BPKC Hitter of the Day: Anderson Miller 2-5 2HR, 4 RBI 

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Anthony Bender 7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 2 K 7-4 GO-FO 90p/55k

More Draft Info on Ted Cillis Rd 33 Pick

According to Coach Russo, left-hander Ted Cillis still has some upside left in his profile despite being a graduating senior. The reason for that is that he will finally have the ability to concentrate on just pitching after playing in the field for Hofstra for four years. Due to this, Cillis didn’t get to do the common side work most pitchers get to work on which limited the amount of time he could work on his craft. The left-hander works from a 3/4 arm slot with his fastball with good movement that he can bore in on hitters in the 91-93 mph range, touching 95. Next to the fastball, Cillis fires a plus hard slider according to Russo with a change that has good movement as well. The left-hander had some poor luck last season, going 0-10 while striking out nearly 12 per nine innings but despite that, he was still named on the All-Conference team. The Hofstra program and a left-hander drafted by the Dodgers in the 3rd round this year but Russo compared Cillis quite favorably to him and is quite excited to see what he can do with the Royals once he gets to watch Cillis just focus on pitching.

Columbia Fireflies 4 Lexington Legends 0

The Legends offense couldn’t bust through during their afternoon loss. The club struck out twelve times including three by slugger Seuly Matias as they went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. Starter Andres Sotillet was cruising until the sixth inning when he couldn’t record the final out of the inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk to fall behind in the outing. Those runs were more than enough before they tacked on another in the ninth during the shutout win.

Brewer Hicklen: 2-4
Cristian Perez: 1-4
Nick Pratto: 1-4 3K

Wilmington Blue Rocks 2 Down East Wood Ducks 1

The Rocks got a pair of early run-scoring hits and then received quality pitching to hang on for the win. Second baseman Gabriel Cancel drove in a run in the first inning with an RBI double to give Wilmington the early 1-0 lead. Two innings later Cancel singled in Nick Heath with two outs to push that advantage to 2-0. That was all the offense that starter Anthony Bender and the Rocks bullpen would need with Bender tossing seven innings with just a run allowed. After Cristian Castillo worked a scoreless eighth hard throwing Bryan Brickhouse finished off the ninth with a perfect inning to earn his eleventh save.

Bryan Brickhouse: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 1 K 14p/9k
Khalil Lee: 0-4 2K
Gabe Cancel: 2-4 2b, 2 RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 8 Tulsa Drillers 6

The Naturals built a big lead on the way to grabbing hold of first place on Wednesday night. The Naturals bats powered up early and often in the first three innings with three home runs as Anderson Miller unloaded on a three-run shot in the first inning before he and Dewees hit a couple more in the second and third innings. The club scored eight runs in four innings to build an 8-0 lead. Starter Scott Blewett took advantage with four scoreless innings to start the game before a run in the fifth broke that up. After a scoreless sixth Blewett couldn’t record an out in the seventh, allowing three hits sandwiched around a walk that all came in to dent his line. Closer Jake Newberry gave up a run in the ninth but secured the win that put the Naturals in first place with five games to play.

Scott Blewett 6 IP 6 H 5 R 5 ER 1 BB 5 K 7-5 GO-FO 84p/52k
Nicky Lopez 4-4 2R, RBI, BB
Jecksson Flores 3-4

Tacoma Rainiers 5 Omaha Storm Chasers 3

The Chasers tied the game late with an eighth-inning home run Jack Lopez only to make a mistake in the field and give the game away. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio started his stint back after his steroid suspension, singling and scoring in the fourth inning but he ran past a groundball in the eighth which allowed a run to score to give the lead away. A double to the next hitter off Wily Peralta allowed another run to score to put the game away once Omaha went down in order in the ninth.

Jorge Bonifacio: 1-4 R, 2K
Trevor Oaks: 5 IP 5 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 6-3 GO-FO 66p/44k
Adalberto Mondesi: 0-3R, BB

Wednesday Boxscores

Thursday Probables
Omaha – Heath Fillmyer 3-5 5.87 ERA 1.66 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Emilio Ogando 4-3 5.84 ERA 2.11 WHIP
Wilmington – Ofreidy Gomez 2-4 3.88 ERA 1.71 WHIP
Lexington – Yefri Del Rosario 0-1 3.60 ERA 1.20 WHIP

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Khalil Lee 2-4 2R, HR, 2b, 3 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Richard Lovelady 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 5 K 1-0 GO-FO 33p/24k

West Virginia Power 5 Lexington Legends 1

The Legends offense struggled once again, dropping their third straight game to lose the series to the Pirates Low-A affiliate. The only offense in the game was provided by catcher MJ Melendez as he hit his ninth home run of the season, a solo blow to left-center. By that time, West Virginia had already taken a lead as starter Janser Lara uncorked three wild pitches in the third in helping the Power’s Brett Pope advance around the bases after a hit by pitch. A double following wild pitch scored West Virginia’s second run off Lara as he completed four innings with two runs allowed on three hits and four walks. The relievers followed Lara with three runs allowed over the final five innings as the Legends went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position during the loss.

