Jonathan Sanchez made his first rehab start on Tuesday for Omaha and actually pitched well. He allowed just one run on three hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He threw 76 pitches. However, the bullpen blew the game and the Storm Chasers lost to Iowa, 5-4.

Doug Davis, in his second outing for Omaha, allowed four runs over just 1.1 innings. Two of those runs were allowed by Roman Colon in the 8th inning.

Also on a rehab assignment was Yuniesky Betancourt, who had been playing for NW Arkansas. He played second base, went 2-for-4, and hit a two-run homerun in the 6th inning.

Former Royal Mike MacDougal pitched an inning of relief for Iowa.

NW Arkansas had off on Tuesday and begins their roadtrip in Midland on Wednesday night.

Wilmington never led, but a six-run 6th inning put the game at Carolina out of reach, as they lost 11-3. The Blue Rocks had just six hits, with Brian Fletcher collecting two of them.

Blue Rocks starter Tyler Sample didn’t pitch that bad. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter. Two of those runs scored after he left the game (off reliever Edwin Carl).

Kane County worked so hard to tie the game (two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning), only to lose the game in 11 innings, 5-4. In that 9th inning, Daniel Mateo and Jorge Bonifacio hit back-to-back homeruns.

Matt Ridings took the hard-luck loss, as he allowed just that one run on four hits over five innings of relief. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The winning run scored on a leadoff double, in which a throwing error allowed him to score.

The Cougars had their chance in the bottom of the 11th inning. Mateo grounded into a double play after Justin Trapp walked to lead off the inning. Bonifacio singled and Lane Adams reached on an error (he had two hits). However, Michael Antonio grounded out to end the game.

Jake Odorizzi won his first Triple-A game, as Omaha beat Salt Lake, 5-2. He allowed just one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven.

The Storm Chasers hit three homeruns: Clint Robinson, Tony Abreu, and Wil Myers. Myers went 2-for-4 and Derrick Robsinon went 2-for-3 in the win.

Down 8-0 after the top of the second inning was a deficit NW Arkansas could never completely dig out of, as the Naturals lost to Midland, 9-8. Noel Arguelles lasted just 1.1 innings in the loss.

The Naturals out-hit the RockHounds, 12-8. Christian Colon, Sharlon Schoop, Eric Duncan, and Nick Van Stratten each had two hits. CC scored three runs and Schoop hit a three-run homerun.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks complete their first series sweep of the season, with a 3-0 victory over visiting Potomac with a day game. They held just a 1-0 lead until the 8th inning when Brett Eibner and Cheslor Cuthbert drove in runs (Cuthbert had two hits).

Tyler Sample and the Blue Rocks bullpen outdueled the P-Nats. Sample allowed just two hits (though he walked four) over five innings. He struck out six. Jon Keck followed Sample with three scoreless innings of relief. Sam Runion picked up his first save of the season with a perfect 9th inning.

Jose Bonilla, who was just added to the roster from extended spring training on Tuesday, went 3-for-4 in his first start of the season behind the plate.

Kane County scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning en route to their 4-3 victory at home over Burlington. Michael Antonio hit a two-run double in the 8th inning for the win.

Lane Adams and Antonio went 6-for-8, as Adams scored two runs in the win.

Jason Mitchell earned the win in relief of Edwin Carl (5IP, 6H, 3R, BB, 4K), as he pitched two shutout innings and allowed just one hit.

It was a decent week for the KC Royals, who moved two games out of last place (ahead of the Minnesota Twins). They went 3-3 last week and are 9-18.

Omaha went 4-3 last week, as they lost their first series of the season in Nashville. Overall, the Storm Chasers are 22-10, in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division, and have an 8.5 game lead.

NW Arkansas went 4-3 this past week, as they lost their four-game series in Springfield. The Naturals are 15-15 overall and are in second place in the Texas League’s North Division.

