door for the win. Wichita is 11-21 and threatening to move out of the cellar in the TL North. Frisco RP Wes Littleton allowed only 1 hit over 3 IP to drop his ERA to 0.48, DH Jim Fasano was 1-5 to drop to .325 and 3B Travis Metcalf was 2-4 to move to .250.

The teams finish the set Wednesday. No announced pitchers yet.

High-A - High Desert: Bakersfield 3, Mavs 2

DH Stodolka 2-4, HR (4), 2 RBI (15), 2 K -- .310
LF Valentin 1-3, 2 K, CS -- .310
3B Lucas 0-3, 2 K -- .283
2B Perez 1-3, 2B (6), 2 K -- .277
C Donachie 0-3, 2 K, 2 CS against -- .297
* all but one Mavs batter (SS Irving Falu) had at least 2 K

Cota 7 IP, UER, 6 H, BB, 7 K, E (1) -- ND, 6.51 ERA, that's more like it
Rowe 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB -- BS, 2, L, 2-1, 5.28 ERA

*** The Mavs had only 4 hits as Blaze SP Eric Hurley K'd 15 batters en route to his 3rd win of the season. Despite Hurley's performance, the Mavs still led late before Rowe screwed up a good start from Luis Cota. Stodolka singled home a run in the 1st to put the Mavericks up early but the Blaze took advantage of an error on HD CF Ransel Melgarejo to match the run in the bottom of the 1st. Stodolka smashed his 4th homer in the 4th to put High Desert up, 2-1, and Cota locked down through 7 as the contest settled into a pitchers' duel. He gave up 2 hits and made a throwing error in the 7th to load the bases with 0 out but got out of the jam, including 2 Ks and the third out on a caught stealing at home. RP Adam Rowe came in to pitch the 8th and promptly gave up a single, triple and sac fly to blow the lead. He gave up a double and walk before getting mercifully pulled and RP Gabe DeHoyos got the remaining 2 outs in short order. The Mavs went down in order in the 9th. High Desert is 17-15 and now 1 1/2 games out of first. Hurley went 8 IP to move to 3-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.06. He had 0 walks to go along with his 15 Ks. Blaze CF Jayce Tingler was 2-4 to move to .312, DH Ben Harrison was 2-4 to move to .284 and LF Roberto Valiente was 2-3 to move to .421.

The teams wrap up the series Wednesday as High Desert tries to avert the sweep. Pitchers: Mavs LH Danny Christensen vs. Bakersfield RH John Bannister.

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 2, South Bend 0

DH Howell 2-4, K -- .211
1B Vega 2-4 -- .205
SS McConnell 1-3, BB, RBI (9), CS -- .191
C Thibault 0-4, K -- .245
3B Lisson 1-3, 2B (9), BB, K, SB (6) -- .194

Penn 6 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K -- W, 1-1, 4.66 ERA, first pro win, in style
Hayes and de la Vara 3 IP hitless relief, de la Vara's 3rd save

*** Three Bees pitchers led by SP Michael Penn stifled the Silver Hawks and the Bees scraped enough offense together to get the victory. McConnell's 3rd inning RBI single put the Bees up, 1-0, and they added a run in the 6th on a Lisson double and steal of third followed by a wild pitch that allowed him to score. South Bend threatened several times but couldn't break through. In the 6th, the Silver Hawks got a 2-out 2B from 3B Steve Mena and DH Ricardo Sosa tried to score from 1st but was cut down at the plate by RF Carlos Arroyo via cut off man 2B Josh Johnson. South Bend wouldn't get another base runner. Burlington is 12-20 and 6 games out of first. Silver Hawks CF Justin Upton was 1-4 to drop to .309 and Sosa was 2-3 with a double to move to .571.

The series continues this morning and the Bees are up, 5-0, in the 4th. Starters: Bees RH David Henninger (1-2, 4.50) against RH Ramon Sanchez (0-6, 9.95). Looks like Sanchez's luck is continuing.

Royals on the Farm 5/8

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 13, O-Royals 3

C Phillips 2-4, RS, PB (4) -- .261
2B Gotay 0-5, K -- .252
RF Allen 1-4, 2B (8), RBI (27), RS, E (3) -- .299
3B Teahen 1-4, 2B, RS
SS Blanco 1-3, 2B, HBP, E (10) -- .296

Bass 3 IP, 8 R (7 ER), 9 H, 2 BB, K, 3 HRA -- L, 1-4, 5.79 ERA
Brooks and Elder 5 IP gas cans

*** Round Rock absolutely lit Bass up with 3 in the 2nd and 5 runs on 3 homers in the 3rd. The score was 10-0 in the 7th before Omaha finally got on the board with Teahen doubling and scoring on a throwing error. The O-Royals added 2 runs in the 8th on an RBI double by Allen and RBI single by DH Mike Aviles but the Express tacked on 3 more off RP Dave Elder that inning to finish the job. Omaha is 14-16 with a 5-game losing streak rolling and still 5 1/2 games back of first. Round Rock starter Jason Hirsh allowed an unearned run on 5 hits with 5 Ks over 7 IP to improve to 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA. Former Omaha pitcher Justin Huisman was touched up for 2 runs in an IP to move his ERA back up to 10.12. Express CF Charlton Jimerson was 3-5 with his 10th double to improve to .302, DH Mike Rodriguez was 1-5 to drop to .366 and 3B Cody Ransom was 3-5 with 6 RBI to improve to .254.