Seuly Matias: 0-4 2K
MJ Melendez: 2-4 HR, E (11), PB (3)
Sebastian Rivero: 1-4 K

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Lynchburg Hillcats 4

The Rocks pushed their win streak to six games with a quality effort by starter Anthony Bender and plenty of offense. In the first inning, Wilmington jumped out to a lead momentarily with a two-out RBI single by Gabe Cancel to drive in Khalil Lee who had doubled an at-bat before. The Hillcats scored their only runs off Bender in the second getting a double and a single following a one-out walk to score two runs and take the lead back in the second. That lead would be the last the Hillcats would have after a Lee connected on his fourth home run of the season, scoring three runs to take a 4-2 lead. An inning later, D.J. Burt’s two-run triple pushed the advantage to four runs before Burt created more offense in the seventh by walking, stealing third and scoring on an error by the pitcher. While the Rocks offense was scoring Bender was putting up zeroes, retiring twelve in a row from the second until the sixth as he gave seven innings while allowing just four hits and two walks on the night. Reliever Josh Mitchell allowed a pair of runs following Bender as he earned the final six outs to keep the winning streak alive.

Khalil Lee: 2-4 2R, HR, 2b, 3 RBI
D.J. Burt: 2-3 2R, 3b, 2 RBI, BB, SB (15)
Anthony Bender: 7 IP 4 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 2 K 10-7 GO-FO 98p/61k

Springfield Cardinals 5 NW Arkansas Naturals 3

A pair of runs in the eighth off Franco Terrero did in the Naturals against Springfield on Thursday night. The Naturals trailed 3-1 into the bottom of the sixth frame when NW Arkansas infielder Erick Mejia singled and stole second to begin a quick rally, quickly scoring on an Elier Hernandez single. A throw to the plate to try to get Mejia advanced Hernandez to second where he scored from via Anderson Miller’s two out single to even the game up. Unfortunately the Naturals reliever Terrero gave up a triple that eluded Elier in the eighth before a sac fly and two more hits scored two runs in the inning to take the lead and the eventual win for Springfield.

Elier Hernandez: 1-3 R, RBI, BB, SB (8)
Nicky Lopez: 1-4 CS (4)
Erick Mejia: 1-4 R, SB (16)

Omaha Storm Chasers 6 El Paso Chihuahuas 5

The Chasers gave up a lead in the ninth, but came back to win in exciting fashion on Copa De La Diversion night. Starter Heath Fillmyer bounced back from a couple of poor starts with six innings of two-run ball, striking out a season high nine. The starter hit the zone with 55 strikes on 91 pitches as he kept his slider low in the zone, for the most part, yielding just a two-out scoring single in the third inning and an Allen Craig solo home run in the fourth. The Chasers offense was limited to just a single through five innings before geting on the board with a rbi single by Adalberto Mondesi to drive in Billy Burns after his double. Newcomer Rosell Herrera drove in Mondesi with a single through the right side to tie the game. Another double by Herrera in the eighth helped load the bases after El Paso chose to walk Ryan O’Hearn intentionally, feeling the slight catch Cam Gallagher quickly singled to left to score Burns and Herrra to put Omaha up 4-2. Reliever Richard Lovelady was dominant following Fillmyer, working a pair of innings with no baserunners and five strikeouts before turning things to Kevin Lenik. That’s where things started to get scary as Lenik struggled with control, walking a pair and allowing a hit with two outs before the Omaha manager turned to Brandon Maurer. While Chasers pitchers had struck out 16 up to that point Maurer couldn’t get that last out, walking a run in before giving up a single to score two more and put Omaha down a run heading into the bottom of the ninth. With El Paso turning to submariner Kazuhisa Makita outfield Terrance Gore got a rally going with one out in the ninth, getting on base with an infield single before a single by Billy Burns pushed him into scoring position. Those two speedsters stole second and third to advance into scoring position and Mondesi did the rest, singling into right-center to walk the game off as Burns raced home for the winning run.