Wilmington went 3-4. The Blue Rocks are 12-17 and are sitting in third place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division.

Kane County went 3-3 last week. Overall, the Cougars are 14-16 and sit in fifth place in the Midwest League’s Western Division.

So it wasn’t a great week in the Royals system, so who brings home the awards?

Hitter of the Week:

Majors: Alex Gordon. He has seen his batting average climb, as he went 9-for-24 (.372) last week. He had three doubles, scored six runs, and drove in five.

Honorable Mention: Jarrod Dyson. The main reason I didn’t pick him for the award was the strikeouts (six in 24 at-bats). He did go 8-for-24 (.333) with six runs scored, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.

Minors: Geulin Beltre, Blue Rocks. After being benched after not giving effort two Friday’s ago, Beltre has taken off. He went 12-for-26 (.462) with two runs scored and five RBIs.

Honorable Mention: Johnny Giavotella, Omaha. He is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak. He went 11-for-28 (.393) with eight runs scored and eight RBIs.

Pitcher of the Week:

Majors: Last week, I gave this award to four relievers in the bullpen. Four were solid again this week (no earned runs over 11 innings). However, I’m going with Felipe Paulino. He returned from the DL to start on Saturday against the NY Yankees. Paulino won, going six shutout innings. He allowed four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Honorable Mention: The four in the bullpen: Jonathan Broxton (2-for-2 in save opportunities), Louis Coleman (three hits over two innings, though he got sent back to Triple-A), Tim Collins (two hits and seven strikeouts over 3.2 innings while also picking up a win), and Kelvin Herrera (two hits and four strikeouts over 3.1 innings).

» Continue reading “Royals Blue Aid Weekly Awards”

There were two day games on Wednesday for the KC Royals affiliates. Both were late game losses.

The Omaha Storm Chasers lost in 11 innings in Nashville, after leading 4-0 heading into the 7th inning. The Sounds walked off, 5-4, on a Corey Patterson RBI double.

Everett Teaford started for Omaha and did not allow a run over 5.2 innings. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four. The bullpen allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over the final five innings.

The Storm Chasers out-hit Nashville, 12-10. Irving Falu and David Lough each collected three hits. Johnny Giavotella and Max Ramirez each went 2-for-5 with Gio driving in three runs.

NW Arkansas lost their day game in Springfield, 2-1 after taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 7th inning. Justin Marks started for the Naturals and did not allow a run over six innings. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

Carlo Testa continues to hit, as he went 2-for-4 with his fifth homerun of the season.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks’ winning streak came to an end tonight, as they lost 2-1 to visiting Salem. Tyler Sample was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs (in the first inning) on just one hit and four walks over five innings. He struck out nine.

Sample was out-dueled by Red Sox prospect Brandon Workman, who allowed a solo homerun to Brett Eibner over six innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out six.

Geulin Beltre continues to hit, as he went 2-for-3 in the loss.

A three-run 8th inning gave Kane County the victory over Peoria, 6-3. Murray Watts capped the inning with a two-run double. That hit made a winner of reliever Scott Alexander, who allowed an unearned run over 3.1 innings. He allowed two hits while striking out five.

Watts hit a three-run homerun in the 2nd inning that originally gave the Cougars a 3-1 lead.

Cougars shortstop Orlando Calixte made his 15th error of the season in the 9th inning. He’s on pace for about 70 errors. For the Cougars sake, I hope that pace SLOWS down.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks lost to the Winston-Salem Dash, 5-3 in the first game of their seven-game homestand. Manager Vance Wilson was not happy with the effort his team gave and had a closed door meeting following the game. You could tell he still was not happy when talking to us media folk.

“I thought we were flat. I don’t like to use the excuse of us getting in at four o’clock in the morning because they [Winston-Salem] got in at seven o’clock in the morning. To me, that’s an excuse, a crutch. So I’m a little disappointed in the guys…even in the ninth inning, some guys on the bench didn’t really think we could come back and win.” Wilson said.

