HR Roll Call Samir Duenez (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Samir Duenez 2-4 HR, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Travis Eckert 6 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 5 K 4-4 GO-FO 75p/51k

New Orleans Baby Cakes 4 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

Omaha’s starter Jake Junis struggled some in this one as the righty gave up eight hits and four runs in just four and two-third innings. A fourth inning three-run home run by former Storm Chaser Moises Sierra was the big blow off Junis. Despite his struggles, Jake set his personal best at Triple-A with eight strikeouts in in his limited time on the mound.

A 3 for 15 effort with runners in scoring position limited Omaha to just one run despite outhitting New Orleans in the game.

Boxscore Link

Ryan O’Hearn 2-3 BB
Peter O’Brien 2-4 RBI
Jake Junis 4.2 IP 8 H 4 R 4 ER 1 BB 8 K 5-0 GO-FO 84p/61k

Springfield Cardinals 6 NW Arkansas Naturals 4

A two-run home run by Samir Duenez gave the Naturals a lead in the first inning, but the pitching staff couldn’t secure it leading to a late loss. Lefty Matt Tenuta gave up a three-run second inning home run that put NW Arkansas behind. The Naturals would tie the game in the fourth, fall behind in the fifth and tie it up again in the sixth on a Ruben Sosa single. The game would stay tied until the ninth inning when Springfield would get to reliever Jake Newberry for two hits and a pair of runs, his first allowed, to saddle NW Arkansas with the loss.

Boxscore Link

Zane Evans 2-4 2R, 2b
Pedro Fernandez 3 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 1 BB 4 K 3-0 52p/32k
Donald Dewees 2-5 R, RBI

Augusta GreenJackets 2 Lexington Legends 1 F/10

Through eight and two-third innings, the Legends had scored the game’s only run. At that point, Augusta got in a rundown between first and second base which allowed the tying run to score from third prior to the out being recorded. Tie game and with just one hit in the affair, Lexington was unable to mount a threat before the GreenJackets scored the winning run in the tenth inning.

The lack off offense gave starter Travis Eckert a no-decision despite six shutout innings.

Boxscore Link

Emmanuel River 1-4 3b
Khalil Lee 0-3 BB, R, SB (6)
Ofreidy Gomez 4 IP 5 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 4 K 6-1 GO-FO 66p/44k

HR Roll Call: Jorge Bonifacio (3), Ramon Torres (3), Zane Evans (1), Anderson Miller (1), Manny Olloque (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Chris DeVito 3-4, 2R, 2b, RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jon Dziedzic 6.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 10-2 GO-FO, 100p/61k

Omaha Storm Chasers 7 New Orleans Baby Cakes 0

One day shy of 20 years since the Triple-A Royals affiliate threw a combined no-hitter, the Storm Chasers came within three outs of their own no-hit effort. Left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic got things started, working five and one-third perfect frames until Ramon Torres’ nonchalant play at short ended in a misthrow, allowing Isaac Galloway to reach via error in the sixth. A walk followed to the next hitter before Dziedzic worked through the sixth and got a couple more outs in the seventh before getting pulled due to reaching his scheduled pitch count. Reliever Bobby Parnell would finish the seventh and toss a perfect eighth frame before turning things to Matt Strahm for the ninth. Facing former Storm Chaser Ryan Jackson, lefty Strahm battled until losing a seven-pitch confrontation when the right-handed hitter singled on a ground ball just inside the first base bag.

The Royals reliever would quickly earn three outs to finish off the game and secure the win, giving Omaha their second one-hit win of this homestand. For Dziedzic, it was his best performance of his pro career and reminded him of his last college start. During that start, he limited Ryan O’Hearn and his Sam Houston State squad to no hits over 8.2 innings.

Leading the offense was Torres with a grand slam in the second inning and Jorge Bonifacio with a home run in the fifth inning. For Torres, it was his third home run of the season after hitting just two in 73 games with Omaha last year.

Boxscore Link

Jorge Bonifacio 1-3, 2R, 2RBI, BB
Whit Merrifield 3-4, R
Matt Strahm 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GO-FO, 19p/12k

Corpus Christi Hooks 10 NW Arkansas Naturals 3

The Naturals got knocked around by the Houston Astros Double-A affiliate in the first game of their series. Starter Corey Ray gave up a pair of home runs and the bullpen got knocked around during the rout. The Naturals collected 10 hits but were limited to just three runs as only Zane Evans’ first home run of the year went for extra bases. Reliever Tim Hill had a tough go of things, giving up five runs on a walk and five hits in just 1.1 innings.