Adalberto Mondesi: 2-4 R, 3 RBI, SB (7)
Billy Burns: 3-5 3R, 2b, SB (6)
Heath Fillmyer: 6 IP 3 H 2 R 2 ER 3 BB 9 K 2-4 GO-FO 91p/55k

Thursday Boxscores

Friday Boxscores
Omaha – Josh Staumont 1-1 1.84 ERA 1.36 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Scott Blewett 2-4 5.28 ERA 1.66 WHIP
Wilmington – Ofreidy Gomez 2-3 3.89 ERA 1.70 WHIP
Lexington – TBD

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Paulo Orlando 4-4 2R, 3-2b

BPKC Pitcher of the Day; Josh Staumont 4 Ip 1 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 3K 1-7 GO-FO 56p/38k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 3 Salem Red Sox 2 F/10

The Blue Rocks scored early and then got a break late to finish off a series win against Salem in the fourth game of their series. Hard-throwing Anthony Bender gave Wilmington his second longest outing of the year, tossing six innings while scattering six hits despite getting just one strikeout on the day. The offense had staked Bender to a 2-0 lead with an RBI single by Khalil Lee in the third and an RBI base hit by Nick Heath in the fourth. Unfortunately, Bender couldn’t keep that lead, letting in a run in fifth on an RBI triple by Chris Marrero and another run in the sixth with a two-out RBI single by Bobby Dalbec to tie it up 2-2. The game would stay static there until extra innings when Ofreidy Gomez was able to work around the free baserunner and the Rocks took advantage of a wayward bases-loaded pitch that caught the jersey of Chris DeVito before heading towards the backstop to easily score Khalil Lee for the walk-off win.

Khalil Lee: 2-5 R, RBI
Meibrys Viloria: 3-4 R, BB
Ofreidy Gomez: 4 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 4 BB 4 K 3-3 GO-FO 62p/34k

Omaha Storm Chasers 3 Round Rock Express 2

In a spot start, Josh Staumont gave Omaha four innings of one-run ball, allowing just a first inning solo home run as he stepped in for recently called up Scott Barlow. Trailing 1-0, the Chasers scored a run in the third following a Manny Olloque leadoff double after Billy Burns sacrificed him to third base and Frank Schwindel scored him on a groundout. An inning later it was a Paulo Orlando double that added a tally after he scored on Humberto Arteaga’s single. In the sixth, three consecutive Round Rock singles plated a run off lefty callup Jake Kalish but Omaha quickly countered with the same formula that they used in the fourth getting a run off an Orlando double and Arteaga single. From that point, Kalish would buzz through to the ninth where Kevin Lenik would take over with a quick 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.

Humberto Arteaga: 2-3 2 RBI
Frank Schwindel: 1-4 RBI
Manny Olloque: 1-3 R, 2b

Tuesday Probables
Omaha – Glenn Sparkman 5-2 2.96 ERA 1.06 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Emilio Ogando (lhp) 3-2 5.63 2.01 WHIP
Wilmington – Gerson Garabito 1-4 4.17 ERA 1.46 WHIP
Lexington – Carlos Hernandez 2-2 2.33 ERA 0.83 WHIP

Monday Boxscores

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Sebastian Rivero 2-3, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jared Ruxer 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0-1 GO-FO, 30p/20k

Hickory Crawdads 4, Lexington Legends 2

The Legends were swept for the first time this season, dropping the third game in Hickory on Wednesday morning. The Lexington lineup struggled to make contact against the three Rangers Low-A pitchers, striking out a combined 14 times including eight via starter Tyler Phillips. The right-handed pitcher allowed just four hits while shutting the team out over six innings. Home runs accounted for three of the Crawdads four runs with Garrett Davila giving up a solo job in the third inning and reliever Hunter Capps allowing a two-run number two innings later. The Legends runs came in the seventh via a two-run single by Sebastian Rivero, but couldn’t push anything else across after.

Nick Pratto: 0-4, 2K
Cal Jones: 1-3, BB
Jeison Guzman: 1-3, SB

Carolina Mudcats 9, Wilmington Blue Rocks 7

For the second consecutive game, Wilmington put on a late ninth inning comeback only to leave the tying runners on base in a loss. The Brewers got after starter Ofreidy Gomez and his piggyback partner Anthony Bender in their six combined innings, tagging the pair for 10 hits and six walks that pushed nine runs across. Wilmington, as they have during the early start to the season, (leads the CL in walks) continued their patient approach at the plate to slowly get back in the game by earning seven walks. Trailing 9-3 into the ninth inning, the Rocks pushed four runs across with a bases-loaded walk to Rudy Martin and a pair of RBI hits by Angelo Castellano and Emmanuel Rivera before Xavier Fernandez popped out to end the rally.

Khalil Lee: 0-5, 3K
Emmanuel Rivera: 2-5, 3 RBI
Rudy Martin: 1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB

Wednesday Boxscores

Thursday Probables
Omaha Doubleheader – Andres Machado 0-1, 6.00 ERA 2.00 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Scott Blewett 0-1, 3.86 ERA 1.50 WHIP
Wilmington – Gerson Garabito 0-1, 1.50 ERA 0.67 WHIP
Lexington – Colin Snider 1-1, 2.31 ERA 1.37 WHIP

HR Roll Call: Ryan O’Hearn (21), Dennicher Carrasco (10)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Ryan O’Hearn 2-3 HR, 3 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Anthony Bender 6 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 6 K 4-6 GO-FO 80p/54k

Oklahoma City Dodgers 9 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

The Chasers didn’t have much going for them on this night. The offensive squad went 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position while collecting just six hits as they dropped their third straight game.

