KC Royals - KIDS Edition

[SubGod22]

Thursday's Game Suspended in 9th Inning

OMAHA, Neb. - Thursday night's game between the Omaha Storm Chasers and Las Vegas 51s has been suspended and will be completed at 6:15 p.m. Friday, the Storm Chasers announced following a rain delay in the ninth inning.
The Chasers held a 5-3 lead entering the final frame, but Las Vegas rallied for four runs to take a 7-5 lead and still had the bases loaded with no outs when the rains came and the umpires halted play. By rule, the game must be continued due to the fact that the visiting team gained the lead during the inning in which the delay occurred.

Bullpen brigade combines to shutout Tulsa

TULSA, OK - Tasked with recording 25 outs, the Naturals bullpen turned in perhaps their finest effort in franchise history and held the first place Tulsa Drillers to just three hits in a 2-0 whitewashing Thursday night at ONEOK Field.
The win moved Northwest Arkansas (20-16) within a half game of first place Tulsa (22-17) in the Texas League's North Division race.

Things looked grim seven pitches into the first inning. Naturals' starter John Lamb departed with an injury and the bullpen faced 8 1/3 innings of work ahead of them. Lamb got Tulsa leadoff hitter Tim Wheeler swinging to start the bottom of the first and got Hector Gomez to fly out for a quick second out.

One pitch into his at-bat against Tulsa's Ben Paulsen, Lamb appeared to feel something wrong with his left elbow. Naturals' trainer Tony Medina and skipper Brian Poldberg went to the mound and the decision was made to lift Lamb as a precaution. The left-hander has been diagnosed with elbow discomfort and will be further evaluated Friday.

:( Smith will pitch tonight.

BATISTA BLASTS, MARKS DEALS IN 1-0 WIN AT SALEM

Salem, VA - Deivy Batista's first home run of the year came at an opportune time. His solo shot to left off Chris Balcom-Miller (3-1) made for the Wilmington Blue Rocks' only hit in a 1-0 win against the Salem Red Sox (21-17) on Thursday night. That single score stood up thanks to seven sterling innings by Justin Marks (2-2) at the start and a pair of dominant closing frames by Brendan Lafferty in saving the team's third shutout win of the season.
The Blue Rocks went 5-2 on their road trip and swept the four-game set from the Red Sox. Salem went 0-7 on its homestand for the first time since June of 1982. Wilmington's win combined with a Frederick 14-6 loss to Potomac to vault the Blue Rocks into sole possession of first place in the CL North.

Marks struck out seven and walked two over a career-high-tying seven innings of three-hit ball.

Sample pitches today.

Cougars lose 3-1.

[RoyalShock]

Elbow discomfort?

Ruh roh, raggie.

[SubGod22]

Elbow discomfort?

Ruh roh, raggie.

I cringed when I saw that. Lamb is supposed to be one of the future starters. Hopefully this is nothing. He may miss a few starts but they're going to play is safe. If he does go on the DL for a bit, the question is, would they call up Odorizzi from Wilmington?

[RoyalShock]

Whatever they do, they need to proceed with extreme caution. I just hope that if this is one of those things that inevitably leads to TJ surgery, they do it sooner rather than later.

[SubGod22]

Weekend catch up... Las Vegas Deals Storm Chasers Pair of Losses

OMAHA, Neb. - Las Vegas starting pitcher Brad Mills fired eight innings of four-hit, shutout baseball, helping the 51s take down the Omaha Storm Chasers 6-1 Friday night at Werner Park. The loss, coupled with a ninth-inning meltdown that carried over from Thursday to Friday due to a rain-suspended game, gave the Storm Chasers two losses in a four-hour span and dropped them to just five games over .500 at 23-18 on the season.

