BPKC Hitter of the Day: Frank Schwindel 2-4, HR, 2b, 2 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jake Kalish 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 4-1 GO/FO, 95p/65k

Omaha Storm Chasers 6, Sacramento River Cats 2

Omaha’s Jake Kalish continued his impressive string of starts by setting a new career high with 10 strikeouts, beating the nine-strikeout mark he set his last time out. The left-hander amazingly has been far more consistent as a starter the last two seasons than he has from the pen, putting up a sub-3 ERA when he starts compared to an over 5 run ERA from the pen. On this night he pounded the zone with 65 strikes on 96 pitches, allowing a run in the first before finishing the final three innings perfect with four strikeouts. The offense staked him to a 3-1 lead with three singles around a Sacramento error. Infielder Nicky Lopez provided an RBI single in that frame while collecting four hits and scoring on Frank Schwindel’s 17th home run of the season. Reliever Richard Lovelady finished the final two innings perfect to earn his fifth save of the season.

Richard Lovelady: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-3 GO-FO, 23p/15k
Nicky Lopez: 4-5, R, RBI
Donnie Dewees: 2-3, R, 2b, BB

Game 1 – NW Arkansas Naturals 4, Tulsa Drillers 0
Game 2 – Tulsa Drillers 8, NW Arkansas Naturals 1

The Naturals added three pitchers on rehab assignments in the last two days with Eric Skoglund making the start on Monday, while Blaine Boyer and Jesse Hahn pitched in Tuesday’s doubleheader. Starting the game, Boyer tossed just 13 pitches, walking the leadoff hitter before earning a pair of outs and handing the ball to Foster Griffin. The lefty left his struggling season behind him on this day, earning the win with an efficient 6.1 innings that saw him yield just two hits and a walk. The offense backed him up with a pair of home runs from Khalil Lee and Nick Dini while Kelvin Gutierrez added an RBI single. For Lee, it was the outfielder’s second Double-A home run, coming on the first pitch he saw, traveling 393 feet with an exit velocity of 103 mph. In game two, Jesse Hahn worked a quick inning giving up a bloop single before earning a double play and a 3-1 groundout. With just 10 pitches tossed, Hahn completed the rest of his work in the Naturals pen. In relief, new Naturals lefty Luis Lugo struggled, giving up a two-run home run and two other hits while walking two in just two-thirds of an inning. Things didn’t get better for Naturals pitching as the next three pitchers gave up at least one run while the offense couldn’t counter with a 0-6 effort with runners in scoring position.

Khalil Lee: 1-5, HR, HBP, 2 E
Foster Griffin: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 5-5 GO-FO, 74p/45k
Nick Heath: 2-4, 2R, BB

Wilmington Blue Rocks 8, Salem Red Sox 6

The Rocks kept their winning ways going Tuesday night with a come from behind win in the first game of their series with Salem. Trailing 4-3 in the seventh inning, hot-hitting Meibrys Viloria tied the game up with an RBI single before a wild pitch allowed Emmanuel Rivera to score to give Wilmington a lead. An inning later, the Rocks put a firm grasp on the game with the Puerto Rican connection of Gabriel Cancel and Rivera doubling in runs following a D.J. Burt RBI single to give the Rocks an 8-4 lead. That was enough for the Rocks to hang onto and extend their winning streak to five games.

Gabriel Cancel: 1-2, 2R, 2b, RBI, 3 BB
Emmanuel Rivera: 3-5, R, 2b, 2 RBI
Meibrys Viloria: 2-4, R, 2 RBI

Elizabethton Twins 10, Burlington Royals 3

A pair of college bats in the Twins farm did in the Royals on this night as Trevor Larnach and Chris Williams combined for seven hits and seven RBI. Most of the damage came off 2017 draftee Bryar Johnson, with the right-hander giving up nine hits and seven runs in just 3.1 innings to take the defeat.

Juan Carlos Negret: 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Jose Marquez: 2-5, R, 2b, RBI
Jackson Lueck: 1-4, K

Missoula Osprey 6, Idaho Falls Chukars 5

The Chukars defense gave them trouble in their finale in Missoula. Defensive errors in the third inning keyed a three-run inning that gave the Diamondbacks rookie squad a 4-2 lead. The league’s second best offense countered to tie the game at 5-5 but a missed catch error by first baseman Nick Hutchins with two outs in the ninth allowed Missoula to walk things off for a win.