Boxscore Link

Raul Mondesi 2-4 2b
Cam Gallagher 1-3 RBI
Ramon Torres 0-4 BB
Kevin Lenik 1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 2 K 26p/18k

NW Arkansas Naturals 4 Springfield Cardinals 2

Lefty Emilio Ogando gave the Double-A squad a fifth quality start in his last six opportunities at that level. The lefty worked seven innings while allowing just four hits, working the first four and two-thirds hitless until giving up a solo home run to Jacob Wilson. Despite that home run, Ogando continued his solid work to earn his ninth win for NW Arkansas and tenth overall.

The win was earned thanks to a four run third inning by the Naturals which featured an RBI single by Samir Duenez and a three run home run by Ryan O’Hearn.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 1-4 R, RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 2-3 HR, 3 RBI, BB
Emilio Ogando 7 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 K

Frederick Keys 5 Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Rocks lost a close game after Frederick plated a pair of runs in the seventh on a two out hit off reliever Justin Camp. The lefty uncorked a wild pitch earlier in the inning to push the two runners into scoring position prior to giving up the hit that scored two runs.

The Rocks pushed a runner into scoring position in each of the next two innings but failed to score in both to drop the game.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 1-3 R, BB

Lexington Legends 4 Rome Braves 0

Legends pitching kept the Braves Low-A squad at bay for the second night in a row to win the three game series.

Starter Anthony Bender hit the zone with 54 strikes on 80 pitches while striking out six hitters against just four hits and a walk. The righty worked around runners in scoring position in three of the six innings, only being forced to get more than one out in just the sixth though.

Reliever Arnaldo Hernandez dominated after Bender with three perfect innings to earn the save while the offense plated four runs with Gabe Cancel scoring two and driving in another.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 0-3 R, BB
Michael Gigliotti 1-4
Emmanuel Rivera 1-4
Gabe Cancel 2-4 2R, RBI
Anthony Bender 6 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 6 K 4-6 GO-FO 80p/54k

Ogden Raptors 13 Idaho Falls Chukars 6

A rough night for Janser Lara as the hard throwing starter gave up three home runs in the first inning. Those three long balls were part of the thirteen hits allowed in a nine run performance (6 ER). The one small bright spot for Lara was that he didn’t walk a hitter for just the second time in 22 minor league appearances.

Boxscore Link

Matt Morales 2-4 R, 2b, BB
Travis Jones 1-5 R, RBI
Janser Lara 5.2 IP 13 H 9 R 6 ER 0 BB 5 K 3 HR HBP WP 7-2 GO-FO

Princeton Rays 3 Burlington Royals 2

A pair of errors led to two Rays runs and a defeat of the Royals. A second inning error by Reed Rohlman pushed a runner to third base which led to a second run in the frame despite a double play that could’ve helped starter Sal Biasi get out of the inning later.

After the Royals had tied the game the Rays got the eventual winning run in the eighth after Jeison Guzman made a throwing error on a possible force out.

A pair of walks in the ninth put the tying run in scoring position for Burlington but a Jose Marquez ground out ended the night.

Boxscore Link

Sebastian Rivera 2-4 R
Seuly Matias 0-4
Jeison Guzman 1-3 BB

DSL Dodgers1 9 DSL Royals 0

Starter Adriam Castillo didn’t have much control for the strikezone in a short outing, walking four hitters and allowing three hits in a seven run outing. The offense collected just three hits and three walks in getting shutout.

Boxscore Link

Adriam Castillo 2.1 IP 3 H 7 R 7 ER 4 BB 2 K
Kember Nacero 0-2 2BB

HR Roll Call Samir Duenez (17), Khalil Lee (14)

BPKC Hitter of the Day Khalil Lee 2-3 2R, 3b, HR, BB, SB (19)

BPKC Pitcher of the Day Adriam Castillo 5 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 5 K 3-1 GO-FO

Omaha Storm Chasers 6 Iowa Cubs 5

The Chasers and Cubs walked a combined 14 hitters while also combining for 19 hits.With all that action on the bases, Omaha was able to outscore the Cubs squad by a run thanks in part to a four run second frame. In that inning, Brayan Pena plated a pair with a rbi single prior to Corey Toups driving him in and then later scoring on a wild pitch. The difference in the game ended up being a bases loaded walk in the eighth to Raul Mondesi.

