BPKC Hitter of the Day: Dennicher Carrasco 2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jason Adam 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 4-0 GO-FO, 31p/23k

Transactions
Kansas City – Optioned Scott Barlow as 26th man from Omaha.
NW Arkansas – Clayton Buchholz assigned to the Naturals.
NW Arkansas – Corey Ray placed on the Idaho Falls roster.

Hickory Crawdads 18, Lexington Legends 6

Things got away from the Legends and their pitching staff in a major way Tuesday night. Starter Nolan Watson got tagged for 11 runs (10 ER) in just two innings of work, allowing nine hits and a pair of walks as the Rangers Low-A squad jumped all over him. Things didn’t get much better for the bullpen; three other relievers each gave up at least one run with Julio Pinto and Sal Biasi each getting tagged for multiple runs. On the bright side, Seuly Matias hit his fifth home run of the year, and third baseman Dennicher Carrasco broke up a 0-24 slump with a pair of home runs.

Seuly Matias: 1-4, 2R, HR
Nick Pratto: 1-4, R
MJ Melendez: 1-4, R, RBI

@JasonPennini on Seuly Matias HR

Carolina Mudcats 7, Wilmington Blue Rocks 4

The Rocks offense couldn’t get much rolling until the ninth, but by that time it was too little, too late, in a defeat. Starter Jace Vines’ continued his struggles, giving up ten hits and seven runs in just three innings as the sinkerballer struggled to get the ball to the bottom of the zone for strikes. The bullpen held serve after Vines lef,t but Carolina countered with shutout ball from starter Trey Supak over five innings before Luke Barker limited the Rocks to one hit in three innings. Trailing 7-0 into the ninth, the Rocks finally got things going with an RBI single by Chris DeVito, a two-run double by Meibrys Viloria and another run-scoring hit by Kort Peterson. The bases were loaded for Gabe Cancel with two outs but he failed to connect, striking out to end the rally.

Khalil Lee: 1-3, BB
Rudy Martin: 1-3, BB, SB (11)
Meibrys Viloria: 2-4, 2b, 2 RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 2, San Antonio Missions 0

The Naturals received an outstanding pitching performance by their staff as four pitchers limited the Padres squad to just three hits. Starter Clayton Buchholz struckout five in 4.2 innings against just one hit and a pair of walks in his first start. The former Red Sox righty pounded the zone with 56 strikes on 77 pitches before handing things over to the bullpen. The relievers followed with a scoreless effort, with Jason Adam leading the way with perfect ball over 2.1 innings. A double by Donnie Dewees scored Samir Duenez from first in the seventh to give NW Arkansas the lead before Salvador Perez singled in a run in the eighth. Closer Jake Newberry closed out the effort with a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the year.

Salvador Perez: 1-4, RBI
Samir Duenez:  1-4, R
Clayton Buchholz: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 4-2 GO-FO, 77p/56k

Omaha Storm Chasers 4, Memphis Redbirds 3 – F/10

The Chasers struggled to push runners across once again, going 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position before yielding a late lead to send their game extra innings. Starter Jonathan Dziedzic navigated through seven innings with seven hits and two walks allowed, giving up just one run. The lefty was given the lead when Frank Schwindel singled in a run in the first and Nick Dini doubled in Hunter Dozier in the fourth. That slim 2-1 lead stood up until the ninth when Mike Broadway gave up an RBI double to Carson Kelly that allowed Oscar Mercado to score. The game went to extra innings which means the new rule of a runner being put on second base to start the inning was instituted. The Redbirds scored one in their half against Richard Lovelady with a Mercado two-out single, but the Chasers countered by loading the bases a pair of times, scoring on a Schwindel sac fly before eventually bringing in the winning run on a Jack Lopez bases-loaded walk.

Hunter Dozier: 1-3, R, 2b, 2 BB
Ryan O’Hearn: 1-3, 2 BB
Jon Dziedzic: 7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 8-5 GO-FO, 102p/60k

Boxscores for Tuesday games

Wednesday Probables
Omaha – Unknown
Wilmington – Gerson Garabito 0-1, 1.50 ERA 0.67 WHIP
Lexington – Garrett Davila 0-0, 3.12 ERA 1.73 WHIP

HR Roll Call: Samir Duenez (16), Emmanuel Rivera (12)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Emmanuel Rivera 2-4, HR, 3 RBI  

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Carlos Hernandez 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 94p/60k, 6-4 GO-FO 

Memphis Redbirds 3, Omaha Storm Chasers 2 F/13

The Chasers lost to Memphis for the fourth game in a row and the second one in as many nights in extra innings. Starter Eric Skoglund put together one of his best starts at Triple-A. He worked seven innings, while tying a season high nine strikeouts and holding Memphis to four hits and a pair of runs.

The offense scored just two runs after being limited with runners in scoring position to just 1 for 8 and grounding into three double plays. Reliever Seth Maness took the loss after giving up three consecutive singles in the twelfth inning.

Boxscore Link

Raul Mondesi 0-4, 2K
Ryan O’Hearn 1-5, R, 2b, K
Frank Schwindel 2-6, 2K
Eric Skoglund 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 7-3 GO-FO, 112p/80k
Sam Selman 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 3-1 GO-FO, 44p/30k

Midland RockHounds 4, NW Arkansas Naturals 2

The Naturals offense was limited to just six hits in a loss to Midland. Starter Corey Ray took his tenth loss of the season after giving up four runs in 5.1 innings. Whether he struggled with his control or just wanted to avoid the hard hitting that he has been receiving of late, Ray struggled to throw strikes. He hit the zone with just 46 of 94 pitches while walking five hitters.

