Multiple affiliates were rained out on Wednesday
HR Roll Call: Ryan O’Hearn 2(20)
BP KC Hitter of the Day – Ryan O’Hearn 3-4, 3R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB
BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Zach Lovvorn 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 9-3 GO-FO, 102p/62k
Omaha Storm Chasers 4 Fresno Grizzlies 3
Omaha’s starter Luke Farrell was solid and a big insurance run in the ninth provided the necessary cushion for an Omaha win over Fresno. The Royals righthander gave up an unearned run in the first before getting on a roll that took him through 5.2 scoreless innings before turning things to the pen with a lead. That lead was built on two run fourth inning double by Hunter Dozier and a fifth inning RBI single by Dusty Coleman. They took a 3-1 scoreline into the ninth when a Bubba Starling sacrifice fly brought home Tony Cruz. That three run lead was just enough after Andrew Edwards gave up two runs before securing the save for Omaha.
Luke Farrell 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 5-10 GO-FO, 90p/62k
Hunter Dozier 2-4, 2-2b, 2 RBI
Whit Merrifield 2-4, R
NW Arkansas Naturals 11 Corpus Christi Hooks 6
The Nationals offense came up big in a win over Corpus Christi Wednesday. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn hit three run home runs in both the first and second inning as part of eight runs in the two innings for the Naturals. Three more runs for the home team backed things up during the 11-6 win that featured Jason Vargas in his first rehab appearance outside of Arizona. The Royals lefty worked 2.1 innings, giving up a pair of home runs as he allowed four hits in that time. In relief of Vargas, the Naturals used Ashton Goudeau and the righthander was up to the task, tossing one run ball over 5.1 innings to earn his fifth win at Double-A. The win kept NW Arkansas up in the standings by 1.5 games over Arkansas.
Frank Schwindel 4-5, 2R
Corey Toups 3-5, 3R
Logan Moon 3-5, 2b, 2 RBI
Wilmington Blue Rocks 1 Potomac Nationals 0
The Rocks and Nationals locked up in a pitching duel that ended with the Rocks securing a series win. Both team’s starters tossed shutout ball as Zach Lovvorn paced the Rocks with seven innings of scoreless pitching. Allowing just three hits with one walk, he was able to earn nine groundouts while striking out seven. The team’s two bullpens kept things quiet until the bottom of the ninth when a pair of no-out singles and an intentional walk loaded the bases for Wilmington. With the bases juiced, Elier Hernandez walked things off for the Rocks with a single to center to score Brien Bien.
Samir Dunez 2-4, 2b
Elier Hernanez 1-4, RBI
Jake Newberry 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 13p/10k
Idaho Falls Chukars 7 Billings Mustangs 5
The Chukars got off the schneid with a win thanks in part to a five-run sixth inning versus Billings. Trailing 4-1 into the bottom of the sixth, the Chukars plated five runs with a two-run double by Yeison Melo and a walk, with three singles to finish off the five run rally. The Mustangs threatened a couple more times with runners on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but tall lefty Cole Way was able to stomp out both rallies with the help of three strikeouts in the two innings to secure the win.
Cole Way 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 3-0 GO-FO, 36p/20k
Nick Heath 2-4, 2R, 2 SB (23)
Manny Olloque 1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB
AZL D-Backs 7 AZL Royals 1
The Royals bullpen couldn’t match their starter’s effort during a loss to the D-Backs. Local boy Grant Gavin worked five scoreless innings while allowing four singles and no walks before leaving with a 1-0 lead. That lead, which came courtesy of a Nick Dini single to drive in Seuly Matias in the fourth inning, was short lived once the bullpen got involved. All three Royals relievers gave up at least one run with Michael Messier getting the worst of it with four runs allowed on a walk and three hits.
Grant Gavin 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-5 GO-FO
Seuly Matias 1-4, R, 2b
Cal Jones 0-4, BB, SB (4)