3-2 day for the affiliates with a pair of losses at Triple-A.
HR Roll Call: Hunter Dozier (13), Frank Schwindel 2 (9), Samir Duenez (4), Jecksson Flores (1)
BP KC Hitter of the Day – Jorge Bonifacio 5-7, 2-2b, 3b, R
BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Eric Skoglund 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 9-3 GO-FO, 83p/62k
The Royals called up Reymond Fuentes and Peter Moylan while optioning Dillon Gee to Omaha and placing Brett Eibner on the DL. In addition, Matt Ditman was optioned to Idaho Falls and Gabe Cramer was activated to Lexington in his place.
Game 1
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6 Omaha Storm Chasers 5
The Chasers built an early lead only to watch the Sky Sox come from behind and slug their way to a victory. The middle of the Chasers order did their job as Jorge Bonifacio, Hunter Dozier and Balbino Fuenmayor combined for seven hits in twelve at bats with three doubles, a triple and a home run. Reliever Malcom Culver couldn’t survive the thin air of Colorado Springs, giving up three runs in 2.1 innings on five hits.
Hunter Dozier 2-4, 2b, HR
Christian Colon 1-4, R
Balbino Fuenmayor 2-4, 2b, 2 RBI
Game 2
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 5 Omaha Storm Chasers 0
In game two, the Chasers offense stayed dormant from the late innings from the previous game while the Sox continued their roll. The Brewers affiliate pounded out 11 hits in just seven innings, including three from big name prospect Orlando Arcia. Only three Chasers would collect a hit in the game while three different pitchers gave up runs in the seven inning contest.
Ramon Torres 3-3
Hunter Dozier 1-3
Jorge Bonifacio 2-3, 2b
NW Arkansas Naturals 7 San Antonio Missions 5
After a span of eleven games when the Naturals offense couldn’t get much done, suddenly the offense has awakened, and the club has cashed in with four consecutive wins. Starter Eric Skoglund gave the Naturals a quality start, working six innings of two run ball before giving way to the bullpen. Four different hitters in the lineup had multi-hit games as part of the 13 hit night including newcomer Carlos Diaz who went 3 for 4 in his first Double-A game. Designated hitter Frank Schwindel left the yard twice with a solo home run in the 4th and another in the 6th, both off Missions starter Bryce Morrow. Pitcher Pedro Fernandez made his first appearance since May 15, working 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out a pair.
Ryan O’Hearn 2-3, 2b, 2 RBI, BB
Frank Schwindel 2-4, 2 HR
Corey Toups 2-5, 2b, 2R
Wilmington Blue Rocks 9 Lynchburg Hillcats 6
The Rocks jumped out to a big first inning lead only to watch the Hillcats catch them. However, a nice recovery in the late innings lead to a game one win to open the series. Lynchburg starter Antonio Romero was discombobulated from the get-go in this one, acting as if he wasn’t ready for his fill-in start. The Rocks jumped all over him scoring five runs in the first inning. The righty walked three in the first and gave up four hits as part of that frame before finding a groove that saw him retire ten of the last eleven that he faced. The Rocks would give up the lead in the fifth as part of a four-run Lynchburg inning but the offense would bounce right back, scoring three in the bottom half and adding an insurance run in the sixth. Shortstop Humberto Arteaga helped paced the offensive effort with three hits. He also scored twice.
Humberto Arteaga 3-5, 2 R
Robert Pehl 2-2, R, 2-2b, RBI, 2BB
Brandon Downes 1-3, 2R, RBI, BB
Lexington Legends 8 Greensboro Grasshoppers 5
The Legends knocked around the Grasshoppers starter in salvaging the final game of their three game set with Greensboro on Wednesday afternoon. A four run fourth inning, highlighted by Jecksson Flores’s first home run of the season, gave the Legends a lead they would not relinquish. Samir Duenez would add a solo home run in the fifth and Mike Hill’s second double of the game in that inning would push the lead to 7-5. Reliever Nik Stephenson worked the final 2.1 innings scoreless to earn the save for reliever Mark McCoy. Catcher Chase Vallot left the game early after a collision at home plate, the severity of the injury was not known at the time of publication.
Mike Hill 2-3, 2R, 2-2b, 2 RBI
Xavier Fernandez 2-3, 2b, 2R
Jecksson Flores 2-4, HR, 3 RBI