Boxscore Link

Ramon Torres 1-4 R
Raul Mondesi 1-3 RBI, BB
Frank Schwindel 2-4 R, RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 2 Frisco RoughRiders 1

The Naturals scored just two runs on Friday but it was enough thanks to three pitchers holding Frisco at bay. Starter Zach Lovvorn worked around five hits to allow just one run in five and one-third innings. The righty who has gone back and forth between starting and the pen allowed a home run to Luis Marte but worked around everything else to hand the game to Matt Tenuta. Tied 1-1 Tenuta worked two and two-third scoreless, earning the win thanks to a solo home run provided by Samir Duenez in the sixth inning that gave NW Arkansas the lead.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 1-4 HR, CS (3)
Hunter Dozier 1-3 R, 2b
Paulo Orlando 2-3 BB

Wilmington Blue Rocks 4 Salem Red Sox 2

The Rocks received a quality start from Jace Vines with the ground ball expert earning 11 groundouts to help navigate around seven hits allowed. Three double plays by the defense helped Vines navigate his six and one-third innings with just two runs allowed.

The Rocks scored three runs in the third inning with a bases loaded two run single by Wander Franco and another rbi single by Brandon Downes. Outfielder Roman Collins singled in an insurance run in the seventh frame and reliever Franco Terrero shut the door from there.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 1-5 RBI
Nick Heath 1-2 2R, 3 BB, 2 SB (14)
Jace Vines 6.1 IP 7 H 2 R 1 ER 1 BB 2 K 11-4 GO-FO 104p/68k

Charleston RiverDogs 7 Lexington Legends 3 

For the second straight night, the Yankees Low-A team put up a big enough inning to take down Lexington. On this night it was the third frame with Charleston plating five runs off starter Anthony Bender, getting a pair of home runs in the inning to push the runs across. The righty gave up three home runs in his three innings including two by Steven Sensley the Yankees 12th round pick who has hit 12 home runs in just 40 games since being drafted.

The Legends offense was mostly provided by Khalil Lee, tripling and scoring in the first frame and hitting his fourteenth home run of the season in the sixth.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 2-3 2R, 3b, HR, BB, SB (19)
Cody Nesbit 2 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 31p/22k 0-3 GO-FO
Emmanuel Rivera 0-3 RBI, HBP
Michael Gigliotti 0-4 K

Idaho Falls Chukars 6 Great Falls Voyagers 3

The Chukars won a back and forth game after All Star Janser Lara left with a decent night on the mound. The hard throwing Dominican righty worked five and two-third innings, striking out four and giving up one run on two hits and four walks allowed.

Once he left the game the offenses got rolling with Idaho Falls grabbing three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on a pair of hits and an error.  The Voyagers bounced back for two runs but Idaho Falls answered those runs with two of their own to earn the 6-3 win.

Newcomer Brewer Hicklen had an rbi triple as part of the fun in that inning in his first Pioneer league game.

Boxscore Link

Brewer Hicklen 1-3 R, 3b, RBI, BB
Amalani Fukofuka 2-3 2R, Bb, SB (29)
Travis Jones 2-4 2R, 3b, SB (12)
Janser Lara 5.2 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 4 K 6-6 GO-FO

Pulaski Yankees 4 Burlington Royals 2

20-year-old Venezuelan born Andres Sotillet made his first Appalachian start on Friday. After struggling in the Pioneer League and then finding his footing in Arizona Sotillet had a mixed start in this one. Earning just one strikeout the right-handed pitcher had to work around seven hits including four that went for extra bases leaving him able to only avoid so much damage, allowing four runs on the night.

The four runs were enough for the Yankees to take the win as their pitching limited the Royals to two runs thanks in part to 12 strikeouts.

Boxscore Link

Cal Jones 1-4 R, 3K
Sebastian Rivero 2-4 1-1 CS/Att

AZL Rangers 6 AZL Royals 0

The Royals couldn’t connect on an extra base hit in nine innings and mounted just five singles in a shutout loss.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 1-3 BB
MJ Melendez 2-4

DSL Marlins 1 DSL Royals 0
DSL Marlins 5 DSL Royals 0

The Royals were shutout in a pair of games against the Marlins while ruining a pair of shutout starts and going a combined 0 for 14 with runners in scoring position.

Boxscore G1
Boxscore G2

HR Roll Call: Frank Schwindel (18), Logan Moon (8), Corey Toups (7), Meibrys Viloria (7), Yeison Melo (3), Benji Cash (1)

That’s a schweet schwing from @schwindiesel. pic.twitter.com/KCcWDq4CcS

— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) August 1, 2017

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Nathan Webb 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 5-4 GO-FO, 71p/44k

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Benji Cash 2-3, 2R, HR, 2b, 2 RBI, BB

Omaha Storm Chasers 9, Fresno Grizzlies 1

The Chasers offense got after Kent Emanuel early and often in their win Tuesday afternoon.  A Billy Burns triple to lead off the game got the festivities started and Dean Anna’s RBI single quickly made the game 1-0. After a pair of the Chasers loaded the bases with a Frank Schwindel single and Logan Moon walk, the bases were unloaded quickly when Corey Toups tattooed a ball 400 feet to left, putting Omaha up 5-0.

