1-2 with a rainout in Wilmington on Friday for the Royals affiliates.
HR Roll Call: Jorge Bonifacio (5)
BP KC Hitter of the Day – Jorge Bonifacio 3-5, HR, 2R, 4 RBI
BP KC Pitcher of the Day Matt Strahm 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 8-3 GO-FO, 89 pitches/65 strikes
The Royals moved Cheslor Cuthbert up to the big league team with a corresponding move to be made before Saturday afternoon’s game in Cleveland. Starter Kyle Zimmer is on the docket Saturday for a rehab start in Wilmington.
Iowa Cubs 13 Omaha Storm Chasers 7
The Chasers lost a slugfest to the Cubs in the first game of their series as the two teams combined for 35 hits. The Royals affiliate did plenty of hitting themselves but a seven run 6th inning for Iowa was what separated the clubs. It was an inning that featured nine hits, four of which went for extra bases, including a two run home run for Wilson Contreras. Starter John Lannan and reliever Mark Peterson gave up 12 runs in their combined seven and two-thirds innings, striking out just two in that time and giving up three home runs. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio had another big night at the plate going 3 for 5 with a home run and four RBI.
Angel Franco 3-4, 2-3b, R, RBI
Brett Eibner 2-5, 2R, 2b, RBI
Rey Fuentes 3-5, RBI, SB (3)
NW Arkansas Naturals 8 Springfield Cardinals 3
With the addition of Ryan O’Hearn the Naturals lineup is so deep that on many nights a talented hitter has to sit on the bench. With a lineup stretching deep it was Orlando Calixte and O’Hearn who starred on this night with both connecting on a pair of doubles, Calixte scoring on three occasions. The helium on lefty Matt Strahm appears to be real with the starter putting up another excellent outing over 7 innings to earn his 2nd win. Staked to a comfortable lead, Strahm attacked hitters with 7 strikeouts and 65 of his 89 pitches landing in the zone. It is early for Strahm but in my time covering the Royals system no pitcher in the GMDM era has looked as comfortable at the Double-A level as Strahm.
Raul Mondesi 1-5, R, E (5)
Mauricio Ramos 2-4, R, team leading .323 average
Ryan O’Hearn 2-5, 2-2b, 2 RBI
Delmarva Shorebirds 5 Lexington Legends 4
Despite tossing five no-hit innings Friday, starter Corey Ray and his Lexington teammates were turned away from a win. The offense was able to muster just a 1-0 advantage through five despite Ray’s excellent pitching, and a couple of Delmarva doubles did the Lexington pitcher in during the 6th. Infielder Travis Maezes is off to a good start with the bat, connecting on extra base hits during each appearance this week, but things haven’t gone as well with the glove as he’s committed a pair of errors. With Lexington down just a run, first baseman Samir Duenez was caught trying to steal in the third ending the Legends last threat of the evening.
Samir Duenez 2-3, 2b, R, RBI, SB (10), CS (2), E (3)
Corey Ray 6 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Chase Vallot 0-3, R, BB