The only run was provided on Samie Duenez’s sixteenth home run of the season.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 K
Anderson Miller 1-3, 2b, K
Paulo Orlando 1-4, R, K
Nicky Lopez 0-4
Donnie Dewees 0-3, 2 BB, K

Wilmington Blue Rocks 5, Down East Wood Ducks 2 F/10

The Blue Rocks salvaged the final game versus the Down East Wood Ducks with a comeback win. Starter Scott Blewett navigated seven innings, allowing two runs (1 ER) on six hits and a pair of walks, while his defense committed errors behind him. The team as a whole made five errors on the night and amassed just three hits, but Down East’s only error in the game allowed Wilmington to tie the game 2-2 in the sixth.

The Wilmington pitching staff kept the Rangers affiliate off the board after the second inning while navigating around the sketchy defense. In the tenth, the Rocks walked the bases loaded before scoring three runs to blow the game open on the way to the win.

Boxscore Link

Scott Blewett 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 108p/71k, 10-6 GO-FO
Nick Heath 1-4, R, RBI, BB
Brandon Downes 0-4, 3K

Charleston River Dogs 7, Lexington Legends 4

The Legends jumped out to a 4-0 lead as starter Gerson Garabito was tossing up zeros until he ran into his pitch count and had to leave at 4.2 innings. From that point, things didn’t go so well as the Legends offense went hitless from a third inning single by Khalil Lee until Lee hit another single in the ninth. Meanwhile, the Yankees affiliate scored seven runs off of Travis Eckert in the sixth inning to take hold of the game and eventually win.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 2-3, 2R
Gerson Garabito 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 61p/37k
Emmanuel Rivera 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
Gabe Cancel 1-4, R, 2b

Pulaski Yankees 5, Burlington Royals 1

The Royals offense ruined a solid start by Carlos Hernandez with a 1 for 7 effort with runners in scoring position. The 20-year-old pitcher tossed seven innings of one run ball with nine strikeouts, allowing just a seventh inning run on a balk call. After the Royals tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, the Yankees got after reliever Yerelmy Garcia for four runs to distance themselves in the game.

Outfielder Seuly Matias slump continued with an 0 for 4 game with three strikeouts. The power prospect is now 3 for his last 43 with 21 strikeouts.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 0-4, 3K
Cal Jones 1-4 R
Carlos Hernandez 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 94p/60k, 6-4 GO-FO

AZL Royals 3, AZL Padres 2

The Royals received solid outings from four different pitchers to earn a win over the Padres. Starter Malcolm Van Buren allowed just a two-run home run in his four innings, striking out five before turning the game over to the relievers. Those three, Carter Hope (2 IP), Jackson Klein (1.2), and Michael Austin (1.1), worked scoreless relief to hold the lead.

The offense scored a pair of runs in the first on wild pitches and added a run in the second on an RBI single by Rafael Romero

Boxscore Link

Angel Medina 1-4,, R, 3b, 3K
Nick Pratto 1-4, SB (9)
Malcolm Van Buren 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 3-3 GO-FO

DSL Red Sox 7, DSL Royals 6 F/13

The Royals lost in the bottom of the thirteenth inning when the Sox scored the game-winning run off a Braulio Nunez balk. The Royals squad lost four different leads in the game, including a two run lead in the bottom of the ninth and leads in both the twelfth and thirteenth innings. Starter Delvin Capellan only worked three innings, but in usual fashion didn’t allow a run, pushing his scoreless streak to 24 consecutive innings.

Boxscore Link

Delvin Capellan 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1-0 GO-FO
Kember Nacero 2-5, K

HR Roll Call: Corey Toups (6), Roman Collins (7), Emmanuel Rivera (10)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Emmanuel Rivera 3-7, 2R, HR, 2b

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Kevin Lenik 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-2 GO-FO, 33p/21k
Read about Kevin’s story here 

Fresno Grizzlies 6, Omaha Storm Chasers 4

The Chasers bullpen allowed a tie game get away from them at home against Fresno. The Chasers went just 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position, limiting them to just the four runs in the game. As is the case on most nights lately for Omaha, Frank Schwindel did much of the heavy lifting driving in a pair of runs and scoring another. The designated hitter extended his hit streak to 17 games with his 3 for 4 night. Reliever Sam Selman gave up a run in the eighth and another in the ninth that the offense couldn’t answer to drop the game.

Boxscore Link 

Ryan O’Hearn 0-5
Frank Schwindel 3-4, R, 2b, 2 RBI
Jorge Soler 0-5
Eric Skoglund 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 4-4 GO-FO, 100p/59k

Arkansas Travelers 11, NW Arkansas Naturals 5 

Starter Corey Ray’s struggles continued with eight runs (6 ER) allowed on 12 hits and a pair of walks in just 4.1 innings. The righty has given up 42 hits and 27 runs in 29.2 innings in July while striking out only 19 hitters. The Naturals offense couldn’t keep pace, scoring five runs to drop another game.

Boxscore Link

Donnie Dewees 3-5, 2b, RBI
Nicky Lopez 1-5, RBI, CS
Anderson Miller 2-4, R
Samir Duenez 0-5
Richard Lovelady 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, HR

Buies Creek Astros 4, Wilmington Blue Rocks 2

The Rocks mustered just four hits, dropping another game in Wilmington. Outfielder Roman Collins provided the only runs of the game for Wilmington with his seventh home run of the season. The Astros High-A club scored a pair of runs in the ninth to break the tie and take a win.

Boxscore Link

Walker Sheller 0.2 IP, 2 K
D.J. Burt 1-4, CS (13)
Brandon Downes 0-3, 2K

Lexington Legends 5, West Virginia Power 2
Lexington Legends 2, West Virginia Power 1

The Legends got off the schneid with a doubleheader win over the Low-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. In the first game, the Legends got the offense rolling with nine hits, including a pair by Vance Vizcaino, with the Royals scout’s son scoring two of the five runs and driving in another to lead the squad.

