BPKC Hitter of the Day: Cam Gallagher 2-4 2b, RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Richard Lovelady 2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K 3-2 GO-FO 19p/15k

Transaction – Rudy Martin activated back with Wilmington.
Rumor – Looks as though 18th Rd pick R.J. Dabovich will make his signing official soon.

Texas League All-Star Game South 2-2 Final
South Wins on HR Derby Sudden Death
Nicky Lopez: 0-2 RBI
Erick Mejia: 0-2
Elier Hernandez: 0-2 K
Nick Dini: 0-1
Jecksson Flores: 2-2 R, SB
Scott Blewett: 1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 BB 0 K
Zach Lovvorn: 1 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 0 K
Emilio Ogando: 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K
Walker Sheller: 1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 0 K

Lynchburg Hillcats 8 Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

A 2-2 game got away from Wilmington in the ninth inning when Carter Hope struggled during his third inning of relief. The right-hander who rejoined the organization last year after being away for over a year created his own problems in the ninth with a fielding error and a wild pitch before giving up four hits to the next five hitters up in the inning. Lefty reliever Justin Camp came in to help clean up the mess but six runs had crossed in the inning to put Wilmington into too large of a hole to dig out of. Royals top prospect Khalil Lee accounted for all three Wilmington runs, driving in two and scoring another in the ninth.

Khalil Lee: 2-2 R, 2 RBI, BB, CS (3)
Jace Vines: 6 IP 4 H 2 R 1 ER 2 BB 6 K 9-2 GO-FO 92p/54k
Gabe Cancel: 1-4

Round Rock Express 3 Omaha Storm Chasers 2

Three runs off left-hander Jake Kalish in the fourth inning were enough to do in the Chasers on Tuesday evening. The game was scoreless until that inning when Top 100 prospect Willie Calhoun connected on a two-run double. One hitter later, former major league infielder Cliff Pennington drove Calhoun home with a single to push the Round Rock advantage to 3-0. The Chasers would be limited to six hits on the night with a solo home run from Ramon Torres in the fifth and an RBI single by Cam Gallagher in the sixth that cut the deficit to 3-2. Following the Gallagher hit in the sixth, the next eight Chasers hitters would be retired until Cam doubled with one out in the ninth but nothing would come of that threat with the next two hitters going down in the loss.

Jorge Bonifacio: 1-3 R, BB
Josh Staumont: 2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 1 K 3-2 GO-FO 32p/19k
Donnie Dewees: 0-4

Danville Braves 2 Burlington Royals 0

Newly acquired right-hander Elvis Luciano made his second start with the organization, performing better than he did in his first effort. Hitting the zone with 53 strikes on 79 pitches the right-hander walked three hitters, gave up two hits and one run in five innings of work. Unfortunately for Luciano, his solid effort wasn’t rewarded with the offense failing to score with a 0 for 7 effort with runners in scoring position. Local Wichita State product Greyson Jenista hit his second home run of the series in the sixth inning off reliever Luis Alcantara to up the score to 2-0 where it would end after Burlington failed to push multiple runners in scoring position home over the final few innings.

Juan Carlos Negret: 1-4
Isaiah Henry: 1-1 BB
Elvis Luciano: 5 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 5-1 GO-FO 79p/53k

Grand Junction Rockies 4 Idaho Falls Chukars 2

The Chukars grabbed an early lead, but a seventh-inning defensive error helped them find themselves in a two-run hole. The Royals 13th round draft pick Jon Heasley made his second start, working four innings with just one run allowed. It was an efficient outing for him with 37 strikes thrown on his 51 pitches while he kept the ball on the ground with six groundouts created out of seven and four of the five singles allowed also coming via the groundball. Along with the groundball contact being created, Heasley still put away four hitters with strikeouts before reaching his pitch limit. The Chukars had a 2-1 lead through six innings after a pair of run-scoring outs but a solo home run in the seventh prior to an error that opened the door to two more runs to put Idaho Falls down 4-2. The Chukars threatened in the ninth with the tying runs in scoring position but Offerman Collado struckout to end the game.

Kyle Isbel: 0-3 BB, 2 GIDP
Jon Heasley: 4 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 4 K 6-1 GO-FO 51p/37k
Offerman Collado: 3-5

Tuesday Boxscores

Wednesday Probables
Omaha – Glenn Sparkman 7-2 3.48 ERA 1.24 WHIP
Wilmington – Ofreidy Gomez 2-5 4.12 ERA 1.66 WHIP
Lexington – TBD
Idaho Falls – TBD

BPKC Co-Hitter of the Day: Brewer Hicklen 4-6, 2R, 2-2b, HR, 3 RBI
MJ Melendez 3-6, 2R, 2-2b, HR, 6 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Andres Sotillet 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 11-4 GO-FO, 99p/74k

Lexington Legends 18, Rome Braves 2

The Legends offense exploded in a win over the Rome Braves on Monday, with the nine hitters in the lineup combining for 22 hits and 18 runs in an absolute laugher. The top five hitters in the Lexington lineup all reached base at least three times with Brewer Hicklen and MJ Melendez each hitting a pair of doubles and a home run. The team connected on four home runs and six doubles among the 22 hits, scoring four or more runs in three of their final four times up at the plate. The offense was quite a bit more than needed for starting pitcher Andres Sotillet as the right-hander tied a career high for strikeouts while setting a new career high with eight innings pitched. Efficient as usual, Sotillet attacked the zone with 74 strikes on 99 pitches while giving up just an unearned run on five hits allowed.