Chasers Drop Another Heartbreaker

OMAHA, Neb. - The Las Vegas 51s stunned the Omaha Storm Chasers 8-6 in 10 innings Saturday night at Werner Park, following a 2 hour and 25 minute rain delay between the top and bottom of the first inning. The 51s rallied with one run in the eighth, three in the ninth and two more in the 10th inning off a depleted Chasers bullpen that had only four available pitchers entering the night.
Danny Perales' game-tying, two-run triple in the ninth and Travis Snider's long two-run home run in the top of the 10th proved to be the decisive blows, as the 51s beat the Storm Chasers for the third time in two nights to ensure the Chasers' first-ever series loss at Werner Park.

Clint Robinson doubled and scored twice for the Storm Chasers, who fell to 23-19 on the season and have seen their six-game lead over Iowa cut in half since the start of the homestand. Irving Falu and Paulo Orlando added back-to-back RBI doubles in a three-run sixth inning, giving the Storm Chasers a seemingly commanding 6-2 lead in the game.

Short-Handed Storm Chasers Swept by 51s

OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers were swept aside by the Las Vegas 51s Sunday afternoon, losing 11-7 in the fourth and final game of a weekend series at Werner Park. The 51s again beat up on the Storm Chasers' depleted bullpen, scoring five times in the seventh, twice in the eighth and once in the ninth inning to win the ballgame.
Omaha starting catcher Lucas May, who homered early in the game, entered as the pitcher in the eighth with the Storm Chasers trailing 8-3 and out of available relievers. He held his own over two frames, allowing three runs - two earned - on five hits. He exited to hearty applause from the afternoon crowd of 5,233 after completing each inning of work.

For the Storm Chasers, Lorenzo Cain had his second-consecutive solid day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and his third home run of the year. Clint Robinson also reached safely with an infield single with two out in the ninth, then came around to score on an Irving Falu RBI triple. That sequence extended a trio of streaks for Robinson, giving him 14-straight games reaching base, nine-straight games with a hit and eight-straight games scoring a run. Recent roster addition Jarrod Dyson did not fare as well, finishing the series 1-for-14 without a walk or extra-base hit.

Pucetas will try and get the O-Royals back on track tonight.

Bats alive as Naturals top Travs

SPRINGDALE, AR- Christian Colon went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored and the Naturals erupted for a six-run fifth as they came back to beat the Travelers 9-5 Sunday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark.
Northwest Arkansas (21-18) actually mounted a pair of comebacks on the afternoon, tying the game at one on a two-out single from Jeff Bianchi in the bottom of the second after the Travs took a 1-0 first inning lead before the Naturals came to bat. Back came the Travelers in the third. Luis Jimenez hit a two-run homer in the top of the third that gave North Little Rock a 3-1 lead.

That lead seemed safe for the Travs as their starter Eddie McKiernan was crusing along, having allowed four hits and the lone run through four frames. Things unraveled for him in the fifth, however.

Mario Lisson doubled to left to start the frame and scored on an RBI triple from Nick Van Stratten. McKiernan got Derrick Robinson swinging for the first out before Colon singled home Van Stratten to tie the game at three. Anthony Seratelli and Jamie Romak followed with back to back walks to load the bases. Tim Smith followed and drew a bases loaded free pass to give the Naturals a 4-3 advantage.

It appears yesterdays game was also cancelled. Derrick Robinson activated from DL

The 23-year old Robinson, in his second season with the Naturals, is batting .254 with five RBI, an on-base percentage of .361, and nine stolen bases. He was placed on the disabled list on May 3rd with a groin injury.

A member of the Royals' 40-man roster, the Archer, FL resident was the Royals' fourth-round selection in the 2006 draft. Last season, he led the Texas League with 50 stolen bases and following the season was ranked by Baseball America as the 26th best prospect in the Kansas City system.

In a corresponding move, left-handed starting pitcher John Lamb was placed on the seven-day disabled list with left elbow discomfort.

Lamb, the 20-year old resident of Laguna Hills, CA was lifted from his start at ONEOK Field on Thursday night after recording two outs and throwing just seven pitches. He is currently awaiting results from an evaluation by the Royals' medical staff in Kansas City.

Looks like Dwyer is pitching game 1 this morning. Not sure who's starting game 2.