Starter Gerson Garabito tossed three scoreless innings in his return to Lexington, striking out two and giving up just one hit in his three innings. An unearned run scored in the fifth, but they countered with a RBI single by Yeison Melo in the sixth and a walkoff single by Angelo Castellanos in the bottom off the seventh.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Gerson Garabito 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2K, 4-1 GO-FO, 39p/30k
Emmanuel Rivera 3-7, 2R, HR, 2b
Khalil Lee 1-3, RBI

Greeneville Astros 6, Burlington Royals 1

The Royals scored a run in the first before letting things go in the fifth and later. Starter Sal Biasi got through four innings scoreless before running into difficulties in the fifth, allowing a run to score on a wild pitch and three consecutive singles before exiting. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, giving up three runs, while the offense was put on ice after that first inning run.

Boxscore Link

Tyler Zuber 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-1 GO-FO, 27p/19k
Michael Gigliotti 1-3, R, BB, SB (13)
Seuly Matias 0-3, RBI, 2 K
Jeison Guzman 0-4, hitting just .164

AZL Rangers 7, AZL Royals 0

The Royals were shutout and newcomer Marlin Willis gave up his first runs as a pro, allowing two runs to score on four hits. First round draft pick Nick Pratto connected on his ninth double since joining the squad.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 1-3, 2b, BB
MJ Melendez 1-4, 2K
Marlin Willis 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 5-0 GO-FO
Kelvin Gonzalez 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2-0 GO-FO

DSL Royals 3, DSL Braves 2

The Royals walked the game off after giving away their ninth inning lead. First baseman Rubendy Jacquez doubled and scored  on an Edickson Soto single to win the game for the Royals.

Boxscore Link

Ismaldo Rodriguez 0-3, BB
Adan Frias 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 5-0 GO-FO

HR Roll Call: None

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Darrell Miller 5-6 2R, 2b

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jared Ruxer 6.2 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 7 K 4-7 GO-FO 101p/63k

AZL Royals 4 AZL White Sox 3 

The Arizona squad walked things off in the ninth after giving up the lead earlier in that inning. Starter Gerson Garabito, working his way back from the DL, gave up a first inning two run home run to major league rehabber Leury Garcia in the first inning. The Royals came back with three runs of their own with a sac fly in the fourth and a pair of doubles in the fifth leading to two runs.

That lead held up until the ninth when Garcia connected on a single to drive in the tying run. That Royals quickly rebounded in their half of the ninth getting a Tyler James triple and a Nick Pratto sacrifice fly to walk the game off.

Boxscore Link

Gerson Garabito 2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 1 K 4-0 GO-FO
Nick Pratto 0-2 RBI 2BB, K, SB (7)
MJ Melendez 0-3 RBI, BB, K, 1-1 CS/Att
Isaiah Henry 2-3 R, 2b, BB, CS (3), OF Assist

Burlington Royals 10 Johnson City Cardinals 6 F/10

The Royals took a 6-2 lead into the ninth, but two errors and three groundball singles off closer Tyler Zuber led to Johnson City tying the game. Fortunately for Burlington, Johnson City returned the favor by making an error that allowed the Royals to retake the lead and open the door to a four run inning. This time Zuber closed the door with that lead.

Boxscore Link

Tyler Zuber 2 IP 3 H 4 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K 4-1 GO-FO 37p/27k
Sal Biasi 5 IP 2 H 2 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 1 HR 3-3 GO-FO 98p/60k
Michael Gigliotti 2-4 2R, RBI, BB, 2 SB (9) has a .474 OBP

Idaho Falls Chukars 15 Missoula Osprey 12 F/10

The Chukars tried to give away a huge lead but bounced back in extras to earn a series win in Missoula. Starter Janser Lara struggled with control, walking five in three and two-third innings while giving up three runs in that time. Despite those struggles, Idaho Falls had built a 12-5 lead after just five innings. The bullpen couldn’t hold that lead, giving up seven runs from the sixth through eighth innings to tie the game and eventually send it to extras.

In extra innings, the Chukars got their offense back rolling with three runs on hits by Travis Jones, Freddy Fermin, and Cristhian Vasquez. Reliever Josh Mitchell closed it out to earn the win, tossing two and one-third scoreless innings in the game.

Boxscore Link

Josh Mitchell 2.1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K 2-1 GO-FO 37p/24k
Janser Lara 3.2 IP 3 H 3 R 3 ER 5 BB 4 K 3-2 GO-FO 83p/45k
Travis Jones 1-5 R, 2b, 3 RBI

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Salem Red Sox 2 

The Rocks finished off the Red Sox on Wednesday to earn a four game sweep of the High-A club. A Nick Heath double followed later by a Travis Maezes sac fly gave Wilmington a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After a Red Sox run in the second, the Rocks took control of the game with a three run inning. Again it was Heath scoring, this time on a Roman Collins double before the Rocks would score runs on a Jonathan McCray sac fly and bases loaded walk to Jecksson Flores.

Those runs would serve to be plenty for Jared Ruxer and staff as the right spun six and two-thirds scoreless before the pen gave a couple up in the ninth following a pair of insurance runs by the offense. The Blue Rocks currently stand two games behind Salem for second place.

Boxscore Link

Nick Heath 3-5 2R, 2b, SB (14)
Chase Vallot 1-1 R, 2b
Chris DeVito 1-4 R, BB

Arkansas Travelers 6 NW Arkansas Naturals 4

Starter Corey Ray’s struggles continued and the Naturals lack of power continued to haunt them in a loss to Arkansas. In three innings of work, Ray gave up six runs (5ER) including a three run home run in the third. While the NW Arkansas lineup could must just one extra base hit among their ten. A three run eighth inning provide most of the offense in the loss.