A 4-game home set with the Salt Lake Bees (19-11, AAA Angels) starts Tuesday. Pitchers: RH Steven Shell (0-0, 2.00) vs. Omaha RH Bobby Keppel (2-2, 5.20). P Joe Mays reportedly refused his assignment to Omaha and will likely be released. RP Luke Hudson is set to join the team Tuesday.

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 6, Frisco 1

3B Gordon 1-4, 2B (10), RBI (17), SB (8), HBP -- .309
RF Butler 0-5 -- .302
LF Lubanski 2-5, 2 2B (9), 3 RBI (13), K -- .295
SS Sanchez 3-4, BB, 2B, RBI (14), K, RS, SB (2) -- .272
CF Maier 1-5, K -- .290
C Tupman 2-4, K, RS, plus picked off a runner -- .359, I say switch him and Omaha C Jared Price around.
2B Sevilla 2-4, 2B, K, 2 RS -- .250

Middleton 7 IP, ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 6 K -- W, 2-2, 3.46 ERA
Markray 2 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, BB, K -- 2.11 ERA

*** Frisco scored first but it was all Wranglers after that as Wichita finally got to double digits in wins. The Rough Riders strung together 2 hits and a sac fly to score a run in the 2nd but the Wranglers got it back in the 3rd on a Sanchez RBI single and took the lead with 3 in the 4th on a 2-run double by Lubanski, who is starting to rake, and a bases-loaded HBP by Gordon. Wichita added runs in the 7th and 8th on a fielding error on a Gordon hit to short that allowed Sanchez to score and another Lubanski RBI double. Middleton had a great start to get back to .500 at 2-2 and lowered his ERA to 3.46. Wichita is 10-21. Frisco DH Anthony Webster was 3-4 to move to .259 and 1B Nate Gold was 2-4 to move to .257.

Game 3 of the series is Tuesday. No announced starters yet.

High-A - High Desert: Bakersfield 4, Mavs 3

C Donachie 3-3, 2B, HR (1), RBI (5), BB, picked off a runner -- .310, hitting like '05
1B Stodolka 1-4, HR (3), 2 RBI (13), K, 2 E (5) -- .301
LF Melgarejo 0-3, 2 BB, SB (7) -- .300
3B Lucas 0-3 -- .291

Buckner 6 IP, UER, 4 H, 6 BB, 4 K -- ND, 2.50 ERA, too many walks
Moore 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H -- BS, 2, L, 0-1, 2.25 ERA

*** Buckner was set for the win despite 6 walks over 6 IP but the bullpen blew it in the 8th and 9th. Donachie hit his 1st '06 homer in the 2nd to start the scoring and the Mavs added 2 in the 4th on Stodolka's 3rd homer, a 2-run shot to left. A Buckner error preceded him walking in a run to get the Blaze a run in the 5th but the Mavs held the 3-1 lead into the 8th. Moore gave up an RBI single to the first batter he faced in the 8th but got out of the inning with no further damage and a 1-run lead. Moore gave up a leadoff double and then a 1-out, 2-run walkoff homer to Blaze RF Steve Murphy to end the game in the 9th. High Desert is 17-14 and 1/2 a game out of first. Bakersfield CF Jayce Tingler was 2-4 to move to .305 and C Emerson Frostad was 2-3 to improve to .300.

The teams play again Tuesday night. Pitchers: Mavs RH Luis Cota (1-3, 8.01) vs. Bakersfield RH Eric Hurley, who held the Mavs pretty much in check last week in a losing effort.