Boxscore Link

Samir Duenez 2-3, BB
Zane Evans 2-4, HR, 2 RBI
Corey Ray 4 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 4-0 GO-FO, 76p/45k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 5 Potomac Nationals 4 F/11

The Blue Rocks scored a run in the eleventh inning to win their first series of the season. The Rocks trailed two separate times with lefty Cristian Castillo giving up four runs (3 ER) in his five innings, but that didn’t deter the offense from continuing to put on the pressure in the seventh. In that frame, trailing 4-1, the Rocks received a one-out walk by Chase Vallot and back-to-back singles from Roman Collins and Wander Franco to plate a run and put the tying runners on base. A two-out walk to Colton Frabasilio loaded the bases before Nicky Lopez’s single tied the game. From there, it would stay knotted until the eleventh inning when Franco and Collins paired up once again for one-out singles in front of Jonathan McCray’s double that gave the Rocks a lead and the eventual win.

The Blue Rocks, now 5-5, will head to Salem for a three-game series with the Red Sox affiliate.

Boxscore Link

Anderson Miller 2-5, HR, CS
Wander Franco 3-5, R, RBI
Cristian Castillo 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 4-5 GO-FO

West Virginia Power 13 Lexington Legends 5

The Legends Nolan Watson continued to struggle to limit hard contact in the 13-5 loss on Sunday. The former 1st round pick gave up a home run and four doubles in 5.1 innings while surrendering six other hits and eight runs. Reliever Jose Veras didn’t fair much better, getting knocked around for a dinger and four runs in his 2.2 innings. The middle of the order did pretty much all of the damage for Lexington, collecting nine of the team’s ten hits on the day.

Boxscore Link

Kort Peterson 2-5, 2R, 2-2b
Manny Olloque 1-5, HR, 2 RBI
Nolan Watson 5.1 IP, 11 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 7-3 GO-FO, 95p/63k

Featured Photo via Minda Haas Kuhlmann Flickr @minda33

HR Roll Call Zane Evans (6), Austin Bailey (2), Joe Dudek (4)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Chris DeVito 2-5 R, 2-2b, 4 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Alex Massey 3 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 4 K 4-0 GO-FO

Iowa Cubs 4 Omaha Storm Chasers 0

The Chasers are winding down the season in last place and Saturday’s offensive performance showed why as the team had just four opportunities with runners in scoring position. They missed out on all four chances while getting shutout on five singles and one double with three walks mixed in there. The Chasers used three different Royals on the hill in the loss with starter Jason Vargas giving up four runs in his six innings on six hits in five innings. The lefty didn’t walk a batter in that five innings while striking out six, allowing a two run home run in the third inning and back to back RBI hits in the fifth. In his second rehab outing Wade Davis struckout one and and gave up a hit while Kris Medlen worked two perfect innings.

Boxscore Link 

Jason Vargas 5 IP 6 H 4 R 4 ER 0 BB 6 K 1-6 GO-FO 74p/49k
Wade Davis 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K 11p/7k
Tony Cruz 2-3 2b, BB

Arkansas Travelers 3 NW Arkansas Naturals 2

The Naturals lost their third game in a row to fall behind Arkansas in the division by a half of a game in the standings. Reliever Miguel Almonte continued his less than stellar season, giving up a run in the seventh that put the Naturals behind 3-2 in the loss. Catcher Zane Evans hit a game tying home run in the fourth, but NW Arkansas couldn’t push a run across after to fall behind in the race.

Boxscore Link

Terrance Gore 2-3 R, BB, 3SB (43), CS (5)
Zane Evans 1-4 HR
Ashton Goudeau 6 IP 10 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 9 K

Myrtle Beach Pelicans 7 Wilmington Blue Rocks 1

A rough one for the Rocks on Saturday in a convincing loss. The Pelicans starter James Pugliese shutout Wilmington while limiting them to just two hits over nine innings. This occurred as starter Derek Gordon and Sam Selman were giving up seven runs in their six and two-third innings on the hill. Just four hits for Wilmington in the loss.

Boxscore Link

Austin Bailey 1-4 HR
Brandon Downes 1-4 2b
Sam Lewis 2.1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 BB 2 K

Delmarva Shorebirds 6 Lexington Legends 2

After no hits allowed during five innings of his last starter A.J. Puckett struggled in this one. The righty was dinged up for nine hits and six runs, giving up eight singles and a home run in that time while striking out two. The six runs were plenty for Delmarva as the Lexington hitters connected on just five hits and a pair of runs during the loss.