Nathan Eaton: 1-5, HR
Angel Medina: 2-4, 2R, 2b, HR, 2 RBI
Andres Martin: 2-3, 2 RBI

Tuesday Boxscores

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Angel Medina 2-3 4R, HR, 3b, 3 RBI, 2 BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Daniel Lynch 5 IP 3H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 5 K 3-4 GO-FO 51p/40k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Lynchburg Hillcats 6

Rocks starter Daniel Tillo struggled with his control once again as he walked five hitters in five innings and hit one more during his five-inning start. Two of those free passes helped toward a three-run first inning in which Tillo gave up a two-run triple and an RBI double before settling some. In the fourth, he allowed his tenth home run of the season to put the Rocks down 4-1. In the fifth inning, Wilmington countered with an RBI double by Blake Perkins and Gabe Cancel’s single that scored him. The Rocks trailed 6-3 into the ninth but they countered with four runs getting rbi hits from Vance Vizcaino and Blake Perkins to score two before Gabe Cancel doubled in two more to take a 7-6 lead. Reliever Julio Pinto loaded the bases with no outs with two hits and a walk allowed but his replacement Tyler Zuber entered and saved the game for the Rocks, getting a forceout at the plate, a strikeout and a flyout to right to end it in winning fashion.

Blake Perkins: 2-4 2R, 2b, 3b, 2 RBI
Dan Tillo: 5 IP 4 H 4 R 4 ER 5 BB 4 K HBP 7-3 GO-FO 88p/53k
Gabe Cancel: 3-5 2-2b, 3 RBI

Game 1 San Antonio Mission 4 NW Arkansas Naturals 3 F/8
Game 2 San Antonio Mission 4 NW Arkansas Naturals 3

Starter Arnaldo Hernandez struggled with his control, walking four while allowing seven hits in six innings. Five of those hits were singles that led to three runs against him to put NW Arkansas down 3-0. The Naturals countered with a run scoring single by Khalil Lee and a two-run home run by Alex Liddi to tie things up, but the Naturals couldn’t score in extras and reliever Andres Machado walked in a run for a Padres affiliate win.

The second game was much like the first except the Naturals built a 3-1 lead through eight innings only to watch struggling relievers Franco Terrero and Bryan Brickhouse give it away in the last two innings. The young Terrero has given up five runs in his last two outings after four scoreless while Brickhouse has yet to collect himself at the Double-A level with seven runs given up in two and one-third.

Khalil Lee: 2-6 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB
Anderson Miller: 2-7 2 R, 2b
Jecksson Flores: 2-7, BB, SB

Omaha Storm Chasers 3 Memphis Redbirds 0

The Chasers needed Zach Lovvorn for a start to replace Trevor Oaks after his promotion. The right-hander worked around four hits and three walks with just one strikeout over six scoreless innings. Outfielder Paulo Orlando hit a two-run home run and scored his second run after doubling to help towards the Chasers three runs. Relievers Josh Staumont and Richard Lovelady tossed the final three scoreless in between a rain delay to earn the win.

Richard Lovelady: 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 0 K 2-0 GO-FO 13/8 p/k
Paulo Orlando: 2-4 2R, 2b, HR, 2 RBI
Cam Gallagher: 1-4 RBI

Suspended Gm Princeton Rays 11 Burlington Royals 10 F/11
Princeton Rays 11 Burlington Royals 9 F/10

The Rays scored three runs in the 11th inning of the suspended game after tying things up in the ninth to take a commanding lead. The Royals got within a run with a Jose Marquez RBI single with one out single but they failed to tie the game with a strikeout by Juan Carlos Negret and a Freddy Fermin groundout.

In the regularly scheduled game, Daniel Lynch tossed five scoreless with just three singles with five strikeouts to position himself for his first win. The offense capably backed Lynch with a pair of home runs by Angel Medina and Jose Marquez in the first two innings to put four runs on the board. The Royals added a pair of runs in the third inning and another in the fifth to build a 7-0 lead. The bullpen couldn’t hold that lead, giving up eight runs over the final three innings to even the game at 8-8. In extras, the bullpen continued their struggles, giving up three runs in the tenth to lead to another Burlington loss.