Low-A - Burlington: South Bend 5, Bees 3

2B Johnson 2-4, RBI, RS -- .261
SS McConnell 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI (8), K -- .187, first A-ball homer
DH Thibault 1-4 -- .255
CF Duarte 1-3, K, RS, SB (6) -- .250

Kniginyzky 6 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 HRA, 2 WP -- L, 2-2, 3.56 ERA
Oliveros 2 IP, ER, 4 H -- 3.55 ERA, back in pen

*** One inning did in Kniginyzky as the Bees blew a 3-0 lead in the loss. Johnson hit an RBI single in the 3rd to put the Bees up and they added 2 in the 6th on McConnell's 2-run longball for his 1st of the season. Kniginyzky was cruising with a 3-hitter through 5 even though walks and wild pitches put him in some tight spots. His luck ran out in the 6th as two singles and a 3-run homer tied the game and South Bend moved ahead on another homer that was back-to-back with the 3-run shot to give the Silver Hawks a 4-3 lead. South Bend tacked on an RBI single in the 8th and Burlington made the last 11 outs in a row to end the game. Burlington is 11-20. 2005 top pick Justin Upton was 1-4 in CF for South Bend to drop to .312 on the season. 3B Ricardo Sosa was 2-4 with his 1st triple and homer to move to .500 and LF Gregory Thomson was 3-4 to move to .307.

Game 2 of the series is tonight. Pitchers: Bees RH Michael Penn (0-1, 12.27) vs. South Bend RH Anthony Cupps (1-2, 10.52).

Royals on the Farm 5/6 and 5/7

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 5, O-Royals 4 (Sat.)

RF Allen 1-3, HR (5), 2 RBI (26), BB, K, CS, E (2) -- .312
2B Gotay 0-2, BB, RS, SB, HBP -- .270
LF Bell 1-3, HR (1), RBI, HBP, OF assist at second -- .186
CF Ambres 1-4, RBI -- .167
SS Blanco 0-4, K -- .293

Snyder 8 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 K -- ND, 3.41 ERA

*** Omaha finally took a lead in the game in the 9th but blew it later that inning to drop to .500. Round Rock scored 2 off Snyder in the 2nd but cut the lead in half in the 5th on Bell's solo homer. Express 3B Joe McEwing got the run back with an RBI single in the bottom of the 5th but Omaha tied the game in the 6th on a 2-out, 2-run shot to left by Allen (his 5th). Snyder cruised through the 6th, 7th and 8th and a 2-out RBI single by Ambres in the 9th set Snyder up for the win with a 4-3 Omaha lead. RP Frank Brooks came on to pitch the 9th and walked the bases loaded with a strikeout mixed in before RP Dave Elder was called upon. Elder struck out his first batter but then gave up a 2-run single to Express C Humberto Quintero to end the game. Omaha was 14-14 with the loss, which was the O-Royals 3rd 1-run loss in a row. Round Rock CF Charlton Jimerson was 1-4 to drop to .300, McEwing was 1-4 with his 11th RBI to drop to .269 and Quintero was 3-4 to move to .306.

Round Rock 4, O-Royals 0 (Sun.)

CF Ambres 1-3, 2 K, CS -- .172
SS Blanco 1-3, K -- .295
3B Aviles 1-3, CS -- .267, that's all the team's hits, folks -- and 2 were wiped out by caught stealing
2B Gotay 0-3, BB -- .263
RF Allen 0-4, K -- .301

Bernero 6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 3 K -- L, 1-1, 3.60 ERA, tough loss
Nelson 2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K -- 2.51 ERA

*** Express P Chris Baker shut the O-Royals down with the help of three teammates and Omaha dropped its 4th straight game. Bernero took a perfect game into the 5th before it was broken up and his shutout was broken up with 2 Express runs in the 6th. Omaha bumbled through their half of the 5th as Aviles led off with a single and was caught stealing, LF Rick Bell walked, Ambres singled Bell to third then was picked off at 1st and then DH Jared Price flew out to end the threat. Bad inning. RP Joe Nelson gave up a 2-run homer in the 7th to make the score 4-0 Round Rock. Omaha got two 1-out walks in the 9th but didn't turn them into anything. Omaha is 14-15 and 5 1/2 back of first-place Nashville. Baker scattered 3 hits and a walk over 6 IP to move to 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA. Express DH Mike Rodriguez was 1-3 to drop to .389 and 1B Hector Gimenez was 2-3 with his 1st homer to move to .258.

The teams finish the series Monday as Round Rock smells a sweep and has a 9-game winning streak to boot. Pitchers: Omaha RH Brian Bass (1-3, 3.96) vs. RH Jason Hirsh (1-2, 4.83).

AA - Wichita: Wranglers 6, Midland 3 (Sat.)