On having nine hits and four walks, but only scoring three runs:

“Again, there were some issues hustling to first base on one play that I think would have gotten us a run. It is what it is and we have to figure out how to get those runs in.”

It will be interesting to see if there will be some changes to the starting lineup for Saturday’s game.

Onto the pitching performances, starting with Tyler Sample:

“Hitters he did get ahead, he picked and picked and got behind. Obviously he shot himself in the foot with the two errant throws to first. But again, that’s A-ball. The biggest thing for me is not what he did tonight, but what his work is this week and what he does in his next start.”

On reliever Chase Boruff‘s impressive outing. He threw just 18 pitches over two perfect innings:

“Luebb [pitching coach Steve Luebber] and I talked about getting him into a game when we were behind and let him work out some stuff. He was outstanding. We would have sent him back out for a third if we would have tied it.”

On Jon Keck‘s performance (three scoreless innings of relief):

“Keck’s thing is when he pitches aggressive as he did tonight, he’s really good. But in A-ball, it’s about him learning how to do that every time he goes out, instead of being aggressive one time or the next time kind of tentative. He was aggressive for the whole time he was out there…”

Blue Rocks first baseman Brian Fletcher went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. He was kind enough to talk to us following the loss:

The Wilmington Blue Rocks return home after a fairly successful road trip (4-3). Tonight’s game starts a seven-game homestand beginning with Winston-Salem (11-8 and tied for first place in the Southern Division). The two teams just met last weekend when the Blue Rocks began their eight-game road trip (one game was suspended due to the rain in Salem).

It is Friday night, so that means another Fireworks Night. I’m expecting a big crowd, though the cold temps and windy conditions could scare people away (it seems like it’s always cold when I go to a game). On the team’s website, it says that it is also “Halfway to Halloween Night” and fans are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costume. Should I be afraid?

The Amazing Christopher is also supposed to perform (one guy and four life-size puppets):

The big news surrounding the Dash is the 50-game suspension that was just handed down to starter Andre Rienzo for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. The Brazilian native was scheduled to start Saturday night’s game. He is the Chicago White Sox #17 prospect according to Baseball America.

The Dash will be throwing Jake Petricka on the mound, who is their 4th best prospect according to BA. He has struggled in his second year in the Carolina League. He will be opposed by Tyler Sample.

Other White Sox prospects to watch for are: centerfielder Trayce Thompson (#3), catcher Michael Blanke (#20), and third baseman Carlos Sanchez (#21). Thompson’s older brother Klay was a star basketball player for Washington State (he now plays for Golden State in the NBA). Thanks to the Dash game notes for that tidbit. Left fielder Brady Shoemaker has been the Dash’s hottest hitter, hitting .353 with three homeruns and 11 RBIs. Shoemaker was college teammates with current Dash teammate Nick Ciolli at Indiana State.

» Continue reading “A Cold Night in Wilmington”

Tyler Sample pitched Tuesday night like the veteran that he is of the Wilmington Blue Rocks staff (6IP, 3H, R, BB, 7K).

Chase Boruff continued his struggles of the 2012 season at a higher level (two runs on two hits and three walks, though two were intentional). However he rebounded to earn the victory after the Blue Rocks FINALLY cashed in with runners on base in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Boruff should build some confidence in the way his outing ended (and that the coaching staff stayed with him instead of bringing in another reliever). He struck out four of the final six batters he faced and he put away Carolina quickly in the 9th inning.

Following the game, manager Vance Wilson talked about finally coming through with runs, Boruff’s outing, Sample’s outing, and Angel Franco scoring from first base on Whit Merrifield’s double down the third base line.

Whit Merrifield talked about his big hit, the resiliency of the team, and what it’s like to play a day game after a night game. The Blue Rocks play Wednesday at 11am ET (he expects to hear a ton of SpongeBob SquarePants). He also talked about going home to Winston-Salem this weekend.