Jose Marquez: 2-5 HR, 2 RBI

Orem Owlz 7 Idaho Falls Chukars 0

Newcomer Kris Bubic gave up three runs (2 ER) in his first appearance in the Royals org. The lefty gave up three hits and walked a pair while the defense struggled behind him. His replacement Tyler Gray gave up four runs in two and one-third innings while the Chukars offense mustered just six hits in the shutout.

Kyle Isbel: 0-4
Kris Bubic: 2.2 IP 3 H 3 R 2 ER 2 BB 1 K 6-1 GO-FO 47p/28
Reed Rohlman: 2-3 BB

Thursday Boxscores

Friday Probables
Omaha – TBD
NW Arkansas – Emilio Ogando 4-5 6.71 ERA 2.19 WHIP
Wilmington – Jace Vines 2-8 5.25 ERA 1.62 WHIP
Lexington – Charlie Neuweiler 0-1 4.20 ERA 1.40 WHIP
Burlington – Marcelo Martinez 0-2 1.64 ERA 0.73 WHIP
Idaho Falls – Connor Mayes 2-1 6.08 ERA 1.73 WHIP

HR Roll Call: Raul Mondesi (8), Angel Medina (1)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Joe Dudek 2-3, R, 2b, RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Anthony Bender 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 3-3 GO-FO, 58p/40k

DSL Royals 3, DSL Braves 2

The DSL Royals walked off for another win in the 10th inning.

Each team exchanged solo runs in the third and fifth innings, with the Royals scoring on a wild pitch in the third and on a Felix Familia single in the fifth frame. The two teams were scoreless until the tenth when the teams were provided runners on second base. The Royals worked around the Braves runner in the tenth by earning a double play to get out of the inning scoreless. In their half of the tenth inning, a single pushed runner Reynin Reynoso to third base where he would score on Ismaldo Rodriguez’s walk-off single.

Boxscore Link

Felix Familia 2-5, RBI
Adrian Alcantara 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 6-0 GO-FO
Ismaldo Rodriguez 1-3, RBI, 2 BB

AZL Padres 7, AZL Royals 6

The AZL Royals fell behind early and came up just short late in a second consecutive loss.

Righty Malcolm Van Buren got back on the mound after Tommy John surgery, but lasted just three batters, walking a pair and giving up a hit before getting tagged for two runs in the inning and getting lifted. The Royals tied it up, but the Padres kept the pressure on, scoring two runs in the fourth and fifth innings before pushing their lead to 7-2 in the seventh.

The Padres gave some back in the Royals half of the seventh, allowing three runs in the inning, two of which came via a passed ball and a wild pitch. The Royals pulled within a run after an RBI single from Cristian Perez but could get no closer when Nick Pratto flew out to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 1-5
Esteury Ruiz 1-4 R
Charlie Neuweiler 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 3-0 GO-FO

Burlington Royals 4, Bluefield Blue Jays 2

After winning their first game of the year by completing their suspended game, the Royals added to the win column in game two.

In this one, they received good pitching from three different pitchers with JC Cloney, Tyler Falwell and Kevin Lenik each working three innings, with Falwell allowing the only two runs among the threesome.

In the fourth, Julio Gonzalez created his own offense by walking and stealing a pair of bases before scoring on groundout. Two innings later, Gonzalez scored the second run in the inning, stealing third again to set up a sac fly off the bat of Sebastian Rivero. The Royals scored in the seventh on a passed ball to pad their lead and take home a win despite being outhit 10-6.

Boxscore Link

Sebastian Rivero 2-3, RBI
Cal Jones 2-5, R, SB
Julio Gonzalez 0-4, 2R, 3 SB, BB

Grand Junction Rockies 14, Idaho Falls Chukars 3

The Rockies pummeled the Chukars pitching staff, connecting on 18 hits and scoring 14 runs in a rout.

The Idaho Falls lineup connected on just six hits of their own, while the Rockies had six extra base hits as part of their 18-hit output. The two teams combined for nine errors in the ugly affair that took three and a half hours to complete.