Nick Pratto: 3-5, 3R, 2b, 3 RBI, SB, BB
Dennicher Carrasco: 5-6, R, 2 RBI
Travis Jones: 2-4, 3R, 2b, 2 BB

Potomac Nationals 3, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

The Rocks offense didn’t muster much offense in the first game of their series, a loss in Potomac. Starting pitcher Jace Vines worked six scoreless innings to start the game, getting staked a 1-0 lead in the fifth when Nick Heath came through with a two-out RBI single. That would be the only hit with a runner in scoring position and the only run in the game for Wilmington. Two innings later the Nationals evened the game up with a solo home run off the bat of Rhett Wiseman. That home run would end Vines’ night but not Wiseman’s, as the former Vanderbilt Commodore would connect on his second home run just an inning later off reliever Vance Tatum to give Potomac the lead and the eventual win.

Jace Vines: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 9-4 GO-FO, 99p/64k
Kort Peterson: 1-4, 2b
Khalil Lee: 2-4, 2b

Springfield Cardinals 9, NW Arkansas Naturals 7

The Naturals offense was hitting again but the pitching staff couldn’t match their effort in another loss to Springfield. Home runs by Anderson Miller and Corey Toups accounted for four of the Naturals six runs, with Toups seventh inning homer giving NW Arkansas a brief 7-5 lead. Reliever Pedro Fernandez couldn’t keep the lead, allowing two runs in the seventh after a leadoff walk and a double started the inning for the Cardinals. An inning later, after a two-out walk, catcher Nick Dini let a high foul pop up elude his grasp allowing the inning to continue. One pitch later, the Cardinals took a 9-7 lead with a Blake Drake home run deep to left off Yunior Marte to take the lead and the eventual win.

Erick Mejia: 1-4, RBI
Nicky Lopez: 1-4, R, CS (4)
Corey Toups: 2-3, 2R, 2b, HR, 2 RBI, BB

New Orleans Baby Cakes 9, Omaha Storm Chasers 5

They may have to rename Werner Park the official home of the Baby Cakes soon if New Orleans domination in Papillion continues after the Cakes took down Omaha on their home field for the fifth time in a row. The Chasers used six different pitchers, starting with reliever Wily Peralta and using five different relievers after. Only Richard Lovelady worked a scoreless appearance as the bullpen gave away a 5-3 Omaha lead with two runs off recently promoted Luis Vazquez in the sixth. The game stayed tied until the ninth when the combination of Justin Grimm and Mike Broadway gave up four runs to put the offense well behind in the loss.

Adalberto Mondesi: 1-4, RBI, K
Ryan O’Hearn: 1-5, HR
Humberto Arteaga: 3-4, K

Monday Boxscores

Tuesday Probables
Omaha – Heath Fillmyer 2-3, 5.45 ERA, 1.63 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Scott Blewett 2-3, 5.53 ERA, 1.80 WHIP
Wilmington – Anthony Bender 1-2, 6.21 ERA, 1.93 WHIP
Lexington – Nolan Watson 2-4, 7.34 ERA, 1.79 WHIP

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Luis Villegas 1-1, 2RBI, BB, SAC

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jace Vines 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 9-4 GO-FO, 96p/59k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 3, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 1 – F/7
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 10, Wilmington Blue Rocks 1 – F/7

The Rocks Khalil Lee scored a pair of runs early and starter Jace Vines made it stand up in the first game of the doubleheader, throwing a complete game. The former Texas A&M pitcher negotiated five hits and three walks in his seven innings thanks to his usual high number of groundouts, collecting nine to earn his second win.

In game two, Anthony Bender struggled with his control while failing to limit contact as well. Despite the right-hander regularly working in the mid to upper 90s, he’s failing to capitalize on that velocity, striking out just 5.3 hitters per nine. Additionally, Bender is walking 6.8 per nine while giving up more than a hit per inning which all speaks to a firm fastball. Wednesday, it was more of the same with Bender walking four and allowing seven hits which led to seven runs. The Rocks got a run on a single, a walk and a groundout in the second, but didn’t get another hit until the sixth inning in the loss.

Khalil Lee: 1-4, 2R, BB, HBP, SB (8), 2K
Emmanuel Rivera: 2-5, R, BB
Meibrys Viloria: 1-5, RBI, BB, 0-1 CS-Att

NW Arkansas Naturals 5, Arkansas Travelers 4 – F/8

Three consecutive singles jump-started the fourth inning for the Naturals. The third single came off the bat of Jecksson Flores, scoring Nicky Lopez. A throwing error by the pitcher on an Anderson Miller bunt scored another and pushed Miller and Flores into scoring position. A passed ball and another single, this one by Luis Villegas, scored both runners to flip a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Starter Zach Lovvorn gave up two runs the next inning but was able to get through six innings for a quality start before handing things off to the bullpen. A Villegas sac fly scored Miller in the sixth as insurance before the rain came in the eighth, ending the game early, in a Naturals win.

Nicky Lopez 1-4 R
Jecksson Flores 1-4, R, RBI
Franco Terrero 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 14p/9k

Thursday Probables
Omaha – Scott Barlow 1-1, 2.66 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
NW Arkansas – Scott Blewett 1-3, 5.19 ERA, 1.82 WHIP
Wilmington – Ofreidy Gomez 1-3, 5.40 ERA, 1.88 WHIP
Lexington – Nolan Watson 2-3, 7.88 ERA, 1.81 WHIP

Omaha Storm Chasers

The Chasers have been ravaged by injuries to their pitching staff and constant shuffling of players back and forth to Kansas City, leaving their season as an underperforming one. Currently in last place in their division, the lack of available arms have done the biggest damage to the Chasers season, but in addition, the lack of consistent offense hasn’t helped either with the squad ranking in the bottom third of the league offensively.

