With the MLB All-Star Game this past week, the KC Royals only played three games. They lost their three-game home series to the Chicago White Sox (1-2). Overall, the Royals are 38-49, good for fourth place in the American League Central (10.5 games back of the White Sox).
The Triple-A All-Star Game was also held last week, so Omaha only played one series. They split their four-game home series with Iowa. The Storm Chasers are still in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 58-37, the best record in the PCL. They are also 16.5 games up.
It has been a rough second half so far for NW Arkansas, as they went just 1-5 last week. The Naturals dropped to 5-17 and sit in last place in the North Division of the Texas League. They are 10.5 games back and begin a four-game home series versus Arkansas tonight.
Wilmington is in the midst of a five-game winning streak, as they went 5-0 this past week. The Blue Rocks are in second place (12-11) and just one game back in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. They begin a four game series in Myrtle Beach tonight.
Kane County went 3-3 this past week and finish their home series today against West Michigan before enjoying the off day on Tuesday. The Cougars are tied for first place in the Western Division of the Midwest League at 13-10.
Hitters of the Week
Majors: The Royals welcomed injured players Chris Getz and Lorenzo Cain back following the All-Star break. Getz played in two games and went 3-for-7. He also drove in a run.
Cain played in all three games, going 5-for-10. He scored three runs and drove in two runs. He also hit two doubles.
Minors: Justin Trapp, Kane County. In four games, he went 6-for-14 (.429) with four runs scored, a homerun, and two RBIs. He also walked three times.
Honorable Mention: Brian Fletcher, NW Arkansas. He seems to have finally found the stroke that got him promoted in the first place. Over the past week, he went 8-for-28 (.286) with a double, a homerun, and two RBIs.
Pitchers of the Week
Majors: Greg Holland pitched in back-to-back games this weekend versus the White Sox (Friday and Saturday). He picked up the win on Saturday. He entered with two men on base and escaped. Overall on Saturday, he pitched 1.1 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out one.
Over the two days, he allowed just that one hit in 2.1 innings while striking out two. 23 of his 31 pitches were thrown for strikes.
Minors: On Friday the 13th, all four Royals full season affiliates received stellar starts. These four are my minors pitchers of the week:
Will Smith started for Omaha and picked up the victory. He allowed one run on seven hits and one walk over seven innings. He struck out six.
Michael Mariot started for NW Arkansas and took the no-decision. He did not allow a run over 7.2 innings. He allowed four hits and four walks while striking out three.
Jason Adam finally won his second game of the season for Wilmington. He allowed one run (via a solo homerun) over seven innings. He allowed six hits and no walks while striking out six.
Angel Baez has won four straight starts for Kane County. He allowed just an unearned run over six innings in his last one. He allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out ten.