Boxscore Link

Andres Sotillet 3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HR
Amalani Fukofuka 2-5, R
Darrell Miller 2-5, 2 RBI

Lexington Legends 6, Columbia Fireflies 5

The Legends gave up a lead in the ninth only to come back and walk it off in their half of the inning.

Starter Andre Davis made it just 2.2 innings after Columbia ran his pitch count up in the third, leaving with one run allowed and six strikeouts before giving way to Anthony Bender. The righthander gave the Legends four quality innings, striking out six with just an unearned run allowed while leaving with the lead.

A pair of walks and an RBI single by Joe Dudek prior to an error that scored another run in the fourth helped Lexington take a 2-1 lead. Catcher Meibrys Viloria quickly expanded the lead to 4-1 with a two-run double on a line drive to right field.

Things were going swimmingly with two outs in the ninth but an ejection and a long drawn out walk off the field may have ruined reliever Matt Wynne’s groove. After the ejection, the reliever gave up a single to bring up the leading run to the plate. That run was quickly converted with a three-run home run by Milton Ramos to give Columbia a brief lead.

It was brief because the Legends quickly came back in the home half, getting a Joe Dudek double prior to a run-scoring single by Gabe Cancel. After a sac bunt by Meibrys Viloria pushed Cancel into scoring position, outfielder Yeison Melo connected on a line drive to right that brought home Cancel to walk it off for the Legends.

Boxscore Link

Yeison Melo 2-4, RBI
Joe Dudek 2-3, R, 2b, RBI, BB
Meibrys Viloria 1-3, 2b, 2 RBI

Frederick Keys 5, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

Starter Scott Blewett continued to get a few strikeouts, but the Orioles High-A affiliate connected plenty to limit him to just 4.2 innings.

The O’s big time hitting prospect Ryan Mountcastle homered in the first inning and doubled in the third ahead of another home run by the Keys. A pair of doubles in the fifth did Blewett in and gave the Frederick a 5-0 lead. All of these extra base hits were sandwiched around eight strikeouts for the big righty. That gives him 20 strikeouts in his last 16.2 innings.

The Wilmington offense was no-hit until two outs in the eighth when Cody Jones singled to break up the no-no. The shutout ended in the ninth when the Rocks scored a run on a double play.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 1-3, 2b, BB, 1.105 OPS in 15 games
DJ Burt 1-3, BB
Scott Blewett 4.2 IP, 7H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 HR, 3-3 GO-FO, 101p/65k

Colorado Springs Sky Sox 14, Omaha Storm Chasers 6
Colorado Springs Sky Sox 10, Omaha Storm Chasers 2

The Chasers pitching staff continued their struggles in Colorado Springs, giving up 24 runs in just 12 innings of pitching in the doubleheader on Tuesday.

While the Sky Sox were bashing Christian Binford, Seth Manness and Jon Dziedzic for five home runs and 28 hits in the two games, the Chasers offense wasn’t doing near the damage. The Omaha offense connected on 15 hits and eight runs total, with Raul Mondesi connecting on the only home run in the two game sweep.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Raul Mondesi 2-6, HR, 2 RBI
Jorge Soler 1-3, BB
Ryan O’Hearn 2-7, R, 2 K

HR Roll Call Gabriel Cancel (3), Cristhian Vasquez (2), Nathan Esposito (2), Cal Jones (2), Angel Medina (3) 

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Cristhian Vasquez 2-4 2R, HR, 3 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Eric Skoglund 6 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 10 K 6-2 GO-FO 85p/63k

Sacramento River Cats 3 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

For the third game in a row the Chasers scored just one run, losing their seventh in the last eight games. Rehabber Mike Minor gave them a quality start in the loss, allowing three runs (2 ER) in six innings. The lefty gave up four hits including a pair of home runs while walking four hitters on the night. The Chasers lineup struckout 14 times while going 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position in the loss.