Boxscore Link

Yunior Marte 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 2 K 4-2 GO-FO 56p/34k
Nicky Lopez 2-4 R, 2b
Donnie Dewees 2-5 R
Anderson Miller 1-3 BB

Albuquerque Isotopes 13 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

A rough one for the Chasers on Wednesday night in Albuquerque. Starter Eric Skoglund and reliever Pedro Fernandez were each tagged for six runs, Fernandez’s damage came in just one inning of work during a lopsided game. The one bright spot for the Chasers was that Frank Schwindel stayed hot, going 3 for 4 with a double and the only RBI in the game for Omaha.

Boxscore Link

Frank Schwindel 3-4 2b, RBI
Eric Skoglund 5 IP 8 H 6 R 5 ER 5 BB 1 K 4-6 GO-FP 92p/54k
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3 BB

HR Roll Call: Gabe Cancel (10), Joe Dudek (5), Robby Rinn (3), Seuly Matias (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Gabe Cancel 2-3, 2R, HR, 2b, 2BB, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Franco Terrero 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1-2 GO-FO

San Antonio Missions 2, NW Arkansas Naturals 0

The Royals received Rule 5 pick, Glenn Sparkman, back from Toronto after he struggled in his brief relief role. It should be intriguing to see if the Royals keep him in that position or move him back to starting, which he has done primarily with the Kansas City minor league clubs. In this one, the Naturals failed to push a run across despite plenty of opportunities, going 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Starter Corey Ray took the loss, despite just two runs allowed in six innings.

Boxscore Link

Nicky Lopez 1-3, 2 BB, SB (17)
Samir Duenez 0-4, BB, K
Anderson Miller 1-4, hitting .302 at Double-A
Corey Ray 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3-7 GO-FO, 87p/55k, E (pickoff)
Glenn Sparkman 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-3 GO-FO, 32p/21k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7, Potomac Nationals 3

A two-run double by Roman Collins in the sixth gave Wilmington a lead they built on to secure a series win over Potomac. Starter A.J. Puckett earned the win after allowing three runs over five innings, giving up a two-run home run to Taylor Gushue in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the fifth to Austin Davidson. Wilmington’s D.J. Burt singled in a pair in the ninth, stole a base and scored on a throwing error.

Boxscore Link

D.J. Burt 1-4, R, BB, 2 RBI, SB (27)
Chris DeVito 0-4, K
Chase Vallot 1-2, R, 2 BB
A.J. Puckett 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 6-4 GO-FO
Franco Terrero 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1-2 GO-FO

Emmanuel Rivera, Meibrys Viloria and Gabe Cancel (Photo David Rearic)

Greenville 8, Lexington Legends 7

For the second time this year, the Legends got after first round pick Jason Groome, scoring four runs (3 ER) in 2.1 innings off the lefty, but this time were unable to hang onto the lead. After establishing a 4-1 lead, Legends lefty Garrett Davila struggled, giving up seven runs (5 ER) on 10 hits in five innings. A late solo home run off Anthony Bender proved to be the winning margin as the Legends scored a run in the ninth but stranded the bases loaded.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 0-3, K, ejected
Gabe Cancel 2-3, 2R, HR, 2b, 2BB, 2 RBI
Emmanuel Rivera 2-5, R
Meibrys Viloria 3-5, 2 RBI, 0-1 SB/Att

Danville Braves 4, Burlington Royals 3

The Royals got a game-tying home run from Seuly Matias in the seventh, but for the second day in a row stranded a runner in scoring position with no outs late. And for the second night in a row, it was Isranel Wilson connecting on the game-winning hit, this time an inside the park home run in the seventh was the difference maker.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 3-5, HR, 2 RBI
Michael Gigliotti 1-3, R, BB
Sebastian Rivero 0-5, 2K

Orem Owlz 8, Idaho Falls Chukars 4 

Julio Pinto hit a batter and walked six in the first inning while recording one out and hitting the zone 17 times on 43 pitches. That inning put the Chukars behind 4-0 and from there the teams played to a 4-4 tie.

Boxscore Link

Robby Rinn 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
Julio Pinto 0.1 IP, 0 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 0 K, 0-1 GO-FO, 43p/17k
Vance Vizcaino 2-4, R, RBI, 2 SB (9)

AZL Reds 11, AZL Royals 4

A rough first appearance from third round pick Dan Tillo, as the lefty was able to retire just two hitters while giving up five runs on five hits. The loss was the sixth in a row for the Royals squad who have struggled to pitch at the rookie levels. Starter Malcolm Van Buren was slightly better in this start, earning two Ks and giving up two runs in three innings as he continues to build back from Tommy John.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 0-5, 2K, E (5)
Esteury Ruiz 2-5, 2R, 3b, RBI, SB (5), E (1)
MJ Melendez 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Charlie Neuweiler 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 5-0 GO-FO
Malcolm Van Buren 2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2-2 GO-FO
Dan Tillo 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1-0 GO-FO

DSL Marlins 4, DSL Royals 3

The Royals lost in extra innings again, this time as they failed to push their free runner across in the tenth and eleventh innings.

Boxscore Link

Reynin Reynoso 1-6, RBI

HR Roll Call: Garin Cecchini (3), Donnie Dewees (5)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Donnie Dewees 2-4, 2R, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, SB (8)

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Corey Ray 9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 13-6 GO-FO, 88p/60k

Omaha Storm Chasers 4, Nashville Sounds 2

Starter Luke Farrell tied a career high in strikeouts while the Chasers scored some late runs to take home a win over the Sounds.

