The NW Arkansas Naturals have the second-best record in the Texas League and lead their division by four games, but only garnered one postseason All-Star. That All-Star was recently promoted catcher Salvador Perez.

The Omaha Storm Chasers put together impressive offensive middle innings to pound the New Orleans Zephrys 14-1. With the game tied at 1-1, Omaha scored one run in the 4th, three runs in the 5th, five runs in the 6th, three runs in the 7th, and one run in the 8th. Storm Chasers starter Luis Mendoza was the recipient of all the offense, as he allowed one run on seven hits over six innings. Every Omaha hitter had at least one hit (seven players had multi-hit games).

Clinging to a 1-0 lead, the Springfield Cardinals put together five, two-out hits in the bottom of the 4th inning to break the game open, as they defeated the Naturals 9-0. The Naturals collected just two hits in the loss, both by Mario Lisson. Deryk Hooker returned from the DL for Springfield and allowed just one hit over six shutout innings. Jeremy Jeffress got the start for the Naturals, but took a line drive off his leg in the first inning and left with an ankle contusion. The Naturals now begin a series with Tulsa, who sit four games back in the standings.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks and Salem Red Sox played two on Friday night (sound familiar?). The first was a completion of a suspended game from seven weeks earlier with the Blue Rocks leading 2-0 in the second inning. Michael Mariot, who started the game back then, restarted the game on Friday night. He took the loss, as three Blue Rocks errors cost them five runs in the 7-4 loss (they have the worst fielding-percentage in the league). Stolmy Pimentel, who the Blue Rocks hit around last weekend, limited them to two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings to pick up the win.

In the second game, it took an outstanding throw from Blue Rocks right fielder Nick Van Stratten to preserve the 6-5 win. With the bases loaded and just one out in the bottom of the 7th inning, Derrik Gibson hit a fly ball slightly into foul territory. Van Stratten made the catch and threw a laser home to get Pete Hissey for the game’s final out (I so wish there was video). This was all after the Blue Rocks led 6-2 after three innings. Red Sox starter Ryan Pressly took the loss, as he allowed six runs (two earned) over six innings. On the season against the Blue Rocks, Pressly is 0-5 with a 6.39 ERA. Bobby Jenks will start for the Red Sox in a rehab appearance on Saturday night.

The Blue Rocks closer for two months in 2009, Juan Abreu, was called up to the big leagues by the Houston Astros. He was traded to the Astros from the Atlanta Braves for Michael Bourn at the trading deadline this July. Blue Rocks catcher Jose Bonilla, who hasn’t played since August 16th, was finally put on the DL with a lower body injury. He was replaced on the roster by another catcher, Travis Jones (who was up not too long ago from Kane County).

Despite scoring five runs in the top of the 3rd inning and tying the game at 7-7 in the 4th inning, the Kane County Cougars were thrashed 19-7 by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Timber Rattlers bullpen (Brian Garman and Maverick Lasker) completely shut down the Cougars offense after the starter was taken out three batters into the 4th inning. They allowed just one hit (and no walks) over the final six innings while striking out seven.

Yup it’s day two of the two days of doubleheaders here in Wilmington between the Blue Rocks and Salem Red Sox. The first game is set to begin at 12:35pm with Justin Marks on the hill for the Blue Rocks against Ryan Pressly for the Red Sox.

Not sure what the crowd will be like, but it’s hot right now and storms are expected later in the afternoon. It’s also a Sunday, where the crowds are notoriously lighter.

Red Sox lineup: Derrick Gibson SS, Heiker Meneses 3B, Kolbrin Vitek DH, Bryce Brentz RF, Miles Head 1B, Alex Valdez 2B, Peter Hissey CF, Shannon Wilkerson LF, and Josue Peley C.

Blue Rocks lineup: Whit Merrifield 2B, Carlo Testa LF, Nick Van Stratten RF, John Whittleman 3B, Ryan Stovall 1B, Yem Prades CF, Tim Ferguson DH, Julio Rodriguez C, and Deivy Batista SS.