Jul 1, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Jorge Soler (12) hits a home run in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Position Player

Jorge Soler – Royals fans had hoped that the player Dayton Moore had acquired in the Wade Davis trade would be a big contributor at the major league level, but after suffering an injury in spring and then performing poorly in the bigs in limited opportunities while watching Jorge Bonifacio, the Royals sent Soler to Omaha for the majority of the season.

Just taking the Omaha season into consideration, Soler was solid at the plate, leading the squad in home runs, on base percentage and OPS. Defensively, Soler was inconsistent with his effort but when playing hard his arm was outstanding and he could get to the balls the team needed.

Pitcher of the Year

Eric Stout - With injuries and pitchers constantly traveling back and forth, finding consistent pitching for Brian Poldberg has been a difficult proposition. With that said, he always had a lefty arm late in games that he knew he could turn to for a solid outing in Stout. From fireman to closer, Stout limited right-handed hitters (.249) while dominating lefties (.188), leading the team in appearances while leading the bullpen arms in innings and strikeouts. Likely a lefty specialist who can pitch some to right-handed hitters, Stout could see an opportunity in KC this September.

NW Arkansas Naturals

The Naturals finished strong in the first half of the season winning the division by four games while playing eight over .500 baseball and clinching a playoff spot as Frank Schwindel did much of the lifting. The second half hasn’t gone quite as positive for the squad with the power hitter now in Omaha, playing well under .500 baseball and currently sitting in last place.

Position Player

Donnie Dewees – With the limitations of playing at least half of the team’s games to qualify, that eliminates catcher Nick Dini and first baseman/designated hitter Frank Schwindel from consideration for the Naturals honors. With those players ineligible, that leaves Donnie Dewees as the winner of the award for the Naturals. Also a product of a Cubs trade, Dewees season started slow as he hit just .218 through the first two months of the season. Things started to click for the speedy outfielder as he won Texas League Player of the Month honors in June. He compiled a .317/.368/.515 slash line from June through the end of July to become one of the squad’s most consistent offensive performers this season.

Pitcher of the Year

Emilio Ogando – It wasn’t likely that Ogando would get on the Naturals roster early enough to win this award, but the 2014 12th round pick was pushed into duty early in the season. The lefty performed solidly for the Naturals throughout the year while tossing 122.2 innings with a 3.08 ERA. The control Ogando exhibits has been his best asset to date, showing plus control that allows his average stuff to limit the opponents damage. The 2.3 BB/9 allows his average stuff to perform while he has pushed around left-handed hitters with a sub .600 OPS against him. Primarily a fly ball pitcher, Ogando should get a hefty test should he arrive at Werner Park next season.

Wilmington Blue Rocks

The Rocks, much like the Naturals, played good baseball the first half of the season, only to finish in last place in the second half. The difference for Wilmington was that they finished 1.5 games out of first place in that first half, missing out on the playoffs in the process. That first half was led by quality pitching on both ends by the starters and bullpen, while a few position players who earned promotions led the way on offense.

Position Player

Nicky Lopez – No position players was a bigger catalyst to the quality first half Wilmington put up than Lopez. Hitting at the top of the lineup, Lopez got on base with regularity (.376) while also anchoring the defense up the middle at shortstop. Typically Wilmington hitters struggle at Frawley field, but Lopez showed a smaller split than normal, hitting .283 but actually getting on base at a .381 clip. The bat and on base skills were a pleasant surprise for the shortstop who is a plus defender who makes as big, if not bigger, impact on the game with his consistent glove and defensive skills.

Pitcher of the Year

Foster Griffin – The Rocks received quality pitching for much of the season as evident in the team’s third best ERA in the league. Leading Wilmington up until the point of his promotion was former first round pick, Foster Griffin. The lefty was dominant in his 10 starts with Wilmington with one blow up start versus Salem that inflated his ERA to 2.86 and pushed his WHIP to 1.11. Had that start not occurred Griffin would’ve posted a sub-2.00 ERA with a WHIP below 1.00.

Lexington Legends

Inconsistent pitching was a problem throughout the season for a Lexington team that boasted one of the best offenses all season. Unfortunately, that offense couldn’t carry the league’s worst pitching staff, leaving the Legends well out of first place during both halves of the season.

Emmanuel Rivera 3b (Photo Alexandra Lexington)

Position Player

Emmanuel Rivera – Multiple players had quality seasons offensively for Lexington when you look at the numbers Khalil Lee, Gabe Cancel, and non-qualifier Chris DeVito all had put up. They were all solid seasons, but no player was as consistent from beginning to end than third baseman Emmanuel Rivera. The Puerto Rican infielder drafted in the 19th round of the 2015 draft, Rivera leads the South Atlantic League in hits, ranks second in average and is top five in the league in OPS. The 20 errors committed by Rivera stands out as a high number, but Rivera flashes the ability to make the outstanding play and has good range and instincts which could result in him becoming an above average defender going forward.