After watching the Sounds knock six home runs off Omaha starters the last two nights, Farrell kept the ball in the park, allowing two runs on seven hits in his 6.2 innings. Those seven hits were limited to just two runs thanks to 10 strikeouts by the starter as he pounded the zone with 77 strikes on a career-high 116 pitches before leaving with his team trailing.

The Chasers would quickly get their starter off the hook, getting a two-out ground rule double from Raul Mondesi that was quickly cashed in on an error on a ball off the bat of Jorge Soler. Back to back singles by Ryan O’Hearn and Bubba Starling would score Soler to give Omaha 3-2 lead after seven innings.

The Chasers would tack on an insurance run in the eighth on a Garin Cecchini solo home run before reliever Malcom Culver closed things out in the ninth.

Boxscore Link

Luke Farrell 6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 10 K, 3-4 GO-FO, 116p/77k
Raul Mondesi 2-5, R, 2b
Bubba Starling 1-4, RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 5, Springfield Cardinals 0

The Naturals jumped on Springfield early and received a terrific effort on the mound to pull within one game of the first-place Cardinals.

The Naturals first two hitters in the lineup, Jack Lopez and Humberto Arteaga, both singled to start the game. After Lopez advanced to third on Arteaga’s single he was brought home via the groundout from Corey Toups to give NW Arkansas the 1-0 lead. A Mauricio Ramos single pushed Arteaga 90 feet away, from where he would score on a wild pitch. With the Cardinals starter wavering, Donnie Dewees would double up the score with his fifth home run of the year.

Those runs would be all that righty Corey Ray would need. Working his first complete game of his career, Ray kept the ball on the ground and navigated around just four hits. The Cardinals had just five at-bats with a runner in scoring position, going hitless while the former Aggie didn’t walk a hitter for the first time this season.

The Naturals tacked on a run in the eighth while their starter used just 88 pitches to complete the game and put his squad in position to even the standings tomorrow night.

Boxscore Link

Jack Lopez 2-3, R
Corey Toups 1-4, R, RBI
Mauricio Ramos 1-4, R

Wilmington Blue Rocks 4, Buies Creek Astros 3 F/15

The Blue Rocks needed extra innings to take game one with the High-A farm club of the Astros Thursday night.

Shortstop Nicky Lopez helped Wilmington to a 2-0 advantage early. The rising prospect walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error before scoring on a wild pitch in the first. One inning later, it was a Lopez triple that pushed the advantage to two runs.

Starter Colin Rodgers worked five scoreless, allowing just a pair of a singles and two walks. The lefty put away four Astros with strikeouts and six with groundouts in the process, placing himself in a position to earn the win. That wouldn’t happen unfortunately, as lefty reliever Jacob Bodner struggled in his two innings, giving up three runs on five hits to put the Rocks behind 3-2.

That score would remain until the bottom of the ninth when an error and a pair of back to back singles helped the Rocks tie the game.

The two offenses would be put on ice for the next five innings until the bottom of the 15th. Still tied at three, the Rocks would get a one out single by Jecksson Flores to kickstart their inning. The infielder was pushed into scoring position on a walk of Chase Vallot. From there, Flores would come racing home on a Roman Collins double to walk things off for Wilmington.

Boxscore Link

Richard Lovelady 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 2-0 GO-FO, 47p/33k
Nicky Lopez 2-6, R, 3b, BB, RBI, 2SB(13)
Colin Rodgers 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 6-4 GO-FO, 86p/47k

Columbia Fireflies 8, Lexington Legends 0

The Legends didn’t have much going well in Columbia Thursday night in getting swept.

The offense put together just four singles while getting shut out, and the pitching staff was knocked around for 12 hits. Starter Travis Eckert took the loss, allowing four runs in four innings including a home run by Dash Willingham. The bullpen didn’t fare much better with Arnaldo Hernandez giving up a second home run to Willingham, and Geoffrey Bramblett allowing three runs to finish off the game.

Boxscore Link

Vance Tatum 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 14p/9k
Angelo Castellano 2-4
Rudy Martin 1-3

DSL Royals 3, DSL Rays1 2 f/10

The DSL Royals won a game in extra innings over the Rays squad to improve to 4-1.

The Royals took a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning after a Brayant Aponte double that scored Edickson Soto. The Rays quickly answered in the eighth, scoring a run on a Royals throwing error.

The game went to extras where the new rule of starting a runner on second base was employed. The Royals, in their half on defense, quickly cut down the runner from second on a fielder’s choice when the catcher, Felix Familia, tossed out a runner at third. Back to back errors followed though, and the Rays took a lead on a single.

Trailing by one, the Royals started their inning with a sac bunt that was good enough to allow the runner to reach first. A hit by pitch and a sac fly error allowed the Royals to even the score and load the bases once again. After a pop out, catcher Felix Familia walked things off for the Royals with another sacrifice fly.

Boxscore Link

Brayant Aponte 2-3, 2b, BB, RBI
Wilmer Jimenez 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1-2 GO-FO
Kelvin Gonzalez 3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4-0 GO-FO

Mondesi Photo Via Minda Haas Flickr

Raul Mondesi – The Royals top shortstop in the minor leagues has put together his most impressive stretch of hitting in his career since being sent down. With his two hits on Sunday, Mondesi pushed his hitting streak to 17 games which includes multiple hits in each of his last four games and a .406 average during the streak. The positives to note in the streak for Mondesi is the lack of bunt attempts by the speedster as he has virtually cut out that part of his game while also working the ball to the middle of the field and opposite way more than he had from the left side.