3B Gordon 0-5, K -- .304
DH Butler 2-4, K, RS -- .314
LF Lubanski 3-5, 2B (7), HR (4), 2 RBI (10), K -- .304, on fire
SS Sanchez 1-5, RBI (13), K -- .248
CF Maier 2-4, 2B (7), K -- .298
C Tupman 2-3, BB, K, RBI (11), 2 RS -- .351

Snare 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 6 K, E (1) -- ND, 6.44 ERA
Cody Smith 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 4 K -- W, 1-0, 2.16 ERA

*** Lubanski lit it up to lead a late Wichita rally for the team's 9th win. Midland got a homer and RBI double in the 3rd for a 3-0 lead that could have been worse had a couple plays gone differently in the inning. The Wranglers stayed scoreless into the 6th when Lubanski hit a solo homer to get Wichita on the scoreboard. Cody Smith gave up a leadoff triple in the 7th but worked out of the jam without any damage and Wichita scored again in the 8th on a Sanchez RBI ground out after a Tupman leadoff walk and a 1-out double by Lubanski. Midland led, 3-2, into the 9th when, with 2 out and Butler at 1st, IF Damaso Espino singled, Tupman singled home Butler to tie the game, PH Kila Kaaihue singled home 2 runs to break the tie and Lubanski singled home a run to give Wichita a 6-3 lead off RP Alex Santos. Smith sat the RockHounds down quietly in the bottom of the 9th to end the game. Wichita moved to 9-20. Midland SP Ray Aguilar allowed only 1 ER on 4 H and a walk over 6 1/3 IP to drop his ERA to 3.48 but got a no-decision. C Kurt Suzuki was 2-5 with a triple and homer to move to .330, CF Jason Perry was 2-4 to move to .407 and 1B Vasili Spanos was 1-3 with his 20th RBI to move to .306.

Frisco 6, Wranglers 5 (10) (Sun.)

3B Gordon 2-4, 2B (9), HR (7), 2 RBI (16), BB, K -- .311
RF Butler 1-3, 2 BB, RS -- .314
LF Lubanski 0-5, K -- .291, cooled off for one day
SS Sanchez 2-5, 2 RS -- .255
CF Maier 1-5, 3 K, RS, E (2) -- .294

Herndon 6 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 6 H, BB, 2 K -- ND, 4.22 ERA
Braun 2 IP, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- L, 1-4, 3.18 ERA

*** Wichita blew a late lead and a late comeback wasn't in the cards as Frisco (AA Rangers) took the series opener. Lubanski flew out with the bases loaded and 2 out in the 2nd but Wichita broke into the scoring column in the 4th on an RBI single by C Espino and an RBI ground out by 2B Walter Sevilla for a 2-0 lead. Gordon cranked a 2-run homer in the 5th to make the lead 4-0 and Herndon kept the Rough Riders in check through 6 IP. He gave up 2 singles to start the 7th with both runners getting an extra base on the latter hit on a throwing error by Maier. RP Derrick DePriest came in and traded outs to allow both runners to score but Wichita came out of the inning with a 4-2 lead. DePriest gave up a solo shot to start the 8th and RP Nate Hoelscher gave up 2 runs later in the inning to give Frisco a 5-4 lead before RP Ryan Braun got out of the inning without further damage. Gordon came through with an RBI double to tie the game as two Frisco errors helped out and Gordon got to third with 0 out. Dee Brown grounded out and Butler grounded into a fielder's choice out as Gordon was cut down at home and Maier flied out to end the threat. Braun gave up 3 straight hits in the 10th and Frisco pushed the winning run across. Wichita is 9-21. Frisco 1B Jim Fasano was 1-5 with a double to drop to .343, RF Luke Grayson was 3-5 to move to .298 and DH Anthony Webster was 4-4 to move to .234.

The teams continue their set Monday. No announced starters yet.

High-A - High Desert: Modesto 7, Mavs 5 (Sat.)

1B Stodolka 2-4, HR (2), 2 RBI (10), K, E (3) -- .320
C Donachie 2-4 -- .279
CF Melgarejo 0-3, 2 BB, K, RS -- .308
LF Galloway 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI (10), RS -- .298
3B Valentin 1-4 -- .299
RF Senreiso 2 OF assists

Hicklen 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, K, WP -- L, 0-5, 9.00 ERA, not working well at high-A
Moore 1 2/3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K -- 1.17 ERA

*** Modesto blew the game open in the 5th and coasted to the win to set themselves up for a potential sweep Sunday. A throwing error by Mavs 2B Wilver Perez helped the Nuts score a run in the 1st and Modesto added a run in the 3rd off Hicklen. Stodolka went solo for his 2nd career homer in the 4th but Modesto got a 3-run homer from CF Matthew Miller in the 5th to take a 5-1 lead. Perez singled home a run in the 7th but Miller blasted a 2-run shot in the 8th to make the score 7-2 Nuts. Michael Galloway hit a 2-run triple in the 8th and Stodolka singled him home to cut the lead to 7-5 with only 1 out but Donachie grounded into a double play to thwart the rally. High Desert went down without a fight in the 9th to end it. The Mavs were 16-13 and made 3 errors in the loss. Modesto 2B Corey Wimberly was 3-5 and stole his 17th base to improve to .358, Miller was 3-4 with 2 homers and 7 RBI to move his season totals to 6 and 32 and his BA to .345 and 3B Anthony Granato was 1-5 to drop to .357.