Boxscore Link

Ben Johnson 1-2 2b, RBI, BB
Franco Terrero 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 2 K 40p/29k
Chase Vallot 1-4 R

Orem Owlz 11 Idaho Falls Chukars 5

The Chukars were out thumped as the two teams combined for 22 hits and 11 walks in the game. The Owlz cashed their seven walks adn 12 hits into 11 runs thanks to four Idaho Falls errors, including Ricky Aracena’s 35th and 36th errors of the season. In the loss first baseman Joe Dudek hit his fourth home run in his twentieth game for Idaho Falls.

Boxscore Link

Joe Dudek 1-2 HR, 3 RBI
Nick Heath 2-5 R, CS (8)
Ricky Aracena 2-5 RBI

Burlington Royals 7 Pulaski Yankees 0

The Royals put up their tenth shutout of the year in another big win as the season winds down. The win kept Burlington three games ahead in the division with six runs in the first four innings. Shortstop Nicky Lopez got it started with a leadoff triple in the first prior to scoring on a Chris DeVito double. The two paired up again in the third inning when Lopez scored on DeVito’s bases clearing double prior to him scoring on a sac fly. Three pitchers tossed the shutout with Geoffrey Bramblett working five innings scoreless with just two hits and a walk allowed before turning things to Alex Massey and Walker Sheller to toss the final four innings scoreless.

Boxscore Link

Alex Massey 3 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 4 K 4-0 GO-FO
Nicky Lopez 2-3 3R, 3b, 2 BB
Chris DeVito 2-5 R, 2-2b, 4 RBI – franchise record 49 RBI

AZL Royals 6 AZL Padres 5

The Royals stepped one game closer to the second half division championship with their win Saturday night. A three run sixth inning gave the Royals a lead after trailing 3-2 before giving it back up in the seventh to tie the game at 5-5. With the game tied Khalil Lee drove in the eventual winning run with a ground out in the eighth. Reliever Matt Wynne closed things out with two K’s in a perfect ninth inning. The Royals can close the division out with a win in the final two games.

Boxscore Link

Grant Gavin 4.2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 6 K
Seuly Matias 1-2 R, 2 BB
Jeison Guzman 2-5 R, 3b, 2 RBI

HR Roll Call: Mauricio Ramos (8), Corey Toups (8), Zane Evans (4), Chad Johnson (5)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Mauricio Ramos 3-5, 2 R, 2b, HR, 4 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Cristian Castillo 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 5-5 GO-FO

NW Arkansas Naturals 13 Corpus Christi Hooks 3

The Naturals blew up a 4-3 game with nine runs in the final two innings for a blowout win. Second baseman Corey Toups started the game with a leadoff home run and from there the Naturals scored runs in six of their nine innings including the huge ninth. Single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings put the Naturals ahead 4-2 with Mauricio Ramos connecting on his eighth home run in the fifth. Starter Josh Staumont missed out on a win due to his control problems, walking five in 4.2 innings despite just two hits allowed and seven strikeouts. With the score at 4-3 Ramos doubled in two runs to push the Naturals lead to 6-3. A seven run ninth inning put the game out of reach as the Naturals connected on six hits in the frame, including Zane Evans third home run of the season that capped the scoring.

Boxscore Link

Alfredo Escalera 3-5, 2R, 2b, 3 RBI
Corey Toups 1-4, 2R, HR, 2 RBI
Josh Staumont 4.2 IP, 2 R, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 7 K, 1-3 GO-FO, 99p/53k

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Frederick Keys 0 

The Rocks pitchers worked around ten hits to toss a shutout during their comfortable win on Thursday evening. Starter Foster Griffin worked six innings while scattering six singles over that time to earn his third win for Wilmington. The Rocks offense provided a pair of runs in the fourth when Elier Hernandez scored on a wild pitch and Robert Pehl drove in Chad Johnson with a single. After two more runs in the seventh and a three run eighth that included a Johnson home run, the bullpen finished off their three innings for the shutout. It was the third shutout of the season for Wilmington.

Boxscore Link

Foster Griffin 6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 9-4 GO-FO, 74p/51k
Elier Hernandez 2-4, 2R, 2b, 3b
Mike Hill 1-3, R, RBI

Augusta GreenJackets 3 Lexington Legends 2 F/10

Despite some solid pitching by the bullpen, the Legends dropped a game in extra innings. Trailing 2-0 after two innings, the Legends plated a pair of runs thanks to two Augusta errors. From there the two teams went silent, going scoreless through the ninth inning. In the tenth, Augusta walked it off after scoring a leadoff double with a one-out single from Skyler Ewing.