Pitcher of the Year

Jace Vines – This award was all but wrapped up for Gerson Garabito after getting off to an outstanding start through the middle of May but the injury bug hit and opened the door for others. Another pitcher who was holding his own early before earning a promotion was 2015 fourth round pick Jace Vines. The right-hander started the season on the back half of a piggyback but quickly pushed his way into the starting role before earning a South Atlantic League All Star nod. The Texas A&M product doesn’t miss a ton of bats, but rather tries to induce groundballs and weak contact. That was certainly the case while working with the Legends, earning 56% groundballs and a 21% infield fly ball rate in his 100 innings with Lexington prior to his promotion.

Feature Photo Eric Stout via Minda Haas Kuhlmann

HR Roll Call Jorge Soler (23), Seuly Matias (7)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Alfredo Escalera 3-4 R, 2 SB 

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Josh Staumont 6 Ip 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 8 K 5-1 GO-FO 95p/57k

Omaha Storm Chasers 3 Nashville Sounds 2 F/13

The Chasers were forced once again to use an A-ball pitcher to make a start for them as the Royals optioned up 2015 4th round pick Jace Vines from Wilmington to help out.

Despite making a large jump in level Vines held his own, sticking to what he does best, generating ground balls. Working six innings of two run ball in that time. A pair of extra base hits led to runs for the Sounds with a triple in the second with a man on base scored their first run and a two out single in the fourth plated another after a leadoff double.

Trailing 2-0, Omaha scored a pair of runs in the sixth on Jorge Soler’s 21st Triple-A home run to the tie the game up. That score remained until the thirteenth inning when Hunter Dozier followed Cam Gallagher’s one out single with a double to push the pair into scoring position. With Gallagher on third Billy Burns hit a ball that bounced high and forced the second baseman to go to first with it, scoring Cam and giving Omaha a 3-2 lead. Reliever Jake Newberry followed with a perfect inning, his third scoreless frame in a row to earn the win.

Boxscore Link

Jorge Soler 1-6 HR, 2 RBI
Raul Mondesi 1-5
Ramon Torres 2-5 BB
Hunter Dozier 1-5 2b, BB
Chasers Bullpen (Sam Selman, Kevin Lenik, Jake Newberry) 7 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 3 BB 5 K 7-3 GO-FO 137p/88k
Jace Vines 6 IP 6 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 3K 9-4 GO-FO 91p/58k

NW Arkansas Naturals 2 Arkansas Travelers 0

After tossing seven innings of no-hit ball in his last, starter Josh Staumont worked six innings shutout ball to even his record to 3-3 for NW Arkansas. Walking just one hitter, Staumont struck out eight hitters while hitting the zone with 57 of 95 pitches. After allowing a pair of first inning singles he retired 16 of the next 17 hitters he would face before turning things over to the bullpen.

The offense took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on an Humberto Arteaga sacrifice fly and a rbi ground out by Nicky Lopez. Those runs would be enough with Staumont and reliever Walker Sheller combining for the shutout.

Boxscore Link

Nicky Lopez 2-4 RBI
Donnie Dewees 2-4
Ryan O’Hearn 1-4
Josh Staumont 6 Ip 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 8 K 5-1 GO-FO 95p/57k

Ogden Raptors 7 Idaho Falls Chukars 1

Starter Hunter Capps gave up three first inning runs and Ogden plated four more runs throughout the game to win comfortably over the Royals rookie team. The Chukars offense was limited to just four hits and one run after falling behind. The loss was the fifth in the last six games for Idaho Falls between the two teams and lowered their record to 4-9 on the season against the Dodgers rookie team.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 0-4
Amalani Fukofuka 0-4

Pulaski Yankees 4 Burlington Royals 1

The Royals Seuly Matias hit a solo home run in the seventh but would get no more in a loss to the Yankees. Starter Dan Tillo took the loss after giving up eight hits and four runs (2 ER). The lefty plunked a couple hitters and allowed two singles in giving up a pair of runs in the second before a pair of doubles followed a Jeison Guzman error in the fifth to put the Royals down 4-1. The Burlington offense connected on just two singles after the Matias home run to fail to threaten much at all in the loss.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 1-4 HR
Jeison Guzman 0-2
Sebastian Rivero 0-4
Dan Tillo 5 IP 8 H 4 R 2 ER 1 BB 5 K 2 HBP 5-0 GO-FO 65p/41k

AZL Indians 6 AZL Royals 2

The Royals offense was limited to just four hits in a loss to the Indians rookie league team. Starter Malcolm Van Buren bounced back after a rough start last time out, allowing just one run in four innings with just one hit allowed. That run came in the first inning when the South Carolina native walked a hitter and a plunked two more before giving up a sacrifice fly. From there, he straightened things out some to work four innings with three strikeouts.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 0-4
MJ Melendez 1-2 HBP, BB
Cristian Perez 2-4 R
Malcolm Van Buren 4 IP 1 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 3 K 2-5 GO-FO

HR Roll Call: Roman Collins (8), Travis Maezes (6), Robby Rinn (6), Cristian Perez (1)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Samir Duenez 2-3 2b, 2 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Josh Staumont 7 Ip 0 H 0 R 0 ER 5 BB 8 K HBP 100p/54k 6-5 GO-FO

NW Arkansas Naturals 5 Springfield Cardinals 1

Despite a tough season, starter Josh Staumont had things working pretty well on Wednesday. The hard throwing pitcher struggled with his control, as usual, hitting the zone with just 54 of 100 pitches and walking five hitters and hitting another, but still working through seven innings. Despite those base runners, Staumont didn’t allow a hit on the night while giving up just a first inning run after a leadoff walk, a hit batsman and a sac fly. In addition to no-hitting Springfield, he struck out eight hitters, his highest total since a May 18th start with the Chasers.