Boxscore Link

Whit Merrifield 2-4 R
Hunter Dozier 1-4 2b, RBI
Mike Minor 6 IP 4 H 3 R 2 ER 4 BB 6 K 5-2 GO-FO 88p/52k

San Antonio Missions 1 NW Arkansas Naturals 0

The Naturals lost a pitching duel on a ninth inning walkoff home run Friday night. Starter Eric Skoglund was outstanding in his six innings,tying a career high with 10 strikeouts while allowing just three singles. The lefty attacked the zone on his 85 pitches, hitting the zone 63 times while earning six groundouts in his start. The game remained scoreless until the ninth when Franchy Cordero took reliever Mark Peterson deep to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Corey Toups 0-3 BB
Carlos Garcia 1-2
Evan Beal 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 3 K 2-1 GO-FO 24p/16k

Salem Red Sox 7 Wilmington Blue Rocks 6

The Rocks fell behind big and then came up short with their comeback bid. Starter Zach Lovvorn was touched up for five runs in just one and one-third innings on eight hits and three walks. Those runs combined with two more off Jake Kalish put the Rocks behind 7-0 through four innings. The Rocks plated a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth before getting a run in the ninth and the tying run to third with just one out. Unfortunately Robert Pehl struckout swinging and Carlos Diaz grounded out to stomp out the rally and give the Rocks another loss.

Boxscore Link

Cody Jones 3-4 R, RBI, BB
Samir Duenez 1-5 2b, 3 RBI
Luis Villegas 2-3 R, 2b, BB

Augusta GreenJackets 7 Lexington Legends 0

Reliever Franco Terrero got knocked around in the sixth inning for five runs to put a 2-0 game out of reach for the Legends. The offense couldn’t get anything working on their end during the game, collecting just two hits both of which came from Tanner Stanley. Starter Yunior Marte took the loss while giving up two runs over five innings and collecting six strikeouts during the loss.

Boxscore Link

Yunior Marte 5 IP 6 H 2 ER 2 BB 6 K 4-2 GO-FO 87p/55k
Gabe Cramer 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 2 K
Tanner Stanley 2-3

Great Falls Voyagers 7 Idaho Falls Chukars 2

The Chukars offensive woes continued in their first game back from the roadtrip. With the struggles Idaho Falls still had a 2-0 lead through five innings before the defense let lefty Matt Portland down. Errors lead to three unearned runs and a deficit too large for the offense to climb out from.

Matt Portland 6.1 IP 2 H 3 R 1 ER 4 BB 4 K
Meibrys Viloria 1-2 BB
Yeison Melo 1-3 RBI

Burlington Royals 9 Princeton Rays 5

The Royals powered up for a big win Friday night in helping Garrett Davila push his record to 5-0.  Three home runs by Royals hitters and eight runs driven in by the same three hitters lead the way. All three home runs came in the third inning with Gabriel Cancel’s two run shot which was quickly followed by Cristhian Vasquez and his two run home run which was backed up by Nathan Esposito’s homer. The Royals starter, Davila, allowed four runs in in five innings while giving up seven hits and two walks in one of his lesser starts of the year.

Boxscore Link

Garrett Davila 5 IP 7 H 4 ER 2 BB 6 K 3-2 GO-FO
Nathan Esposito 2-4 2b, HR, 2 RBI
Kort Peterson 1-4 R, 2b

AZL Royals 11 AZL Mariners 3

The Royals punched out the Mariners pitchers while their pitching staff punched out the M’s lineup. The Royals Jason Vargas punched out six hitters in his two and one-third innings while allowing just two unearned runs on two hits. From there three more pitchers k’d eight more hitters in the final six and two-third innings with just an unearned run allowed. The offense punched out 14 hits and 11 runs including Cal Jones and his second home run in three games.

Boxscore Link

Cal Jones 1-5 3R, HR, 3 RBI
Khalil Lee 2-4 2R, RBI, 2 BB
Jason Vargas 2.1 IP 2 H 2 R 0 ER 0 BB 6 K

DSL Royals 6 DSL Marlins 2

The Royals plated a run in each of the final five innings to beat the Marlins. Third baseman Angel Medina had a big day at the plate connecting on three hits with a solo home run.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 2-5 2-2b
Raymond Lopez 2-5 3R, 2b
Angel Medina 3-4 2R, 3b, HR

HR Roll Call Raul Mondesi (6), Xavier Fernandez (5), Brandon Dulin (4), Jonathan McCray (2), Ryan Dale (1)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Brandon Dulin 3-4 2R, HR, 2 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Garrett Davila 6 IP 6 H 0 R 1 BB 2 K 2PO 9-3 GO-FO

Memphis Redbirds 5 Omaha Storm Chasers 2

The Redbirds used the longball to take advantage of Kris Medlen on his final rehab outing. All five runs came via home run with Randal Grichuk knocking two out that scored three runs and Jacob Wilson also hitting a two run home run. The Chasers were unable to answer with home runs of their own, scoring just two runs on nine hits and a walk while going 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position.