Boxscore Link

Scott Blewett 4 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1-2 GO-FO, 77p/46k
Brian Bayliss 4 IP, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 5-3 GO-FO, 62p/38k
Brandon Dulin 3-4, 2b

Burlington Royals 10 Princeton Rays 0

The Royals received a dominating start and plenty of offense to win big Thursday night. Lefty Cristian Castillo put up his second brilliant start in his last three, tossing seven shutout innings. After a leadoff single to start the game and a hit batter in the first, Castillo found a groove before walking one in the third and finding a roll. The roll included a double play to snuff out the walk and retiring the final thirteen hitters he would face. The Royals offense would blow open a 2-0 game with a five-run sixth that featured a two-run triple by Tyler Straub.

Boxscore Link

Logan Gray 3-4, 2R, 2b, 2 RBI
Tyler Straub 2-3, 2R, 3b, 2 RBI
Alex Massey 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4-0 GO-FO

AZL Rangers 5 AZL Royals 2

The Royals couldn’t keep the Rangers off the board early and the offense couldn’t answer until late. The score was 5-0 through the top of nine innings after a scoring a run off all three Royals pitchers before the Royals could get on the board. In the ninth, they would plate two runs after a Seuly Matias double pushed he and another runner into scoring position, but they could get nothing else going after scoring those two.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 2-4, R, 2b
Cal Jones 2-3
Sebastian Rivero 2-4, RBI

HR Roll Call Travis Snider (1)

BP KC Hitter of the Day – Travis Snider 2-3 HR, BB, 4 RBI

BP KC Pitcher of the Day – Kyle Bartsch 4 IP 2 H 1 ER 1 BB 2 K 7-2 GO-FO 49p/31k

Colorado Springs Sky Sox 13 Omaha Storm Chasers 9

The Storm Chasers have been left a little shorthanded after all the injuries in Kansas City and it showed Thursday night. After building a commanding 9-2 lead in Colorado Springs, the starter, bullpen and defense that had players playing in unfamiliar positions ran into trouble before giving up the lead and eventually the win. Lefty Jonathan Dziedzic couldn’t prevent the Sky Sox from making the comeback, giving up nine hits and three walks in giving up nine runs. Reliever Benino Pruneda struggled mightily with the strike zone, walking three in just one and one-third innings and taking the loss partly due to a fly ball to Angel Franco that was dropped in the outfield to surrender three runs. It was Franco’s first game ever playing in the outfield. The Storm Chasers have now dropped seven of their last eight games played.

Boxscore Link

Zane Evans 2-4 2 R, RBI
Hunter Dozier 2-4 2b, R, RBI
Travis Snider 2-3 R, HR, BB, 4 RBI

NW Arkansas Naturals 5 San Antonio Missions 1

The Naturals got a big relief appearance from lefty Kyle Bartsch when starter Alec Mills was forced to leave early after a ball deflected off his hand. Bartsch, who recently rejoined the Royals organization, gave the Naturals four innings in which he gave up just one run via a solo home run in the 5th inning. Prior to Kyle rejoining the Royals, he had a 8.31 ERA in his 10 appearances as part of the Padres Double-A farm system. He’s given up just that one run in his 9.2 innings and five appearances with the Naturals. On the offensive side, the bottom half of the lineup was the catalyst to the Naturals sweeping the Mission as Bubba Starling scored a pair of runs after connecting on a two extra base hits during the game. First baseman Frank Schwindel had another good night, driving in three runs with a sac fly and a two run single.

Boxscore Link

Cam Gallagher 2-3 R, BB
Corey Toups 2-5 R
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3 R

Lynchburg Hillcats 4 Wilmington Blue Rocks 2

The Rocks were left punchless in game two of their series with Lynchburg Thursday, connecting on just six singles and scoring two runs in the loss. Starter Josh Staumont continued his personal battle with the strike zone, walking four in four and one-third innings and giving up three hits and two runs in that time to take the loss. The smoke throwing righty did manage to put seven down via the K as he hit the zone with 50 of his 93 pitches.

Boxscore Link

Josh Staumont 4.1 IP 3 H 3 R 2 ER 4 BB 7 K 4-3 GO-FO 93p/50k
Robert Pehl 2-3 RBI
Humberto Arteaga 1-3 RBI, BB, SB (10)