Those runs would prove to be plenty for Omaha starter Jake Junis. The righty breezed through six innings on 78 pitches, allowing just a solo home run to Tony Kemp. Home runs by Frank Schwindel and Logan Moon in the second pushed the score to 8-0 before Cheslor Cuthbert’s long ball in the sixth capped the scoring at 9-1.

Jake Junis Postgame Audio

Boxscore Link

Jake Junis 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 8-4 GO-FO, 78p/55k
Frank Schwindel 3-5, 2R, HR, 2 RBI
Jorge Soler 2-3, R, 2 BB
Cheslor Cuthbert 1-5, HR
Pedro Fernandez 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-3 GO-FO, 39p/28k

NW Arkansas Naturals 9, Arkansas Travelers 8

The Naturals earned Foster Griffin his eighth Double-A win and 12th win overall on the year thanks to an eight-run sixth inning. With the game tied at one, the Mariners farm club piled up four singles off of Griffin in the fifth to plate three runs and take a 4-1 lead. Fortunately for the Naturals, a pair of errors helped them keep the singles train moving as they connected on seven hits in the sixth, six of which that were singles to plate the eight runs in the inning.

The Travelers would pull within a run after four runs off reliever Tim Hill in the eighth, but the Naturals would close the door in the ninth to earn the win.

Boxscore Link

Nick Dini 3-4, R, 2b, 2 RBI
Samir Duenez 2-4, R, RBI
Foster Griffin 6.2 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 8-4 GO-FO, 101p/64k
Donnie Dewees 1-5, RBI
Nicky Lopez 0-5, R, RBI

Buies Creek Astros 6, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

The Astros scored four runs in the fifth inning off Cristian Castillo to open up a 2-1 game. A bases-loaded double by Jake Rogers plated a pair of runs and a run scoring sac fly and RBI single brought in the other two to push Wilmington down 6-1. The Rocks would threaten in the fifth inning with a double, but would fail to score. The bats then went silent with the final 13 Rocks failing to reach base.

Boxscore Link

Nick Heath 1-3, SB (15)
Brandon Downes 0-3, BB
Franco Terrero 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 5-3 GO-FO, 41p/28k

Lexington Legends 4, West Virginia Power 2

The Legends got another quality start from Anthony Bender in earning another win over West Virgina. The pitcher the Royals drafted last year in the 20th round attacked the strike zone with 72 strikes on his 99 pitches, striking out seven while allowing five hits. All the damage the Power did versus Bender came in the second inning when they piled up three hits to plate both runs.

While the Power wasn’t hitting the ball over the wall, the Legends were, getting a home run in the first by Yeison Melo to take a 2-0 lead and another two-run shot by Meibrys Viloria in the fourth inning to retake the lead. That would account for all the scoring in the game with Justin Camp shutting the door over the final three innings.

Boxscore Link

Anthony Bender 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 8-2 GO-FO, 99p/72k
Justin Camp 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 35p/24k
Khalil Lee 1-4, 3K, CS (16)
Emmanuel Rivera 1-3, R
Meibrys Viloria 1-3, HR, 2 RBI

Burlington Royals 7, Greeneville Astros 0

The Burlington squad broke open a scoreless game in the seventh inning, getting a two-run home run by Benji Cash to break the tie and then eventually piled on the offense. A wild pitch scored another in the seventh inning before a two-run single by Jesus Atencio and two-run double by Michael Gigliotti plated four in the eighth to push the game well out of reach. Reliever Connor Mayes earned the win by tossing the final three innings scoreless after starter Nathan Webb had given the team six shutout innings.

Boxscore Link

Nathan Webb 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 5-4 GO-FO, 71p/44k
Michael Gigliotti 2-5, 2b, 2 RBI, CS (4)
Jeison Guzman 1-3, 2b, 2K
Seuly Matias 1-4

DSL Royals 7, DSL Braves 4 F/10

The Royals scored four runs in the tenth inning to take command and eventually defeat the Braves on Tuesday. Entering the inning with just three hits, the team doubled their total and took two walks to plate those runs with Felix Familia providing the big blow with a two-out two-run double.