The Naturals offense backed up Staumont with five runs getting a pair of RBI hits from Samir Duenez in the process.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 2-3 2b, 2 RBI, BB
Donnie Dewees 1-5 R
Anderson Miller 1-4 R
Josh Staumont 7 Ip 0 H 0 R 0 ER 5 BB 8 K HBP 100p/54k 6-5 GO-FO

Frederick Keys 5 Wilmington Blue Rocks 4

A pair of Rocks two run home runs put them in a good spot, but starter Jace Vines couldn’t make them stand up with reliever Franco Terrero.

Up 4-3 after five innings Vines gave up a double and a single to start the sixth. Manager Jamie Quirk turned to Terrero but the reliever couldn’t get out of the jam, allowing a double and a single that brought in both base runners to put Wilmington behind 5-4. After giving up the lead, the Rocks went hitless to drop the game.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 1-3 BB
Chris DeVito 0-3 BB
Jace Vines 5 IP 9 H 5 R 5 ER 2 BB 2 K 7-4 GO-FO 78p/50k

Lexington Legends 2 Rome Braves 1

The Legends matched Rome’s quality pitching with a solid outing by starter Ofreidy Gomez. The Dominican right-hander allowed just four hits in his six and two-third innings, hammering the zone with 58 strikes on 88 pitches. Tossing up five scoreless innings to start his outing to match Rome starter Tucker Davidson the Royals 22-year old pitcher gave up just one run.

That one run came in the sixth on a two out double allowing Gomez’s only walk on the night to come around to score. That run tied the game, but that didn’t last long as Emmanuel Rivera came home on a Manny Olloque single just one inning later. After Gomez retired two in the seventh and gave up a single reliever Matt Wynne came in and worked two and one-third innings scoreless to earn the save for Lexington.

Boxscore Link

Ofreidy Gomez 6.2 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 6 K 12-2 GO-FO 88p/58k
Emmanuel Rivera 1-4 R
Gabe Cancel 0-4
Khalil Lee 0-4 2k

Ogden Raptors 13 Idaho Falls Chukars 8

The Chukars first two pitchers on the night struggled to limit Ogden’s offense on this night, giving up 15 hits and 13 runs. Starter Dillon Drabble gave up 10 hits in five and two-third innings while allowing 10 runs (7 ER) in that time.

The Chukars offense had twelve hits and six walks of their own but left 10 runners on base in falling short with eight runs of their own.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 2-4 2R
Matt Morales 3-5 R, 3b, RBI
Brewer Hicklen 1-4 R, BB

Princeton Rays 12 Burlington Royals 1

The Royals starter and first reliever on the mound got significantly roughed up by the Rays on this night, allowing 17 hits and 12 runs in six innings. The Royals gave up nine extra base hits among the 20 hits allowed on the night including seven doubles, going 8 for 21 with runners in scoring position.

While the Rays were rocking Royals pitching the home squad was connecting on just one extra base hit while scoring just one run on the night.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 2-4
Sebastian Rivera 2-4 R
Jeison Guzman 2-4 2K

AZL Royals 5 AZL Brewers 3

The Royals gave up a couple runs early but came on strong late to earn a win. Trailing 2-0 into the fifth, shortstop Cristian Perez connected on his first home run of the season to tie it up. The Royals scored again in the sixth with a leadoff double Jose Caraballo and coming in on a double play to take the lead. Runs in the seventh and the eighth innings pushed the lead up to 5-2 all while Randy Acevedo was spinning the final six innings with just one run allowed on the night to earn the win.

Boxscore Link

Randy Acevedo 6 IP 5 H 1 R 1 ER 2 BB 2 K
Evan Steele 1.1 IP 2 H 2 R 1 ER 1 Bb 2 K 3-0 GO-FO
Isaiah Henry 3-4 2R, SB
Cristian Perez 1-4 HR, 2 RBI

Game 1 DSL Dodgers1 7 DSL Royals 4
Game 2 DSL Royals 3 DSL Dodgers1 2

The Royals split a doubleheader with the Dodgers, getting quality relief work over the final three innings by Wilmer Jimenez. The Royals used those three innings to tie the game, getting a triple by Rubendy Jaquez to leadoff the sixth and scoring on a sac fly before walking off the game in the seventh on a sac fly by Kember Nacero.

In the first game, the Royals lost a two run lead after three innings when the Dodgers plated four runs with the help of three walks and a hit batter prior to a pair of doubles. The Royals kept answering with single run innings while the Dodgers plated another three runs.

Game 1 Boxscore
Game 2 Boxscore

Wilmer Jimenez 3 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 6 K 3-0 GO-FO
Kember Nacero 0-2 RBI
Rubendy Jacquez 4-7 R, 3b, RBI

HR Roll Call: Frank Schwindel (21), Bubba Starling (7), Hunter Dozier (1), Ryan O’Hearn (19), Gabe Cancel (14), Jose Caraballo (3), Rubendy Jaquez (1)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Rubendy Jaquez 3-3, 3R, HR, 3b, 3 RBI, BB, SB (17) 

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jace Vines 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 12-4 GO-FO, 92p/59k

Omaha Storm Chasers 11, Oklahoma City Dodgers 8
Omaha Storm Chasers 2, Oklahoma City Dodgers 1

The Chasers swept the doubleheader over the Dodgers by outslugging them in the first game and outpitching them in the second.