Mavs 9, Modesto 6 (Sun.)

1B Stodolka 0-4, RBI (11), 2 K -- .304
SS Falu 2-5, 2 RBI (10), RS -- .248
LF Valentin 2-4, 2B, RBI (12), HBP -- .309
CF Senreiso 2-4, HR (4), RBI, 2 RS -- .255
3B Lucas 3-4, 2 2B (9), 2 RBI (16), 2 RS -- .300
2B Perez 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI (10), K, RS -- .275

Crist 4 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 0 K, 2 HRA -- ND, 4.50 ERA
Weeden 4 IP, ER, H, 2 BB, 2 K -- W, 4-0, 4.09 ERA
DeHoyos IP, 0 ER, H, 0 BB, K, WP -- SV, 6, 1.42 ERA

*** High Desert got 2 key rallies to stay away from the sweep. Modesto RF Doc Brooks cracked a 2-run homer in the 1st to start a run of scoring in the first 5 innings for the Nuts. A Stodolka fielder's choice in the 1st drove a run home and, after 2 hit batsmen got another run home for the Nuts in the 2nd, Perez doubled home 2 runs and Valentin doubled home another in the 2nd to give the Mavs a 4-3 lead. Miller hit his 7th homer for Modesto in the 3rd to tie the game but the Mavs moved back ahead that inning on Senreiso's solo homer. The shootout continued as the Nuts scored in the 4th and 5th, including Brooks' second homer of the game, for a 6-5 Nuts lead. Lucas hit a 2-run double in the 5th to put the Mavs up for good and High Desert scored twice in the 8th on a Falu 2-run single. Weeden and DeHoyos held Modesto down to secure the win. The Mavs are 17-13 and in a 3-way tie for first. Wimberly was 2-5 with his 18th steal to improve to .360, Miller was 1-5 with his 32nd RBI to drop to .331 and Brooks was 2-3 with his 4th and 5th homers to move to .253.

High Desert starts a 3-game set at the Bakersfield Blaze (12-18, High-A Rangers) Monday. No announced pitchers.

Low-A - Burlington: Bees 8, West Michigan 1 (Sat.)

2B Johnson 2-5, RBI, 2 RS -- .246
SS McConnell 2-4, K, 2 RS -- .184
RF Arroyo 2-4, 3 RBI (9), CS -- .272
1B Vega 2-4, 2 2B, K, 2 RS -- .197
CF Duarte 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, 2 RS, SB (5) -- .238

Rosa 7 IP, ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 4 K -- W, 2-3, 2.64 ERA, looking good
Harkcom 2 IP, 0 ER, H, BB, 2 K -- 2.77 ERA

*** Burlington jumped on Whitecaps SP Erik Averill for 4 runs in the 1st 2 innings and Bees starter Carlos Rosa took it from there. DH John Lowen hit a sac fly and Arroyo singled home a run for a 2-0 Bees lead in the 1st and Duarte and LF Antonio Sabatini hit RBI singles in the 2nd for a 4-0 lead. Rosa gave up West Michigan's only run in the 4th but Burlington struck back with 3 in the 5th on RBI singles by Josh Johnson, McConnell and Arroyo for a 7-1 lead. The Bees wrapped up the scoring with 1 in the 6th on a Duarte RBI double. The Bees were 10-19 with the win. Whitecaps CF Cameron Maybin was 1-4 to drop to .330 and C Dusty Ryan was 2-4 to move to .361.

Bees 4, West Michigan 2 (Sun.)

DH Thibault 1-4, 2B, RBI (15), K -- .256
1B Lowen 1-4, 2B, RBI (13), 3 K -- .246
C Howell 2-3, RBI, K -- .194
CF Duarte 1-1, 2B, RBI -- .247

Nicoll 5 2/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 3 H, BB, 7 K -- W, 2-2, 2.14 ERA
Schambough and de la Vara 3 1/3 IP scoreless relief

*** Burlington turned an 8-game losing streak into a 2-game winning streak and a split of the 4-game series with West Michigan as a 3-run inning propelled them to a narrow win Sunday. RBI doubles from Thibault and Lowen and a Howell RBI single gave Burlington a 3-0 lead in the 4th but West Michigan got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Maybin singled home a run in the 6th to cut the Bees' lead to 1 but Burlington got some insurance in the 9th on a Duarte RBI double. A double-play ball ended the game in the bottom of the 9th. The Bees are 11-19 and 6 games back of first. Whitecaps SP Sandy Vasquez took the loss to drop to 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA. Maybin was 1-3 with a walk and his 19th RBI to stay at .330. He also stole his 6th base. 2B William Rhymes was 1-3 to move to .300.