Brian Poldberg on Mondesi “I know up there they wanted him to bunt a lot, so when he first got here he was looking to bunt and hit second. We wanted him to change his thought process and look to hit first and bunt second. He’s come around. He’s got his confidence and has a different stride about him, knowing he belongs.” 

Raul Mondesi on his play – “I keep working on the little things and I’m feeling pretty good at the plate right now. I’ve been working the ball the other way and adjusting to the pitch. They sent me here to work on my hitting and I’m just trying to help the team win and keep working.”

Saturday Omaha Storm Chasers 10, Round Rock Express 0 Boxscore Link
Sunday Omaha Storm Chasers 7, Round Rock Express 5 Boxscore Link HR Ryan O’Hearn (7)

The Chasers carried over their big bats and stellar starting pitching from Friday to Saturday’s series opener with Round Rock. Starter Luke Farrell went a season-high seven innings while allowing just three hits and no runs in that time. The offense backed him up with plenty of run support, scoring ten runs in six innings while connecting for 13 hits in the process to lead to the easy win.

The Chasers built a big lead early Sunday night, then hung on to a win. The suddenly hot bats scored seven runs from the second through fifth, getting a solo home run from Ryan O’Hearn and a two-run triple by Raul Mondesi as part of the run explosion. Spot starter Onelki Garcia helped his club while he was on the mound with five innings of one-run ball before turning things over to a bullpen that made it interesting late. It was Garcia’s first affiliated start in three years, earning the win in the process.

Saturday NW Arkansas Naturals 3, Midland RockHounds 2 Boxscore Link
Sunday NW Arkansas Naturals 10, Midland RockHounds 6 Boxscore Link HR Samir Duenez (7)

Shortstop Humberto Arteaga had a big day at the plate, coming up with three hits to drive in a pair of runs while also scoring the Naturals third – and winning – run. Starter Emilio Ogando made those three runs stand up with a pair of relief pitchers helping out. The lefty worked seven innings of one-run ball with just a pair of walks and four hits allowed to improve to 3-2 with a 2.28 ERA at Double-A.

The Naturals reached base 18 times with eight walks accumulated alongside their ten hits in their Sunday win. A five-run third frame and four-run seventh did most of the damage for the Double-A club, with Samir Duenez clubbing a three-run home run as part of the third inning rally. Starter Corey Ray missed out on the win after allowing four runs in his five innings when reliever Jake Kalish gave up a pair of runs to knot the action up at six apiece in the seventh frame. Reliever Pedro Fernandez’s 2.1 IP of shutout ball put things on ice for the win.

Saturday Wilmington Blue Rocks 7, Potomac Nationals 6 Boxscore Link HR Travis Maezes (2)
Sunday Wilmington Blue Rocks 4, Potomac Nationals 3 Boxscore Link

On Saturday, the Rocks staged another come from behind win over Potomac. Trailing 6-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth, Wilmington scored on a throwing error against a sac bunt by Wander Franco. From there, the bats of Nicky Lopez and D.J. Burt added two more runs. A Lopez triple plated Franco before Burt’s double scored Lopez. Reliever Franco Terrero secured the save in the ninth for the Blue Rocks.

More come from behind fun on Sunday for Wilmington as the Rocks starter A.J. Puckett gave up three runs in his five innings on the mound. The righty surrendered four consecutive hits to start the game, allowing two runs before settling down and getting out of the inning. The 2016 draft pick allowed another run in the fourth frame when he gave up a pair of two-out hits, the second of which was a run scoring single by Victor Robles. Trailing 3-0, the Rocks first six hitters in the seventh inning reached base with RBI singles by Anderson Miller, Wander Franco and Chris DeVito to take a 4-3 lead and the eventual win after Richard Lovelady closed the door. Reliever Yunior Marte earned the win with his three innings of shutout pitching, striking out three against one hit allowed.

Game 1 Columbia Fireflies 3, Lexington Legends 0 F/7 Boxscore Link
Game 2 Lexington Legends 2, Columbia Fireflies 1 F/7 Boxscore Link

The Legends split a doubleheader on Sunday after their game was rained out on Saturday.

Neither game featured much offense, with just six combined runs in the two games. In game one, a mistake by Legend pitcher Travis Eckert led to a three-run home run by Mets Low-A prospect Dash Winningham to give the Fireflies a 3-0 win. Despite that mistake, Eckert put together a solid line in the loss going six innings with nine strikeouts.

In game two, lefty Andre Davis went toe to toe with Columbia starter Harol Gonzalez. The two pitchers allowed just one run each until Manny Olloque’s one-out double in the bottom of the seventh walked things off for the Legends. For Davis, it was one his better starts of the year with the lefty spinning seven innings with a career best 11 strikeouts in the win.

HR Roll Call Samir Duenez (6), Chris DeVito (11) 

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Chris DeVito 4-5 HR, 2b, 2 RBI 

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Pedro Fernandez 2.2 Ip 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K 0-3 GO-FO 41p/24k

Lexington Legends 6 West Virginia Power 3 

The Legends earned a split in their series with West Virginia while finishing off a 4-3 road trip Monday evening.

As usual, for Lexington, it was first baseman Chris “GirthQuake” DeVito in the middle of things to lead the Legends offense. The South Atlantic League’s leading home run and RBI man drove in a Legends run in the third inning with a single and homered in fifth as part of his four hit night.

The Legends used a six-run spurt from the 3rd through the 7th inning to build a lead while piggybacking pitcher Jace Vines pitched his way in and out of a bases loaded one out jam in the 8th to preserve the lead and the win.

Catcher Meibrys Viloria was named South Atlantic Player of the Week for last week and started building on this week’s honor with a 2-3 game that featured a pair of doubles and his first stolen base of the year.