» Continue reading “DH Day Two in Wilmington”

The KC Royals signed their 21st round pick, catcher Kenny Swab from Virginia. If you watched the College World Series, you may remember seeing him patrolling centerfield for the Cavaliers (where he pretty much played over the final two months of their season). Not sure where he’ll be assigned, but it may take him a bit to re-adjust to catching.

From what many said that were in attendance for his start, Omaha Storm Chasers starter Mike Montgomery pitched the best that he has all season on Friday night. It was much needed as he has struggled mightily for the most part this season. Through 6.2 innings, Montgomery gave up just two hits while walking three. He struck out seven in his scoreless outing. He faced off against Albuquerque All-Star (and former big leaguer) Dana Eveland. The Storm Chasers got to Eveland in the 3rd inning when Mike Aviles hit a grand slam. Aviles, David Lough, and Joaquin Arias had two hits in Omaha’s 6-0 victory.

What dogs the big league Royals has begun to dog the Royals minor league affiliates. Despite outhitting San Antonio 11-10, the NW Arkansas Naturals lost to the Missions 4-1. They were just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Every Naturals starter had a hit except Anthony Seratelli, as Derrick Robinson, Wil Myers, and Nick Francis collected two each.

Salem's Ryan Pressly

For most of his outing, the Wilmington Blue Rocks were baffled by Salem Red Sox starter Ryan Pressly. They had just one hit against him until the 7th inning (a Nick Van Stratten first inning single), yet led 1-0 (they scored in the 5th without courtesy of a hit). In the 7th with one out, John Whittleman drove in the Blue Rocks second run of the game on a single to right field. After a pitching change, Tim Ferguson drove in the Blue Rocks third and final run. The Red Sox had plenty of chance against Blue Rocks starter Justin Marks and the bullpen, but stranded 13 runners. Marks walked three in the 5th to load the bases but struck out Miles Head to end the inning. He came up again in the 7th (this time against reliever Tyler Sample) with runners at the corners, but grounded out to end the inning. The Blue Rocks held on for the 3-0 win (quotes and photos to come).

The Kane County Cougars held a 4-0 lead after four innings, but the Beloit Snappers stormed back to win 6-4. They scored three runs in the top of the 8th inning to take the lead for good. The Cougars collected just a walk against two Snappers relievers over the final five innings after chasing starter AJ Achter. The Cougars scored all their runs via the homerun ball from both Cheslor Cuthbert and Travis Jones.

» Continue reading “Royals Friday Minors Recap with Blue Rocks Coverage”

Via Whit Merrifield

It’s another fireworks night in Wilmington, as the Blue Rocks face off against the Salem Red Sox. It is their BIG July 4th celebration as the team will be on the road for the holiday. The Blue Rocks donned stars and stripes hats (and like most teams, the hats don’t go well with the powder blue uniform). Both teams’ rosters have turned over quite a bit since the last time they faced each other, as the Blue Rocks lost ace Jake Odorizzi following last night’s game to Double-A NW Arkansas as the most recent move.

Tonight, the Blue Rocks will throw the piggy-back combination of Justin Marks (3-5, 4.97 ERA) and Tyler Sample. The Red Sox will counter with Ryan Pressly (4-7, 4.54 ERA).

Here are the lineups the two will face:

Red Sox: Shannon Wilkerson CF, Kolbrin Vitek DH, Jorge Padron LF, Bryce Brentz RF, Miles Head 1B, Alex Valdez 3B, Josue Peley C, Zach Gentile 2B, and Derrick Gibson SS.

Blue Rocks: Yem Prades CF, Carlo Testa LF, Nick Van Stratten RF, John Whittleman 1B, Ryan Stovall 3B, Tim Ferguson DH, Jose Bonilla C, Gerard Hall SS, and Deivy Batista 2B.

It is a beautiful night for baseball and it looks like there will be a big crowd.

» Continue reading “July 4th Celebration in Wilmington”