Boxscore Link

Hunter Dozier 2-3 BB
Kris Medlen 5.2 IP 6 H 5 ER 2 BB 5 K 3-6 GO-FO 88p/55k
Orlando Calixte 1-4 R, 2b

Midland RockHounds 5 NW Arkansas 3

Lefty Matt Strahm was missing most of the bats he faced in his first start back from the All Star break but a few connected to ruin his and the Naturals teammates night. Three home runs allowed among the four hits allowed off Strahm accounted for four runs and a Midland win. This despite the lefty setting a season high nine down via strikeout in his six innings. The four runs pushed aside the three runs that the Naturals scored in the first four innings via a Frank Schwindel two run first inning double and a fourth inning Logan Moon RBI single. NW Arkansas went scoreless over the final five innings thanks in part to three double plays that they grounded into in the fifth through seventh innings.

Boxscore Link

Ryan O’Hearn 2-3 R, BB
Frank Schwindel 2-4 2b, 2RBI
Matt Strahm 6 IP 4 H 4 ER 2 BB 9 K 3-3 GO-FO 97p/59k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Winston-Salem Dash 4

Some big extra base hits, a rarity for the Rocks, paced Wilmington to a win in the first game of their series at home with Winston-Salem. Trailing 4-0 Raul Mondesi got things started for the Rocks with an RBI double in the third inning, scoring Chad Johnson and moving Austin Bailey to third base where he would score from one hitter later on a Alfredo Escalera groundout. Two innings later a pair of doubles from Samir Duenez and Wander Franco helped plate three runs and give Wilmington the lead. That lead would get stretched to three runs in the sixth inning when Mondesi would blast a two run home run to centerfield, his sixth home run of the season. Those runs would be plenty to secure the win with the bullpen blanking the Dash over the final five innings.

Boxscore Link

Alfredo Escalera 1-4 R, RBI
Chad Johnson 1-2 R, 2BB
Austin Bailey 1-2 2R, 2b, 2BB

Lexington Legends 5 Rome Braves 4

Braves prospect Touki Toussaint struggled with the strikezone early which gave the Legends an advantage that they jumped on. An RBI single from Brandon Dulin plated the first run of the inning just before an Xavier Fernandez three run home run to give Lexington a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Toussiant would settle down to complete four innings with just that damage allowed while Lexington’s first round pick, Nolan Watson, would give up a pair of home runs in the 4th and 5th combined with an RBI single to cut the lead to 4-3. A run in the sixth inning by the Braves would tie things up and cost Watson a win despite a solid performance for the righty. Despite losing the lead the Legends wouldn’t drop the game thanks to Dulin’s fourth home run of the season that the bullpen made stand up over the final two innings.

Boxscore Link

Nolan Watson 5 IP 5 H 3 ER 0 BB 5 K 2 HR 0-3 GO-FO 96p/58k
Xavier Fernandez 2-3 HR, 3 RBI, BB
Anderson Miller 1-3 R, BB

Idaho Falls Chukars 7 Grand Junction Rockies 6

The Chukars watched a pair of walkoffs in two of their last three games prior to Thursday nights game but gained some redemption with their own walkoff in game one versus Grand Junction. The Rockies gained leads three different times in the game but each time Idaho Falls answered in an ugly game that featured nine combined errors. Back and forth the teams went until the tenth inning when a hit by pitch pushed the winning run into scoring position where they would come around from following the Rockies fourth error of the game to walkoff for the good guys.

Boxscore Link

Meibrys Viloria 1-1 2R, RBI, 2BB, HBP
Colton Frabasilio 1-3 3R, 2b, 2BB
Brian Bayliss 3 IP 2 H 1 R 0 ER 1 BB 3 K

Burlington Royals 6 Bristol Pirates 0

Lefty Garrett Davila pitched above the level he is at despite not overpowering the Pirates. Despite just two strikeouts he was never in much trouble working around six hits and a walk with a  pair of pickoffs, a couple of double plays and nine groundouts earned on the night. The offense backed up Davila well with eight hits and five walks with three doubles and a home run in that mix to plate six runs in the win. Infielder Emmanuel Rivera plated a pair of runs with two more hits as he continued his torrid start to the season.