*I took some video from the game of Sample and Boruff, along with Carolina starter Clayton Cook. I hope to have that up sometime tomorrow. I will also have photos up too. Check out this site’s Facebook page for updates.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are trying to win their first series of the season, after taking the first game of their series at home against the new member of the Carolina League, the Carolina Mudcats. The two teams have already played at Carolina and the Mudcats won 2-of-3 last week.

The Kinston Indians were one of the longest tenured teams in the CL, but sagging attendance and new ownership brought the move this season to Carolina. I grew up going to Blue Rocks games and had the privilege to watch many Kinston players reach the big leagues with either parent club Cleveland, or another team (Jhonny Peralta, CC Sabathia, Victor Martinez, Bartolo Colon, Sean Casey, Richie Sexson, and Jaret Wright to name a few).

Kinston played at Granger Stadium, which opened in 1949. It had a real brick outfield wall, which many players didn’t believe until they ran into it. I remember Blue Rocks outfielder Norris Hopper running head first into it and coming out with a lump on his head.

So forgive me if I refer to them as the Indians.

Tonight’s pitching matchup pits two Carolina League returnees: Clayton Cook against the Blue Rocks Tyler Sample. These two faced off on April 11th, with the Mudcats taking the game.

 
Lineups for tonight:

Carolina: Tyler Holt (CF), Tony Wolters (SS), Giovanny Urshela (3B), Jesus Aguilar (1B), Jeremie Tice (DH), Jake Lowery (C), Carlos Moncrief (RF), Ronny Rodriguez (2B), and Delvi Cid (LF).

Blue Rocks: Whit Merrifield (2B), Alex McClure (SS), Cheslor Cuthbert (3B), Brian Fletcher (1B), Brett Eibner (CF), Roman Hernandez (LF), Geulin Beltre (RF), Kevin David (C), and Angel Franco (DH).

» Continue reading “Live from Wilmington”

The Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs 11-10 in a wild game to keep their four game lead in the Pacific Coast League’s North Division. There were 20 combined hits, each team had four errors, and there were five hit batters.

The Zephyrs jumped out to a 6-1 lead against Omaha starter Sean O’Sullivan through two innings. Kevin Pucetas came on in relief and threw 4.2 shutout innings and let the Storm Chasers offense go to work. They scored nine runs combined from the 4th inning through the 6th inning to take a 10-6 lead. The Zephyrs however made it interesting, as they scored three runs in the 8th and another in the 9th inning to cut the deficit to one. With the tying run on third base and two outs, Omaha closer Kelvin Herrera got Ramon Vazquez to ground out to end the game.

The NW Arkansas Naturals have gone flat with a playoff spot on the line. They have lost four in a row as they lost to the Tulsa Drillers 7-5. Tulsa is now just two games back of the Naturals for the second half title (the Drillers have won six in a row). Including Monday’s game, the two teams meet four more times before the end of the season.

Tulsa jumped all over Naturals starter Jake Odorizzi right from the beginning, as he allowed five runs over the first two innings. He did hang in there to last 5.1 innings, but he allowed six runs on seven hits. The Naturals cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the 8th inning on Paulo Orlando’s solo homerun (one of his three hits), but Kevin Chapman allowed a solo homerun to Mike Zuanich in the top of the 9th inning and Dustin Molleken retired the Naturals in order in the bottom of the 9th inning.

Prior to the game, the Naturals did receive some reinforcements from the eliminated Wilmington Blue Rocks. Starting pitcher Elisaul Pimentel (who will start Wednesday night) and reliever Kendal Volz were promoted to fill the empty roster spots (Jeremy Jeffress, who left his last start when he took a ball off his ankle, and Mario Santiago, who took a ball off his hand, were both placed on the DL).

To replace the two pitchers the Blue Rocks lost, they gained right-hander Cole White from Kane County and Andrew Stueve from Rookie-ball.