The Bees move on to a 4-game set at the South Bend Silver Hawks (13-17, Low-A D'Backs) Monday. Pitchers: Bees RH Matt Kniginyzky (2-1, 3.16) vs. RH Eddie Baeza (2-2, 3.12).

Royals on the Farm 5/5

AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 4, O-Royals 3

2B Gotay 2-4 -- .274
SS Blanco 0-3 -- .307
DH Price 1-3, HR (2), 2 RBI (5), K -- .200
RF Allen 1-4, 2B, RBI (24), E (1) -- .311
CF Ambres 1-3, RS, E (2), OF assist at home -- .163
3B Aviles 1-3, E (9) -- .265

Yarnall 5 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 7 H, 0 BB, 3 K -- ND, 3.38 ERA
Baerlocher 3 IP, ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 3.60 ERA

*** A 6th inning run gave the Express a late lead they held on to for the series opening win. Consecutive doubles by C Paul Phillips and Allen in the 1st gave Omaha a quick 1-0 lead but Yarnall gave up 3 straight singles to start Round Rock's half of the inning and allow the Express to tie it. Express 3B Joe McEwing doubled home a run in the 3rd and Aviles' 9th error in the 4th helped Round Rock score again to take a 3-1 lead. Price hammered a 2-run homer for his 2nd of 2006 in the 5th to tie the game once more but a 2-out double by Round Rock RF Brian Gordon in the 6th scored the go-ahead run. The O-Royals went down in order in the 7th, 8th and 9th to end the game. Omaha is 14-13 and 5 games back of first. Express RP Justin Huisman pitched an inning of perfect relief to drop his ERA to 9.31. McEwing was 2-4 to move to .270, CF Charlton Jimerson was 4-4 with a double to move to .302 and DH Alan Zinter was 1-4 to drop to .326.

The teams continue the series tonight. Pitchers: Omaha RH Kyle Snyder (0-1, 3.43) vs. RH Roberto Giron (2-2, 6.38). In other news, 3B Mark Teahen is on his way to Omaha but according to the site probably won't play until Sunday. Guiel got the call to KC. According to Omaha's site, SP Joe Mays has been asked to accept an option to Omaha. Mays, who is 0-4 with a 10.27 ERA, has 3 days to decide.

AA - Wichita: Midland 5, Wranglers 2

3B Gordon 0-4, RBI (14), CS, picked off, E (3) -- .318
RF Butler 1-4, 2 K -- .307
LF Lubanski 2-3, BB, 2 RS -- .290, inching closer to .300
CF Maier 1-4, 2B (6), K -- .291
SS Sanchez 1-4, 2 K, picked off -- .250
DH D. Brown 1-4, RBI -- .133
C Tupman 0-3, BB, K -- .338

Cedeno 4 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 4 H, 5 BB, 4 K, 2 WP -- L, 0-3, 5.40 ERA, WALKS!

*** A 3-run 4th put Midland ahead and the RockHounds didn't let up to get another win over the Wranglers. Dee Brown hit an RBI ground out in the 1st to put Wichita up early and the Wranglers had 2 on with 0 out in the 3rd but Sanchez struck out on a foul bunt, Gordon hit into a force out and then was picked off. Cedeno struggled through the first 2 innings but kept Midland scoreless into the 4th when a Gordon error allowed the RockHounds' first run to score and C Kurt Suzuki singled home 2 runs with the bases loaded and 2 out to give Midland a 3-1 lead. RP John Gragg III gave up another run in the 5th but Wichita got the run back in the 6th on an RBI ground out by Gordon. Gragg gave up another run in the 6th to give Midland a 5-2 lead and the only offense Wichita generated thereafter was a 2-out double in the 9th by Maier. Wichita is 8-20. Midland SP Benjamin Fritz allowed only 1 ER over 6 IP in moving to 1-2 with a 3.82 ERA. Midland SS Ronnie Merrill Jr. was 2-3 to move to .266, CF Jason Perry was 1-3 with a triple to drop to .402 and Suzuki was 1-4 to drop to .325. The RockHounds won despite leaving 12 runners on base.

The teams finish the series tonight. Pitchers: Wichita SP Ryan Snare (2-1, 6.94) vs. Midland SP Ray Aguilar (2-1, 4.01).