Boxscore Link

Emmanuel Rivera 2-3 2b, 2 RBI, BB
Jonathan McCray 1-4 HR, 2 RBI
Jose Veras 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 2 K

DSL Royals 7 DSL A’s 1 

The pitching staff stiffled the A’s offense, limiting them to just three hits and one run while the offense got plenty of help courtesy six errors from the opponents. Third baseman Angel Medina pitched in, reaching base five times during the game while scoring a pair of runs.

Boxscore Link

Angel Medina 3-3 2R, 2b, 2BB
Juan Peguero 2-4 R, RBI
Randy Acevedo 6 IP 2 H 0 R 2 BB 3 K 10-2 GO-FO

HR Roll Call Angel Franco (1), Ryan O’Hearn (14), Nick Heath (1), Angel Medina (2), Dennicher Carrasco (2)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Dennicher Carrasco – 4-6, 3R, 2b, HR, 4 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Pedro Fernandez – 7.2 IP, 4 H,, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, HBP, 5 K, 8-4 GO-FO, 87p/56k

Pitcher Emilio Ogando spun one perfect inning during the South Atlantic League All-Star Game with one strikeout on 11 pitches.

Infielder Humberto Arteaga grounded out twice in his two Carolina vs California League All-Star Game appearance.

New Orleans Zephyrs 6 Omaha Storm Chasers 5

The Chasers trailed much of the night in the opener of their series against New Orleans but threatened in the ninth before coming just feet short of tying the game. The Zephyrs knocked around Omaha’s starter John Lannan for five runs to put Omaha into a 5-3 hole. An Angel Franco home run in the seventh cut the two-run deficit in half, before a New Orleans insurance run off reliever Malcom Culver made it 6-4. Omaha threatened in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases and getting a two out single from Ramon Torres to score Balbino Fuenmayor, but a throw from Destin Hood to the plate cut down Irving Falu to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Ramon Torres 1-5, RBI
Balbino Fuenmayor 3-4, R, 2b, RBI
Angel Franco 2-4, 2R, 2b, HR, BB, 2 RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 9 Arkansas Travelers 2

The Naturals broke a five game losing streak Tuesday with an outstanding starting pitching performance combined with plenty of offense. Starter Pedro Fernandez, who had not went further than 3.2 innings previously, gave NW Arkansas 7.2 innings of two-run ball to earn the win. The Dominican righty gave up a solo home run to Caleb Adams to start the game and an RBI double to Adams in the third, but around those two hits allowed just two more in his time in the mound. Attacking the zone with a three pitch mix, Fernandez kept the ball on the ground with eight groundouts. The Naturals offense backed up Fernandez with a 13 hit, four walk performance that allowed them to plate nine runs. Sam Houston teammates Corey Toups and Ryan O’Hearn continued their solid seasons with Toups scoring three runs on a pair of hits and walk, while O’Hearn hit his 14th home run of the season.

Boxscore Link

Alex Gordon 1-5, RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 1-4, HR, BB
Corey Toups 2-4, 3R, 2b, BB, 2 RBI

Orem Owlz 7 Idaho Falls Chukars 4 

Angels 1st round pick Matt Thaiss was a little too much for Chukars pitching in game two of their series with Orem. The former Virginia bopper had a pair of doubles and a home run in his five at bats, scoring two runs and driving in four as part of the 7-4 win for Orem. The Owlz had 12 hits, with Thaiss and 8th round pick Troy Montgomery accounting for six of them, while the two drove in five of the seven runs. A three-run home run by Thaiss in the ninth was the difference after Royals 16th round pick Nick Heath had tied the game with a solo home run in the 6th.