Stueve arrived in Salem (or at the local airport) about 15 minutes prior to the first pitch. He ended up throwing two perfect innings of relief to earn the victory in the Blue Rocks 5-4 win over the Red Sox. With the game tied at 4-4 in the top of the 9th inning, the Blue Rocks scored without a hit. Whit Merrifield walked, took second base on an errant pickoff throw, and scored on two consecutive wild pitches from Red Sox reliever Jeremiah Bayer. This all came after a wild 7th inning.

The Blue Rocks took a 4-2 lead on Carlo Testa’s two-run inside-the-park homerun. Salem right fielder Bryce Brentz jumped at the wall to try and make the catch but hit the wall and fell down. He did not move while Testa circled the bases. Brentz did get up and climb onto the cart, as he was carted off the field (he was walking around in the clubhouse after the game). The Red Sox had already lost three-hole hitter Kolbrin Vitek in the middle of his 3rd inning at-bat. Salem tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the 7th inning against Blue Rocks reliever Ryan Dennick, as Miles Head drove in the tying run on a ball off Dennick’s glove (Head was hit three times in his previous at-bats against Blue Rocks starter Tyler Sample).

Sample allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over five innings. Red Sox starter Anthony Ranaudo allowed two runs (none earned due to his two errors) on three hits and four walks over four innings (he has been limited over the last month). Ranaudo did strike out six.

With the playoff race coming down to the final week, the Kane County Cougars have fallen flat. Once in first place in the Midwest League’s Western Division, they have now fallen to four games back of the red-hit Quad Cities RiverBandits (who have won eight in a row). The Cougars lost 2-0 to the Peoria Chiefs (and have lost four in a row). The hard luck loser for the Cougars was Yordan Ventura, who allowed two runs on five hits over five innings. One of those runs came on Richard Jones’ solo homerun. The Cougars collected just one hit in the game, a Jake Kuebler single off Chiefs starter Luis Liria.

The Omaha Storm Chasers grounded into FIVE double plays, as they lost the series opener 6-2 at Salt Lake. They were also just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In the loss, Jarrod Dyson, Clint Robinson, and Yamaico Navarro each had two hits. Jeff Suppan took the loss, as he allowed five runs on ten hits and three walks over six innings.

In one of his best outings in Double-A (if not his best start so far), NW Arkansas Naturals starter Jake Odorizzi allowed just three hits over 6.1 innings. Edgar Garcia pitched 2.2 perfect innings of relief to pick up the save. The Naturals picked up the win, 2-0, as they collected just four hits (the Frisco RoughRiders did make three errors). Rey Navarro had two of the Naturals four hits and Nick Francis picked up the Naturals lone RBI with a sac fly.

Wilmington Blue Rocks starter Tyler Sample allowed a run to the visiting Lynchburg Hillcats in the top of the first inning. The Blue Rocks offense came right back to score four in the bottom of the inning. They picked up a leadoff triple from Whit Merrifield, an RBI double from Nick Van Stratten, a sac fly from John Whittleman, an RBI ground out from Ryan Stovall, before Yem Prades hit a solo homerun to cap the scoring. The Blue Rocks would score some more to win 9-3. Sample allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits over six innings. Jon Keck picked up the save by pitching three hitless innings of relief.

With the game tied at 1-1 heading into the 6th inning, the Peoria Chiefs scored four runs in the top of the inning. The Kane County Cougars scored a run on Brian Fletcher’s solo homerun in the bottom of the inning. However the Chiefs scored single runs in the 8th and 9th inning on solo homeruns against Cougars reliever Nick Rogers to win 7-2. Two Cougar errors cost them three runs. Fletcher and Geulin Beltre each collected two hits in the loss.

The Cougars had more in attendance (12,587) than the TB Rays had when the Royals were in town this week (the most the Rays had was a little over 11,000).