After the Werner Park home run streak was snapped on Tuesday night, the two teams combined for four home runs in just seven innings of game one. Three of the longballs came courtesy of the Omaha lineup, including a grand slam from hot-hitting Frank Schwindel. That homer gave Omaha an 8-4 lead. The Dodgers pulled within 8-6, but Hunter Dozier’s three-run blast in the sixth gave the Chasers a big enough cushion to hold on.

In the second game, Paulo Orlando twice drove in Ramon Torres while Pedro Fernandez tossed five shutout innings to earn his second Triple-A win. After Kyle Zimmer was forced to leave after facing just one hitter, reliever Eric Stout wiggled through 1.2 innings to earn a save.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Frank Schwindel 3-6, 2R, HR, 4 RBI, BB
Paulo Orlando 2-3, 2 RBI
Ramon Torres 2-6, 3 R, RBI, BB
Raul Mondesi 2-4, 2R, 3b, RBI
Hunter Dozier 1-4, HR, 3 RBI

Midland RockHounds 4, NW Arkansas Naturals 3

The Naturals were limited to just six hits, going hitless for the first four innings until a Nick Dini single. While the offense was blanking, Midland worked five hits and a pair of runs each off starter Zach Lovvorn and reliever Jake Kalish. The Naturals got within a run on a home run by Ryan O’Hearn, but could get no closer.

Boxscore Link

Nicky Lopez 0-3
Samir Duenez 1-4, RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3, R, HR, BB

Wilmington Blue Rocks 10, Frederick Keys 3
Wilmington Blue Rocks 4, Frederick Keys 1 

The Blue Rocks offense busted out in the first game of their doubleheader and received quality pitching in the second of a sweep.

The Rocks offense walked six times while knocking 11 hits to plate 10 runs to take game one. Starter Scott Blewett was the beneficiary of all offense while working around seven hits and a walk of his own to limit Frederick to just two runs to earn the win.

In the second game, Jace Vines coaxed 12 groundouts while working a complete game with just three hits and a run allowed. Outfielder Brandon Downes singled in a pair of runs in the first, then reached on an error in the third and scored Wilmington’s fourth run of the game.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Jace Vines 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 12-4 GO-FO, 92p/59k
Brandon Downes 2-6, 2R, 2 RBI, BB
Scott Blewett 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 6-2 GO-FO, 79p/50k

Lexington Legends 9, West Virginia Power 3

Four extra base hits keyed the way to a big day on offense for the Legends. After a scoreless first, converted outfielder Marten Gasparini doubled in a pair of runs in the second inning. One inning later, it was Joe Dudek’s double to put Lexington up 4-0 before Vance Vizcaino’s two-bagger plated two more runs in the fourth inning. Still in that frame, with Vizcaino on second, Emmanuel Rivera was plunked prior to Gabe Cancel’s three-run blast to give the Legends a 9-0 lead.

Those runs were plenty for Travis Eckert who kept West Virginia off the board until the seventh inning.

Boxscore Link

Gabe Cancel 1-5, 2R, HR, 3 RBI
Marten Gasparini 1-3, R, 2b, 2 RBI, BB
Emmanuel Rivera 1-2, 2R, HBP

Idaho Falls Chukars 15, Billings Mustangs 9

The Chukars pounded out 16 hits and walked eight times while scoring 15 runs on the way to a win over Billings. Leadoff man and 2017 draftee Matt Morales was 5 for 5 with a pair of runs scored and five driven in to pace the offense, while starter Dillon Drabble struck out eight hitters in six innings to earn the win.

Boxscore Link

Dillon Drabble 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 9-1 GO-FO
Matt Morales 5-5, 2R, 5 RBI, BB
Brewer Hicklen 2-4, 2R, RBI, SB

AZL Angels 10, AZL Royals 5

A six-run ninth inning did in the Royals on Wednesday night. Starter Malcolm Van Buren worked four innings, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks before Jackson Klein ran into trouble late.

Boxscore Link

Malcolm Van Buren 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Nick Pratto 1-3, RBI, 2BB
MJ Melendez 1-4

DSL Royals 6, DSL Braves 1

The Royals Rubendy Jaquez keyed the way to a win over the Braves, while three different pitchers limited them to just one run. The 18-year-old infielder reached base all four times on the day, scoring three runs and finishing with three RBI. In the first inning, Jaquez scored on a double by Edickson Soto after walking to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. After the Braves had tied things up in the fourth, Jacquez tripled and scored to regain the lead before dealing the final blow with a three-run home run in the sixth that provided the final score.

Boxscore Link

Rubendy Jaquez 3-3, 3R, HR, 3b, 3 RBI, BB, SB (17)
Delvin Capellan 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GO-FO, 0.48 ERA, 0.63 WHIP

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

Cam Gallagher Profile

Cam Gallagher (Minda Haas Kuhlmann)

What should you expect to see from the former 2nd round pick should he get the opportunity to help out with the Sal Perez injury. Defensively is where Gallagher shines as the big bodies catcher shows good receiving skills with accepting hands at the dish that are strong enough to exhibit quality framing skills. Despite the big body and lack of quick twitch athleticism Gallagher shows no wasted movement in his footwork and can put together decent pop times in the 1.85 range which are adequate for a backup catcher.

Offensively Gallagher doesn’t stand out other than the fact that he doesn’t strikeout much and can control his bat working the ball to all fields in the correct situations. The power is pull side and is less than average while the speed is well below average.