ROCKS KEEP ON ROLLING

Wilmington sent eight men to the plate in the decisive frame, which began with one of those Pelican errors. Leury Garcia gloved Alex McClure's soft roller toward the left side of the infield cleanly, but the shortstop's throw sailed over his first baseman's head, allowing McClure to reach safely. After Jose Bonilla laid down a successful sacrifice bunt, Joey Lewis drew a free pass. Deivy Batista followed with a broken-bat infield single that loaded the bases for Whit Merrifield.

The Rocks' most consistent hitter of the last month came through yet again, grounding one sharply back through the box for a single that scored a pair and put Wilmington in front for good. Carlo Testa added two critical insurance runs when he laced a two-run triple into the left-center field alley.

Dennick's clutch performance preserved the win for Wilmington starter Tyler Sample. The right-hander lasted a career-high eight innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while fanning a pair. Sample (2-3) retired the last 18 batters he faced and 24 of the final 25. All of this against a Pelican offense that entered the night with the highest batting average and most runs scored in the Carolina League.

WILMINGTON TAKES WIRE-TO-WIRE WIN

Wilmington started the game with a bang, getting three consecutive extra-base hits to open the bottom of the first inning. Whit Merrifield laced a one-hopper off the fence in left for a double which set the night's tone. Carlo Testa followed with a triple to left that gave the Rocks a 1-0 lead. Testa then came around to score on Rey Navarro's ensuing RBI two-bag knock to the right-center field alley. Myrtle Beach starter Wilfredo Boscan (0-2) walked the next two batters before finally recording an out. But Jose Bonilla got the Rocks one more run when he lifted a sacrifice fly into right field.

The Rocks added to their advantage in the fourth, plating a pair on an RBI double off the bat of Testa and a run-scoring single up the middle by John Whittleman. The Rocks made it 6-1 in the fifth on an RBI fielder's choice grounder by Merrifield. They blew the game open an inning later with three more tallies.

It was more than enough for Rocks' starter Jake Odorizzi. The right-hander allowed a run in the second inning, but avoided further damage by pitching around two runners in scoring position with only one away. He then used the double play to his advantage in the fourth, fifth and sixth frames. Odorizzi (4-0) allowed lead-off singles to open each of the innings, but then induced twin-killings from the very next batter on his way to three successive minimum-faced frames.

He was not as overpowering as he had been in previous starts, fanning only four, but he was pitch efficient. Odorizzi went 6.2 innings, yielding one run on seven hits while walking only one.

ROCKS EQUAL SEASON-HIGH WITH SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN

Arguelles did not pitch poorly in his own right. The southpaw pitched into the sixth inning for the fourth time in 2011, fanning five while allowing just one run on six hits. His counterpart took the tough-luck loss, allowing two scores on seven hits but fanning 10 and walking none in 7.2 innings pitched.

Pimentel pitches tonight.

Kane County has a solid hold on 7th place right now at 18-26... I really wish they had more info on what goes on there.

[SubGod22]

Jirschele Records 1,000th-Career Win

OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha manager Mike Jirschele earned his 1,000th-career victory in his fifth attempt at history Monday night, as the Storm Chasers edged the Tucson Padres 2-1 in front of a Monday night crowd of 5,166 at Werner Park. The win was the first on the homestand for the Storm Chasers, snapping a mini four-game losing skid.
Chasers' starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas (4-1) became the first four-game winner on the staff this season, going seven strong innings while allowing one run on seven hits. He walked three and struck out three. Mario Santiago, recently promoted from Double-A Northwest Arkansas, earned his first save in two excellent innings of work. The 26-year-old righthander allowed just two hits and no walks, striking out three batters.

Omaha got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Johnny Giavotella lined a two-out RBI single to left to bring home Lance Zawadzki, then added a second run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk by Manny Pina. Tucson shortstop Logan Forsythe plated the lone Padres' run in the seventh on an RBI fielder's choice grounder.

Jirschele improved to 1,000-956 (.511) lifetime in four managerial stops over 14-plus seasons, the vast majority of which have come in Omaha. In all, 787 of his 1,000 career victories have been with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, most in Omaha franchise history.