Boxscore Link

Manny Olloque 2-4, 2b, 2 RBI
Luke Willis 3-3, R, BB
Tanner Stanley 2-4, R, RBI, BB

AZL Royals 5 AZL Rangers 3

The Arizona squad won their opener thanks in part to a solid pitching effort of Jose Rodriguez. The 19 year old Dominican lefty worked one past the minimum in his five innings relief of Glenn Sparkman. Recording three strikeouts in that time, Rodriguez let the Royals early 3-2 lead stand up until they could tack on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth. In his return from Tommy John surgery, Sparkman gave up a two-run home run in the first, but the Royals quickly gave his squad the lead back with three runs in the bottom of the frame. 2016 draftee Robby Rinn helped pace the offense with two hits, an RBI, and a pair of runs scored.

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Seuly Matias 1-3, R, BB, SB
Khalil Lee 1-4, R, SB
Jose Marquez 2-3, RBI

DSL Royals 12 DSL Rays 6

A big offensive day for the DSL Royals as the club pounded out 16 hits and 12 runs. Five different Royals had multi-hit games including Dennicher Carrasco and Angel Medina who each drove in four while hitting home runs.

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Angel Medina 2-5, 3R, HR, 4 RBI
Esteury Ruiz 2-5, 2R, 2b, BB
Darwin Feliz 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

HR Roll Call Angel Medina (1)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – DJ Burt 3-4 3R, BB, RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Franco Terrero 3.1 IP 3 H 1 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 3-1 GO-FO 38p/24k

DSL Royals 9 DSL Rays 1 

The Royals have a few bonus babies playing together in the Dominican Summer League this season after spending big money last year in Latin America. With five position players signed for $100k or more and four of those over $400k, including Seuly Matias who signed for $2.25m last July. With all that money spread over a number of players it makes  this one of the most loaded groups the Royals have ever assembled in the DSL at any one time. All that talent showed itself on this day, knocking out 12 hits while walking six times and scoring nine runs in their first game. Third baseman Angel Medina ($425k) had a big day, connecting on a two run home run while catcher Sebastian Rivera added four hits and scored a pair of runs. All told all nine players in the lineup reached base at least once while the pitching staff allowed just two hits in the game.

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Seuly Matias 1-4 2b, RBI
Janser Lara ($200k) 1.2 IP 0 H 0 R 4 BB 3 K
Jeison Guzman ($1.5m) 1-4 2R, BB

Nashville Sounds 3 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

The Chasers left ten guys on base and the Sounds scored a pair in the first off Dillon Gee and were able to make that stand up with Omaha’s struggles to knock guys in. Gee was solid if unspectacular giving up three runs in six innings with four hits and a walk allowed while striking out four. Newcomer Joe Beimel tossed an inning of relief while Travis Snider was pulled following the injury to Cheslor Cuthbert for the major league team.

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Hunter Dozier 1-4 2b
Jorge Bonifacio 1-3 BB
Christian Colon 0-5 2K

Winston-Salem Dash 6 Wilmington Blue Rocks 0 

For a second straight game the Rocks were held punchless versus a Winston-Salem starter. This time it was Brandon Brennan working a complete game shutout, refusing to give up an extra base hit while holding Wilmington to 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Dash starters have now tossed back to back complete game shutouts to blank the Rocks and take a 2-1 series advantage in the four gamer. Starter Colin Rodgers gave up a pair of home runs while walking three in five innings to drop to 1-4 on the season. Infielder Wander Franco has finally got the bat going over his last 12 games after a difficult April and start of May, hitting .347 during that span with six doubles and a pair of home runs.

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Wander Franco 2-4
Alfredo Escalera 2-4
Matt Tenuta 3 IP 3 H 1 ER 0 BB 3 K 1-2 GO-FO 43p/31k

Lakewood BlueClaws 9 Lexington Legends 5

The Legends dropped the first game of their series with the Phillies affiliate after Nolan Watson gave up 8 runs from the 2nd through 4th innings. The start for Watson is his sixth this season in which he has given up five runs or more. The Legends offense scored single runs in five different innings but were unable to put up a crooked number in any inning due to 11 strikeouts on offense that damaged a few different rallies.

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Nolan Watson 3.2 IP 8 H 7 R 6 ER 1 BB 2 K 6-4 GO-FO 72p/45k
DJ Burt 3-4 3R, RBI, BB
Franco Terrero 3.1 IP 3 H 1 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 3-1 GO-FO 38p/24k