Boxscore Link

Meibrys Viloria 2-3 R, 2-2b, BB, SB
Kort Peterson 2-4 R, 2b
Khalil Lee 1-4 R, 2 RBI, SB (9)

NW Arkansas Naturals 3 Arkansas Travelers 2

The Naturals walked things off to earn another win over the Angels Double-A affiliate on Monday night.

First baseman Samir Duenez homered in the first to put NW Arkansas out in front but starter Corey Ray gave up a pair in the second inning to put his squad down 2-1. That lead would hold up until the bottom of the ninth when Allen de San Miguel put a ground ball up the middle to score Mauricio Ramos from second to start up the celebration.

A one out single by Frank Schwindel started the rally. From there, Ramos pushed pinch runner Logan Moon to third before Ruben Sosa’s sac bunt fielder’s choice scored Moon as he slid under the tag.

Despite the pair of runs allowed, Ray put up a quality start with six and one-third innings of two run ball while earning 12 groundouts on the night.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 2-4 HR
Corey Ray 6.1 IP 8 H 2 R 2 ER 2 BB 4 K 12-2 GO-FO 101p/60k
Terrance Gore 2-3 2 SB

Salt Lake Bees 5 Omaha Storm Chasers 3

The Chasers bullpen let one slip away in Salt Lake as the offense continued to struggle to score runs.

Omaha had built a 3-0 lead into the sixth and starter Luke Farrell hadn’t allowed a hit up until that point when Salt Lake finally got to him. The Angels Triple-A affiliate came through with a two-out single, the second hit of the inning, to score two runs and draw the game to within one. After a scoreless seventh the Bees were back after Farrell with a Dustin Ackley single, pushing him to second on a Rey Navarro bunt and then another single, this time by Shane Robinson, to even things up.

Omaha would turn to its bullpen to finish off the seventh, but Bobby Parnell couldn’t get through the eighth inning unscathed, allowing three more singles off Bees hitters to give them a 5-3 lead and an eventual win.

The Omaha offense outhit the Bees and managed the only two extra base hits in the game, but a 2 for 7 performance with runners in scoring position, ultimately dooming them. The loss was the sixth in their last seven games and has pushed them 6.5 games back of Colorado Springs in the division.

Boxscore 

Raul Mondesi 2-5  R
Dean Anna 3-4 3b, RBI
Luke Farrell 6.1 IP 4 H 3 R 3 ER 3 BB 3 K 4-4 GO-FO 96p/56k

HR Roll Call: Jorge Soler (3), Garin Cecchini (1), Samir Duenez (4), Meibrys Viloria (1)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Meibrys Viloria 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jace Vines 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 10-2 GO-FO, 94p/56k

Memphis Redbirds 6, Omaha Storm Chasers 4 F/10

The largest Werner Park crowd of the season witnessed the second game of series between Memphis and Omaha on Wednesday afternoon. They were treated to bonus baseball for the fifth time already in just their 25th game played.

The Chasers picked up quality starting pitching again in this one, with Luke Farrell allowing just one run in his five innings of work. The lone run off Farrell came in the fifth via a sacrifice fly after maneuvering around baserunners in three of his first four innings. It was his ability to earn a K on this day that helped him navigate around four walks and four hits as Farrell put away a season high nine in this one.

Following Farrell in the sixth, reliever Eric Stout’s pitching didn’t match his surname, as he allowed three runs in just two-thirds of an inning to put behind Omaha 4-1. The Chasers would come back immediately in their half of the inning with three runs of their own, the last two of which scored on a Garin Cecchini two-run home run that the lefty hitter banged off the third base foul pole, slightly more than 310 feet away.

The game remained tied until the tenth when the Redbirds would untie it off reliever Bobby Parnell with a pair of doubles sandwiched around a walk that plated two runs. The walk was a common theme for Omaha pitching as four separate pitchers teamed to walk 10 Memphis hitters during the game that the Chasers let slip through their grasp.

Boxscore Link

Jorge Soler 2-5, HR
Luke Farrell 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 K, 1-3 GO-FO, 98p/57k
Bubba Starling 1-3, RBI, HBP

NW Arkansas Naturals 4, Springfield Cardinals 1

A rain delay couldn’t deter the Naturals from building on their first place lead during against the second place Cardinals Wednesday afternoon.

The Cardinals jumped on starter Corey Ray for a run in the first with three consecutive singles before he could right the ship in the inning and the rest of his start. From there he worked four consecutive scoreless innings. In three of those innings, Springfield put a runner into scoring position including two innings with leadoff doubles, but Ray wiggled around those threats.

The pitcher was rewarded with his third win of the season after the Naturals ran off four consecutive single-run innings from the fourth through the seventh. Four separate Naturals hitters scored, including Samir Duenez who blasted his fourth home run of the season to finish off the scoring before Jake Newberry closed things out for his fourth save.

Boxscore Link

Corey Ray 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 4-4 GO-FO, 76p/47k
Donald Dewees 2-5, R, 2-2b
Samir Duenez 1-4, HR

Salem Red Sox 4, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Blue Rocks rallied multiple times on Wednesday evening before dropping the rubber game of their series with Salem.

Things got off to a less than ideal start for Foster Griffin in the first inning, when the lefty would allow a three-run home run Josh Ockimey. Despite that blow, Griffin rallied himself to set a new personal best with nine strikeouts, giving up just four hits total to finish off his fourth quality start in five tries this season.

The Blue Rock offense, with aid from the Red Sox defense, would get Griffin off the hook for the loss with unearned runs in the sixth and seventh inning, tying the game. That wouldn’t last though, as the Rocks manager Jamie Quirk would choose to let Yunior Marte pitch versus Michael Chavis in the eighth. That proved to be a poor strategy, with the former first rounder lacing a double to push the Red Sox back ahead 4-3.