Boxscore Link

Reynin Reynoso 0-3, R, 2 BB

HR Roll Call Frank Schwindel (13), Donnie Dewees (8), Wander Franco (4), Darrell Miller (2), Brewer Hicklen (2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day Travis Jones 5-6 2R, 2b, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day Anthony Bender 6 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 2 Bb 7 K 4-5 GO-FO 78p/52k 

Omaha Storm Chasers 7 El Paso Chihuahuas 6 

The Chasers offense got things going early before attempting to hang on late. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn kept his hot hitting going with his fourth multi-hit game in a row, doubling in a pair of runs in the first inning. After a single run in the second, it was O’Hearn’s single in the third frame that came in front of Cam Gallagher’s single and Frank Schwindel’s three run home run to put Omaha up 6-0.

After five scoreless innings, Eric Skoglund ran into trouble in the sixth, giving up three runs on a solo home run and three consecutive singles. With the Chasers needing inning the lefty worked seven before a two run home run in the eighth ended his outing. Luckily a sac fly by Gallagher had given him an insurance run and Kyle Zimmer worked the final two frames perfectly to earn the save.

Boxscore Link 

Kyle Zimmer 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 1 K 29p/18k
Jorge Soler 2-5 R
Cam Gallagher 1-4 R, RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 3-4 R 2-2b 2 RBI, BB

NW Arkansas Naturals 2 Tulsa Drillers 1

Three Naturals pitchers limited Tulsa to just one run in stopping their six game losing streak. Starter Corey Ray allowed a solo home run over his six innings, breaking his personal three decision losing streak. Both Naturals runs were scored in the fifth inning the first on a Donnie Dewees home run and the second on a two out single by Nicky Lopez that brought in Alfredo Escalera. Relievers Richard Lovelady and Jake Newberry finished off the final three innings with Newberry earning his league leading fifteenth save.

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Donnie Dewees 1-2 HR, BB
Nicky Lopez 1-4 RBI
Paulo Orlando 2-4
Samir Duenez 0-4
Richard Lovelady 2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 2-0 GO-FO 28p/17k

Frederick Keys 5 Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

A second inning grand slam gave up by Cristian Castillo pretty much did in Wilmington. The Rocks got within 5-3 but went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position to drop the game.

Boxscore Link

Wander Franco 2-3 3R, HR, BB
Nick Heath 2-3 2b, BB, CS (2)
Cristian Castillo 5.2 IP 5 H 5 R 5 ER 2 BB 5 K 91p/53k 3-7 GO-FO

Lexington Legends 2 Columbia Fireflies 1

Lexington’s Anthony Bender was outstanding in his start Friday night, working six no hit innings in the process. After walking a hitter in the second inning and another in the third Bender got rolling, retiring the last eleven hitters he would face. Attacking the zone with his fastball and slider Bender would put away seven hitters with strikeouts. Leaving with a 2-0 lead and a no-hitter reliever Kevin Lenik would quickly give up the no-no, allowing a home run to the first hitter he would face. He would steady from there, getting out of the seventh and eighth innings with the lead before turning things to Vance Tatum who closed things out.

Boxscore Link

Anthony Bender 6 Ip 0 H 0 R 2 BB 7 K
Khalil Lee 0-3 RBI, BB
Emmanuel Rivera 2-4

Idaho Falls Chukars 13 Helena Brewers 1

The Chukars bats broke loose for 16 hits, acquired 11 walks and scored 13 runs in a Friday blowout. The three Idaho Falls pitchers combined to limit Helena to just one run on nine hits while six different Chukars had multi-hit games with newcomer Travis Jones pacing the squad with five hits.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 5-6 2R, 2b, 2 RBI
Amalani Fukofuka 2-5 3R, RBI, BB, SB (19)

Burlington Royals 4 Bristol Pirates 0

After setting a franchise record for shutouts in 2016 it took the ’17 squad until game 28 to earn their first. A pair of ’16 and ’17 draftees combined to earn their first as Nathan Webb tossed six scoreless innings while working around four hits and a walk before giving way to Jordan Floyd. The K-State product worked the final three innings scoreless to earn the save while matching the five strikeouts by Webb. The offense manufactured four runs for the win, getting five errors in contribution from the Pirates.

Boxscore Link

Michael Gigliotti 2-5 RBI, SB (7)
Cal Jones 2-4
Nathan Webb 6 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 5 K 83p/52k

AZL Royals 6 AZL Indians 4

Designated hitter Brewer Hicklen hit a two run home run in the eighth to break a 4-4 tie for the Royals. Over his last three games, the hot hitting UAB alum has 10 hits in his last 12 at bats with two doubles, a triple and a home run in that time.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 1-4 3b, RBI
Nick Pratto 0-4 R
MJ Melendez 1-3 2R, 2b, BB
Brewer Hicklen 3-4 2b, HR, 2 RBI

DSL Royals 4 DSL Dodgers 0

The Royals limited the Dodgers to just three hits while capitalizing on two of their four hits.  Catcher Felix Familia doubled in a run in the seventh and then raced home on a double steal later in the inning. An inning later a two out single plated the Royals fourth run of the game.