High-A - High Desert: Modesto 4, Mavs 1

DH Stodolka 0-2, 2 BB, 2 E (3) -- .310
1B R. Brown 1-4, 2B (7), K -- .302
LF Valentin 0-4, K -- .301
CF Senreiso 1-3, HR (3), RBI (5) -- .222
3B Lucas 0-3, K -- .281

Christensen 5 IP, ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 5 K -- L, 0-2, 3.71 ERA

*** The Mavs managed only 1 hit and made 3 errors in the loss to Modesto. The Nuts got on the board first with a solo homer in the 4th and, as High Desert was 1-hit through the 5th but got two fruitless hits in the 6th, Modesto added a run in the 7th for a 2-0 lead. Senreiso hit a solo homer in the 7th to break up the shutout but his was the last Mav hit. High Desert is 16-12 and tied for the division lead with Inland Empire. Modesto SP Ching-Lung Lo went 7 IP and gave up only an ER on 4 hits and a walk to move to 3-0 with a 4.50 ERA. Two relievers went 2 IP of hitless relief for the Nuts. Nuts C Neil Wilson was 3-4 to improve to .328, 3B Anthony Granato was 2-5 to move to .444, 2B Corey Wimberly was 2-4 to move to .346 and CF Matthew Miller was 2-5 to move to .330.

The series continues tonight. Pitchers: RH Patrick Hicklen goes for the Mavs vs. Modesto RH Humberto Cardenas.

Low-A - Burlington: West Michigan 3, Bees 2

CF Duarte 2-3, BB, 2B, RBI -- .211
1B Vega 2-4, RBI (11), RS, K -- .181
SS McConnell 0-3, 2 K -- .169
C Thibault 0-3, BB -- .256

Henninger 4 1/3 IP, 3 R (2 ER), 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K -- L, 1-2, 4.50 ERA
De la vara and Schambough 3 2/3 IP scoreless relief

*** The Bees' struggles continued as the Whitecaps took the early lead and held on for the win. West Michigan DH Cameron Maybin singled home a run in the 1st but Burlington tied the game in the 5th on an RBI double by Duarte, who was thrown out at third on the play in a baserunning mistake that would prove costly. West Michigan struck back with 2 in the 5th to regain the lead and the Bees got 2 runners on in the 7th but could make nothing of it. The Bees' bullpen held the score at 3-1 into the 9th, when PH Carlos Arroyo hit a 1-out triple that was followed by an RBI single by Vega to cut the lead to 3-2. Duarte flied out and PH John Lowen struck out to end the game. Burlington is 9-19 and in the midst of an 8-game losing streak. Whitecaps SP Ramon Garcia allowed only 1 ER with 9 K over 6 IP to improve to 5-1 with a 1.46 ERA. RP Orlando Perdomo picked up his 10th save despite giving up a run in the 9th to bump his ERA to 2.08. Maybin was 1-3 with his 18th RBI to move to .333.

Game 3 of the series is going on now and things are looking good for the Bees through 6 1/2. SPs were Bees RH Carlos Rosa (1-3, 3.04) and WM LH Erick Averill.

Royals on the Farm 5/4

AAA - Omaha: Albuquerque 9, O-Royals 8

RF Allen 4-5, 2 3B (4), 4 RBI (23), RS, CS -- .314
CF Guiel 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K, 2 RS, HBP -- .262
3B Aviles 2-4, K, RS -- .262
1B Alejandro Prieto 2-5, HR (1), RBI (1), 2 K, 2 RS, 2 E (2) -- .250
2B Gotay 1-5, K, RS -- .266
SS Blanco 1-4, 2B, K -- .318
LF Ambres 0-4, 2 K -- .157

Keppel 6 IP, 5 ER, 8 H, BB, K, 3 HRA! -- ND, 5.20 ERA
Brooks 2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, BB, 2 K -- BS, 1, 4.05 ERA
Nelson 1/3 IP, 2 R (1 ER), H, 2 BB, K -- L, 1-1, BS, 1, 1.46 ERA

*** Shoddy defense in the 9th and some shaky relief pitching killed Omaha Thursday in a see-saw loss to the Isotopes to split the 4-game set. Keppel got run support at the start as the Royals rallied with 2 outs and got a 2-run double from DH Rick Bell for a 2-0 lead on old Royals buddy Chris George, who left after the 1st with an apparent injury. Keppel gave up a solo homer in the 4th to cut the Omaha lead in half but the Royals got the run back in the 6th on an Allen RBI triple. Keppel got blistered in the 6th as he gave up a 3-run homer and then a solo homer but stayed in the game as the Isotopes took a 5-3 lead. Omaha responded with 4 in the 7th to regain the lead as C Jared Price hit an RBI double and, with 2 out and the bases loaded, Allen came through again with a bases-clearing triple to make the score 7-5 O-Royals. RP Frank Brooks came in for the bottom of the 7th and, with 2 out, gave up a walk, single and 2-run double to allow Albuquerque to tie the game. Prieto put the Royals back ahead in the 9th with a solo homer for his 1st of the year since taking over 1B for Huber. RP Joe Nelson came in to try and shut the door but walked the leadoff batter and a passed ball on Price gave the runner second. A sac bunt attempt resulted in a Prieto missed catch error that allowed the tying run to score. Nelson hit the next batter, intentionally walked the ensuing batter to load the bases and got a strike out before Albuquerque 3B Scott Seabol hit a walk-off single to end the game. Omaha is 14-12 and now 4 1/2 games back of first-place Nashville. George is staying true to his KC roots with a 7.65 ERA. Albuquerque RP Buddy Carlyle pitched 3 hitless innings in relief to drop his ERA to 2.50, DH Jason Wood was 3-4 with his 5th homer and 5 RBI to move to .319, LF Mike Kinkade was 2-4 to move to .318 and RF Mark Little was 1-2 with 3 RS to move to .333.