The home squad would threaten in the eighth and ninth innings, putting the tying run into scoring position in both but failing to push the run home. The ninth inning rally was particularly troubling when Elier Hernandez advanced to third base with just one out on Anderson Miller’s third hit of the game, only to watch Chase Vallot and Wander Franco strikeout to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Anderson Miller 3-5, R, 2SB (8), extended on-base streak to 18 games
Roman Collins 3-3, RBI, BB
Foster Griffin 6 IP, 4 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 9 K, 3-4 GO-FO, 92p/58k

Lexington Legends 5, Greensboro Grasshoppers 2 

The Legends used quality pitching and some early runs to secure a series win in Greensboro on Wednesday morning.

The Royals 2016 4th round pick Jace Vines matched his career high with six innings of work, shutting out the Grasshoppers during that time thanks to 10 groundouts. The Marlins affiliate was able to get just two singles off Vines as he worked around three walks. Piggybacker Garrett Davila allowed the only runs in the game on a two-run home run in the eighth inning, his fourth allowed this year.

Those runs weren’t enough after Lexington had dented the scoreboard four times in the first two innings. In the first, Gabe Cancel hit his team leading 11th double of the season to drive in Angelo Castellano who had reached on a walk. The big inning came in the second frame with a two-run home run by Meibrys Viloria, his first, and a RBI single off the bat of Ricky Aracena to drive in Amalani Fukofuka.

The lead was extended to 5-0 in the fourth when Fukofuka scored on Marten Gasparini’s single, securing the team’s second winning road series in a row.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 2-4, 2b, R
Amalani Fukofuka 2-3, 2R, 2SB (2), BB
Garrett Davila 3 IP, 4 H, 2R, 2ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2-3 GO-FO, 43p/27k

HR Roll Call Frank Schwindel (4), Elier Hernandez (3), Chris DeVito 2 (6,7), Khalil Lee (4), Gabe Cancel 2 (1,2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day Chris DeVito 3-5 2 HR, 2b, 3R, 6 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day Foster Griffin 6.2 IP 2 H 2 R 1 ER 2 BB 5 K 10-2 GO-FO 86p/56k

Lexington Legends 16 Hagerstown Suns 4

The Legends broke out their big bats on Friday night, clubbing five home runs in a 16 run bashing of Hagerstown. Things got rolling in the 1st inning on Chris DeVito’s grand slam that quickly put the team up 4-0 after the first three hitters in the lineup had reached in front of him.

The fun continued after a scoreless 2nd frame with the team batting around the order in the 3rd on the way to a seven-run inning. Second baseman Gabe Cancel hit his first home run of the year to start things off before Khalil Lee finished the inning with the team’s second grand slam of the game, his fourth home run of the year. Two innings later Cancel and DeVito would be back at it, each homering as part of a five-run frame that pushed the Legends 16th run across the plate.

Two innings later in the 5th, it was Cancel and DeVito back at it, each homering as part of a five-run frame that pushed the Legends 16th run across the plate.

Starter Gerson Garabito was slightly less on top of his game as he had been in previous starts but did enough to finish off a quality start and earn his third win of the season.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 1-4 HR, 2R, 5 RBI, BB
Gabe Cancel 3-4 2HR, 3R, 3 RBI, BB
Gerson Garabito 6 IP 4 H 3 R 2 ER 1 Bb 5 K 6-4 GO-FO 89p/55k

NW Arkansas Naturals 4 Tulsa Drillers 0

The Naturals jumped on the backs of their pitching staff and Frank Schwindel on the way to their first win in Tulsa Friday night. Three different NW Arkansas pitchers, including starter Corey Ray, combined to scatter four Drillers singles while shutting the Dodgers affiliate out. The Naturals took a 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning with a single by Alfred Escalera to drive in Terrance Gore. First baseman Frank Schwindel pushed his average over .400 with a home run in the sixth and a double to drive in Samir Duenez in the eighth inning.

It should come to no one’s surprise that Schwindel is off to such a strong start to his season as his highest average month has been in April in each of the last two seasons.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 1-3 R
Terrance Gore 2-4 R, 2 SB (5)
Frank Schwindel 3-4 HR, 2b, 2 RBI

Buies Creek Astros 2 Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

The Royals 2014 draftee Foster Griffin worked another solid game for the Blue Rocks only to be let down by his offense and his defense late. The lefty worked six scoreless innings and was given a 1-0 lead in the sixth on Elier Hernandez’s third home run of the season. A walk with one down in the seventh snapped Griffin’s string of 11 straight retired and the single that followed quickly put him into his first jam of the night. When Griffin secured the second out of the inning manager Jamie Quirk rather than let his starter attempt to finish things out turned to his bullpen to try to get out of the jam. That move didn’t work out for the Rocks as Yunior Marte would give up a single plus an error by the third baseman, Travis Maezes, would allow a pair of runs to score, allowing Buies Creek to take their first lead.

That lead would be enough with the Wilmington offense going down in order in both the eighth and ninth innings.

Boxscore Link

Yunior Marte 1.1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 BB 3 K 1-0 GO-fO 23p/13k
Anderson Miller 0-3 BB hitting .178
Elier Hernandez 1-4 HR

Oklahoma City Dodgers 6 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

The Storm Chasers continued their difficult offensive challenges with the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate being limited to just one run on six hits in their game Friday night. Starter Eric Skoglund took the tough-luck loss despite giving up just two runs over six innings.

Boxscore Link

Ramon Torres 2-4 R, 2b
Bubba Starling 0-4 hitting just .129
Eric Skoglund 6 IP 2 H 2 ER 3 BB 2 K 8-5 GO-FO 99p/61k