The total package is that of a quality backup catcher who provides quality defense, good came calling skills and a quality person in the clubhouse who you hope can run into a pitch here and there.

HR Roll Call Samir Duenez 2 (15), Gabe Cancel (13), Angelo Castellano (7), Amalani Fukofuka (5), Benji Cash (2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day Samir Duenez 3-6 2 HR, 3 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day Andres Sotillet 6 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K 8-4 GO-FO

Sacramento River Cats 5 Omaha Storm Chasers 4

The River Cats scored three unearned runs in the second inning off starter Eric Skoglund to open the scoring Saturday after a throwing error by Brayan Pena opened the inning. The Chasers answered with three runs of their own in the third after a pair of walks to Billy Burns and Raul Mondesi opened the frame. A pair of singles by Cheslor Cuthbert and Jorge Soler scored them before Cuthbert scored on Ryan O’Hearn’s groundout. The two teams exchanged runs with Sacramento hitting a solo home run in the fourth off Skoglund and Omaha answering with a rbi single by Brayan Pena in the sixth.

The game remained tied until the eighth when Giants top prospect Chris Shaw hit a home run off reliever Kevin Lenik to give the River Cats a lead and the eventual win.

Boxscore Link

Eric Skoglund 6 Ip 6 H 4 R 1 ER 1 BB 7 K 7-1 GO-FO 101p/68k
Raul Mondesi 0-1 R, BB, HBP
Cheslor Cuthbert 2-5 R, RBI
Jorge Soler 1-4 RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 1-4 RBI, BB, SB

Springfield Cardinals 8 NW Arkansas Naturals 7 F/12

The Naturals were outslugged in another loss to Springfield in the third of four games versus the Cardinals affiliate. First baseman Samir Duenez did all he could early to help the club, connecting on a pair of home runs in his first two at bats. The first homer was a pull shot that scored Duenez and Paulo Orlando to put the Naturals in front 2-0. Two innings later after starter Corey Ray had given up the lead it was Duenez tying the game back up with a home run to left. Outfielder Donnie Dewees doubled and scored on Mauricio Ramos single quickly in the same inning to reclaim the lead that was pushed to 5-3 at the end of the frame.

From there the two teams would exchange runs with the game ending up tied at 7-7 at the end of nine innings into extras. The Naturals would put the lead run on in the all three extra innings but fail to push them around and would drop the game when Springfield’s Randy Arozarena walked it off with a home run to lead off the bottom of the twelfth inning.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 3-6 2 HR 3 RBI
Nicky Lopez 2-6, CS
Donnie Dewees 3-5 R, 2b, BB
Paulo Orlando 0-3 R, RBI, BB
Anderson Miller 2-6 RBI

Wilmington Blue Rocks 3 Frederick Keys 1

Recently promoted starter Jace Vines put together his best start for Wilmington as yet, working five scoreless innings while working around three hits and three walks. The former Texas A&M pitcher was given the lead in the second inning with a two run double by Colton Frabasilio and added on with a rbi triple by Wander Franco in the fourth.

Relievers Justin Camp and Franco Terrero would make sure that lead would hold up as the two allowed just one run over the last four innings to secure the Blue Rocks win.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 1-4 2b
Jace Vines 5 IP 3H 0 R 0 ER 3 Bb 4 K 5-3 GO-FO 91p/48k
Franco Terrero 1.2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K 0-3 GO-FO 23p/12k

Game 1
Hickory Crawdads 3 Lexington Legends 1

Royals prospect Gerson Garabito continued to work his way back to full strength Saturday afternoon in game one of the doubleheader for Lexington. The Dominican right-handed pitcher tossed four innings of scoreless baseball on 45 pitches while allowing just a second innings single and striking out three hitters.

Second baseman Gabe Cancel gave the Legends the lead in the fourth inning with his thirteenth home run of the season. That lead was short-lived once Garabito left the game when reliever Vance Tatum gave up a pair of singles around a walk to tie the game. One inning later hit their own home run, a two run shot to give them a 3-1 lead which would be enough after Lexington stranded two runners to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 0-3 2K, BB
Gabe Cancel 1-3 HR
Emmanuel Rivera 0-3 3K
Gerson Garabito 4 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 45p/30k 4-3 GO-FO

Game 2
Lexington Legends 9 Hickory Crawdads 3

The Legends broke open a 3-3 game in the ninth inning of game 2. In the ninth Gabe Cancel started the inning off with a single and quickly scored following a walk and another single by Manny Olloque. A fielding error on Margen Gasparini’s groundball to first pushed their lead to two runs. With runners on second and third Vance Vizcaino would walk to load the bases for shortstop Angelo Castellano. The shortstop has struggled since the start of July hitting just .123 in that time but it didn’t stop him from unloading the bases with a grand slam to left to put the game out of reach.

Boxscore Link

Emmanuel Rivera 1-5 R, 2K
Gabe Cancel 1-3 R, K
Marten Gasparini 2-4 R, RBI

Great Falls Voyagers 8 Idaho Falls Chukars 4

The Chukars starter David McKay was roughed up in his six innings allowing 11 hits and eight runs including a pair of home runs. One night after showing off his speed with four stolen bases Amalani Fukofuka flashed his power with a home run and a double in his four plate appearances.

Boxscore Link

Amalani Fukofuka 2-4 2R, HR, 2b, 2 RBI

Burlington Royals 4 Elizabethton Twins 3

Centerfielder Michael Gigliotti accounted for the first three runs of the game for Burlington before Benji Cash gave them the deciding run. Trailing 1-0 Gigliotti connected on a triple to center that scored Oliver Nunez from first to tie the game. After the Twins took the lead back in the sixth Gigliotti was at it again in the seventh this time with a two run double to claim the lead.