Omaha moves on to a 4-game set at Round Rock (15-10, AAA Astros) starting tonight. Round Rock is on a 6-game win streak.SP Ed Yarnall (0-0, 3.27) takes the mound for Omaha in a spot start tonight. It was supposed to be J.P. Howell's start but he's skipping a start because of "shoulder stiffness".

AA - Wichita: Midland 4, Wranglers 3

3B Gordon 2-4, 2 K -- .330
RF Butler 1-2, BB, HBP -- .309
LF Lubanski 1-5, 3 K -- .279, triple sombrero
SS Sanchez 1-5, RBI (12), RS -- .250
CF Maier 2-4, BB, 2B, RBI (21), RS -- .292
DH D. Brown 0-4, K -- .115
C Espino 2-4 -- .289
The Wranglers turned 4 double plays.

Song 3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K, HRA -- L, 1-3, 5.02 ERA
Markray and Hoelscher 3 IP scoreless relief
Nunez 2 IP, ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 4 K -- 4.26 ERA

*** A lackluster start by Song and Wichita's inability to generate many runs resulted in yet another Wrangler loss Thursday. Song gave up a 2-run homer to 2B Kevin Melillo in the 2nd but the Wranglers got a run back on an RBI ground out by Sanchez in the 3rd. Song gave up an RBI single before getting pulled without getting an out in the 4th as Midland took a 3-1 lead. Markray and Hoelscher got the job done for 3 innings in relief and Wichita got an RBI triple from 2B Walter Sevilla in the 7th to cut the lead back to 1. Nunez came in for the 7th and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch with 2 outs to give Midland a needed insurance run as Wichita scored in the 8th on a Maier RBI double. 1B Kila Kaaihue struck out with 2 in scoring position to end the inning. The Wranglers got 2 on with 1 out in the 9th but a Sanchez double play ball ended the game. Wichita is 8-19. SP Jason Windsor gave up 1 ER over 5 IP to move to 4-1 with a 2.97 ERA. Midland CF Jason Perry was 0-3 to drop to .405, C Kurt Suzuki was 0-4 to drop to .329 and 1B Vasili Spanos was 2-2 to improve to .308.

The teams continue their series tonight. Pitchers: Wichita SP Juan Cedeno (0-2, 5.96) vs. Midland's Benjamin Fritz (0-2, 4.33).

High-A - High Desert: off day

The Mavs start a 3-game home set with Modesto tonight. No announced pitchers.

Low-A - Burlington: West Michigan 7, Bees 3

SS McConnell 2-4, K, RS -- .175
DH Arce 2-3, K -- .200
C Thibault 0-3, BB, K, RS -- .265
3B Lisson 0-4, K, RBI (22) -- .202

Penn 2 2/3 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, BB, 2 K -- L, 0-1, 12.27 ERA
Damico 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K -- 5.02 ERA
Hayes 2 IP, 0 ER, H, K -- 3.86 ERA

*** Penn had a poor first start for the Bees and the Burlington offense bookended 3 runs to drop a 7th straight game. Lisson hit an RBI ground out in the 1st to score 2B Joshua Johnson and give Burlington a 1-0 lead. The Whitecaps struck back with 3 in the 1st on 4 straight 2-out hits to grab a lead they wouldn't lose. West Michigan added 2 in the 3rd to chase Penn and scored 2 in the 5th off Damico to make the score 7-1. Meanwhile, the Bees went scoreless until the 9th when PH John Lowen hit an RBI single and 1B Miguel Vega hit a sac fly to bring in another run before CF Jose Duarte popped out to end the game. The Bees are 9-18. Manager Jim Gabella was ejected in the 2nd. West Michigan starter Lucas French gave up only 1 unearned run over 7 IP with 6 Ks to move to 4-1 with a 2.75 ERA. C Dusty Ryan was 3-4 with 3 RBI to move to .375, CF Cameron Maybin was 2-4 to move to .333 and DH Ryan Roberson was 2-4 with 3 RBI to improve to .269.

Game 2 of the 4-game set is tonight. Pitchers: Bees RH David Henninger (1-1, 4.57) vs. LH Ramon Garcia (4-1, 1.45).