Boxscore Link

Felix Familia 2-3 R, 2-2b, 2 RBI
Adriam Castillo 6 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K

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 Samir Duenez (8), Nick Dini (3), Gabe Cancel (5)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Nick Dini 3-3 HR

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Anthony Bender 3 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K 1-6 GO-FO 45/29k

Nashville Sounds 4 Omaha Storm Chasers 0 

Nashville starter Chris Smith combined with three Sounds relievers to no-hit the Omaha Storm Chasers on Wednesday night.

The Chasers offense didn’t threaten much the entire night as Smith worked six innings on 93 pitches, earning four strikeouts and seven groundouts before turning things to the bullpen. That pen featuring rehabbing Sean Doolittle worked three perfect innings before Simon Castro walked Ruben Sosa in the ninth. That walk would play no factor after Raul Mondesi and Jorge Soler would each groundout to finish the no-hitter.

Omaha’s Christian Binford took the loss after giving up four runs in five and one-third innings on seven hits. A day after Nashville, the league’s top home run hitting team, touched up Josh Staumont for four home runs they would send two out off Binford.

It was the first no-hitter at Werner Park and the first one versus an Omaha club since 2001.

Boxscore Link

Seth Manness 1 IP 0 H 0 BB 1 K
Raul Mondesi 0-3 BB
Christian Binford 5.1 IP 7 H 4 R 4 ER 3 BB 5 K 2 HR 5-3 GO-FO 102p/62k

Game 2
NW Arkansas Naturals 5 Springfield Cardinals 4 F/7

The Naturals made a final inning comeback to take the second game of their doubleheader with Springfield.

A solo home run from Nick Dini and a two-run job by Samir Duenez gave NW Arkansas a 3-2 lead at the end of the third inning. That lead held up until the fifth when rehabbing reliever Andrew Edwards gave up a pair of runs when he allowed a couple singles, hit a batter and walked another. The second run came in via a bases-loaded walk from reliever Tim Hill who was trying to get the Naturals out of the jam.

Down one run in the final inning, Duenez reached with a one out single. After a second out Donnie Dewees and Humberto Arteaga each singled, the second of which tied the game. Outfielder Logan Moon would walk to load the bases and setting up Alfredo Escalera. The outfielder came through with an infield single to the right side which allowed Dewees to score and walk things off for NW Arkansas.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 2-4 HR, 2 RBI
Donnie Dewees 2-4 R
Humberto Arteaga 2-4 RBI

Game 1
Springfield Cardinals 5 NW Arkansas Naturals 1 F/7

Lefty Emilio Ogando got off to a rough start in game one of the doubleheader, allowing four runs in the first. After a leadoff walk, the Cardinals Magneuris Sierra doubled to put a pair in scoring position. A pair of flyball outs gave the appearance that Ogando may get out of the inning with just one run allowed but a two out single brought in Sierra before a two run home run by Alex Mejia gave Springfield the four spot.

Those runs proved to be plenty with the Naturals getting just two runs on a two out single by Mauricio Ramos in the fifth inning.

Boxscore Link

Corey Toups 1-3 R, SB
Emilio Ogando 6 IP 8 H 5 R 4 ER 1 BB 3 K 4-5 GO-FO 92p/59k
Mauricio Ramos 1-2 2 RBI

Columbia Fireflies 5 Lexington Legends 1

The Legends didn’t have much luck facing off against Mets pitching prospect Merandy Gonzalez on Wednesday afternoon.

The starter improved to 8-1 while pushing his ERA to 1.56 with just six innings of shutout ball while allowing just three Lexington singles and a walk while on the hill. Lexington starter Garrett Davila couldn’t match that output on his end, allowing 10 hits in five innings including five doubles which allowed Columbia to push five runs across.

The lone Legends run came via a ninth inning home run by Gabe Cancel, his fifth of the season.

Boxscore Link

Garett Davila 5 IP 10 H 5 R 5 ER 1 BB 1 K 3-5 GO-FO 95p/61k
Gabe Cancel 2-4 HR
Manny Olloque 2-4

DSL Marlins 6 DSL Royals 3

The DSL Royals dropped their first game of the season despite taking a 3-1 lead after four innings.

That lead was built on bases clearing double from Rubendy Jaquez that gave the Royals a two run lead. The Marlins answered back with a pair of runs in the fifth and the Royals bullpen couldn’t hold things down, giving up three more runs in the loss.

Boxscore Link 

Rubendy Jaquez 1-3 2b, 3 RBI
Felix Familia 1-4 R
Reynin Reynosa 2-3 BB