The Twins would knot it back up in the bottom of the seventh but the Royals would claim the last lead of the night with a Cash home run to center. Closer Tyler Zuber would give up a pair of singles in the ninth before striking out the side to end the game.

Boxscore Link

Michael Gigliotti 2-5 2b, 3b, 3 RBI, K, SB (15)
Seuly Matias 1-3 2b
Tyler Zuber 1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 21p/13k

AZL Royals 5 AZL D-Backs 1

The Royals received another good start from Andres Sotillet as the Venezuelan tossed six shutout innings around three hits and a walk. After struggles in the Pioneer League Sotillet as calmed things down in Arizona with three quality starts in five tries. Errors or wild pitches helped the Royals to all five runs on offense to cruise to the win with the solid pitching.

A familiar face returned after nearly two years away from the game as former 2013 3rd round pick Carter Hope worked two perfect innings with two strikeouts for the Royals.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 2-5
Brewer Hicklen 1-4 R, BB, SB (13), CS (3)
MJ Melendez 0-3 BB, 0-1 CS/Att

DSL Royals 4 DSL Astros Blue 2

The Royals two pitchers struck out 11 Astros on Saturday to salvage a win in the series with them. Outfielder Reynin Reynoso doubled in a pair of runs in the second inning and Felix Familia doubled in another in the fourth. Those runs would be plenty for Adriam Castillo and Adrian Alcantara as the two worked the nine innings with Alcantara dominating over the final three and one-third innings with seven strikeouts.

Boxscore Link

Adriam Castillo 5.2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 4 K 8-1 GO-FO
Adrian Alcantara 3.1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 7 K 0-1 GO-FO
Reynin Reynoso 1-4 2b, 2 RBI

HR Roll Call: Samir Duenez (12), Emmanuel Rivera (9), Vance Vizcaino (2), Jose Caraballo (2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: MJ Melendez 3-3, 3 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jace Vines 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, HBP, WP, 98p/69k, 13-4 GO-FO

NW Arkansas Naturals 7, Tulsa Drillers 4

Back from the Futures Game, Foster Griffin gave up a pair of home runs in the second inning, but settled the ship from there, earning his seventh Double-A win. The offense scored two runs in three different innings after Tulsa had taken that second inning lead, with Samir Duenez driving in four while hitting his twelfth home run of the year.

Reliever Richard Lovelady has now gone 18 appearances without allowing an earned run. That’s a scoreless streak of 31.2 innings between High-A and Double-A for the lefty.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 2-5, 2R, HR, 4 RBI
Nicky Lopez 2-5, R
Anderson Miller 1-4, RBI
Foster Griffin 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 5-2 GO-FO, 84p/63k
Richard Lovelady 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 K, 1 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GO-FO, 28p/17k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 5, Lynchburg Hillcats 4 F/13

The Rocks won in the thirteenth inning when Wander Franco scored on a wild pitch.

Boxscore Link

Chase Vallot 1-5, 2b, BB, 3 K
Chris DeVito 1-6, RBI, 2 K
Brandon Downes 0-6, 3 K

Lexington Legends 9, Delmarva Shorebirds 2

The Legends jumped out with six runs in the first three innings which carried plenty of weight for starter Jace Vines, who tossed a career-high eight innings. Second baseman Gabe Cancel has been carrying a big stick as of late, hitting .452/.478/.810 over his last 10 games.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 1-4, R, 3b, 2 RBI, BB
Emmanuel Rivera 2-4, 2R, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Gabe Cancel 3-5
Jace Vines 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 13-4 GO-FO, 98p/69k

Helena Brewers 7, Idaho Falls Chukars 4

The league’s worst pitching staff continued their struggles, allowing six earned runs (7 runs total) to keep their team ERA above 7.00. Outfielder Vance Vizcaino extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a home run. During the streak, Vizcaino is hitting .396/.423/.688 with eight extra base hits.

Boxscore Link

Vance Vizcaino 2-4, HR, 2 RBI
Amalani Fukofuka 2-5, R, CS (1)

Elizabethton Twins 9, Burlington Royals 3

A rough return to the Appy League for lefty Joey Markus, taking the loss and giving up six runs in three innings in Burlington’s defeat.

Boxscore Link

Michael Gigliotti 2-5
Jeison Guzman 0-5, hitting just .154 to start his year
Seuly Matias 0-5, K, E (4)
Cal Jones 3-4, R

AZL Royals 8, AZL Cubs 0

The Royals got a combined shutout from three different pitchers while the bats pounded out 10 hits and eight runs. The Royals second round pick, MJ Melendez continued his impressive play going 3 for 3 with 3 RBI at the plate, while also throwing out one attempted base stealer.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 2-5, 2R, RBI, 2 SB (7)
Nick Pratto 1-4, 2R, 2b, RBI, BB
MJ Melendez 3-3, 3 RBI, BB, 1-2 CS/Att

DSL Royals 4, DSL Rays1 2

They only picked up three hits, but the Royals crossed the plate three times in the first inning. That was enough behind a good pitching effort.

Boxscore Link

Rovaldis Cabrera 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 5-1 GO-FO
Warling Vicente 2-3, 2R, BB
Reynin Reynoso 1-3, R, 2b, 2 RBI, BB