Monty scheduled to go tonight.

Monday twinbill washed away

SPRINGDALE, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals' Monday doubleheader against the Arkansas Travelers has been cancelled due to the continuous heavy rain showers. The game began but was called after the top of the second inning with no score.
The game will not be made up because this is the Travelers' final trip to Northwest Arkansas in the first half of the season, and, due to two doubleheaders scheduled for the Naturals' early June trip to North Little Rock, there is nowhere to fit the game on the schedule. This is the fifth rainout the Naturals have suffered at Arvest Ballpark this season; marking a club record.

The waterlogged Naturals and Travelers, to date this season, have had 12 games scheduled between the two teams, and only seven have taken place.

They're off today. Baumann scheduled for Wednesday.

WILMINGTON'S WIN STREAK COMES TO A CLOSEMelville pitches today.

Kane County won it with 4 in the 9th. They're trying to make a run at 6th!

[SubGod22]

Chasers Walk - Well, Run-Off with Victory

OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha Storm Chasers pinch-runner Lance Zawadzki raced home from second base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning, sending the Chasers to an improbable 6-5 victory over the Tucson Padres Tuesday night. The victory was the club's second in a row and first late-inning, comeback victory at brand-new Werner Park.
Like many of the runs to come across the plate on this night, wildness did in losing pitcher Evan Scribner (0-2) in the final frame. Clint Robinson led off with a walk, and was removed for the fleet-of-foot Zawadzki. Lorenzo Cain then fought off a tough pitch to lay down a beautiful sacrifice bunt, followed by an intentional walk to Irving Falu to set up the double play possibility. Manager Mike Jirschele, one game removed from his 1,000th-career win, called on pinch-hitter Kila Ka'aihue, who worked the count full. On the game's final pitch with the runners on the move, Ka'aihue watched ball four kick away from catcher Guillermo Quiroz, who had no chance to retrieve it and throw back to the plate in time to get Zawadzki.

The game looked like it would slip out of control early, as Storm Chasers starting pitcher Mike Montgomery couldn't find the strike zone during much of his 3.2-inning stint. He allowed five runs on three hits, hit two batters and walked four - including one with the bases loaded - to put the Storm Chasers in an early hole. He threw 48 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Blake Johnson then came on in relief, and walked the first man he faced - again with the bases loaded - and just like that it was 5-1 Tucson.

That's when the Storm Chasers beleaguered and depleted bullpen took over. Johnson, Jesse Chavez and winning pitcher Blaine Hardy (2-2) tossed 7.1 innings of scoreless relief, keeping the Storm Chasers in the game. Each had given up at least two runs in each of their previous two outings heading into Tuesday's contest.

Omaha third baseman Mike Moustakas thrilled the partisan crowd on Mike Moustakas replica jersey T-shirt night, collecting two hits including a game-tying, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to knot the score at 5-5. He almost won it in the 10th with a runner on third and two out, but his opposite-field smash was hauled in by leftfielder Cedric Hunter just before he crashed into the padded wall.

Jeffress to pitch today.

ROCKS FINALLY FIND KEY TO BEATING FREDERICK

Wilmington, DE - Tim Melville turned in another solid start and the Wilmington offense took advantage of four Frederick errors as the Blue Rocks topped the Keys, 3-1, on Tuesday night at Frawley Stadium. It was Wilmington's first win in six tries against Frederick in 2011.
Melville (5-4) threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 23 batters he faced, including 12 of the game's first 13. That command allowed him to pitch around a few mistakes. The right-hander yielded three extra-base hits, but also stranded three runners in scoring position during his 5.2 frames of work. Melville allowed only a fourth-inning score on Jacob Julius' RBI double. After that, he set down six straight before walking his last batter of the game with two outs and nobody on in the sixth.

Sample and Marks expected to piggyback todays game.

Kane County lost.

[SubGod22]

Omaha got rained out last night and plays a DH this evening.

Baumann deals as Naturals top 'Riders

FRISCO, TX - Buddy Baumann fired six shutout frames and got support from an offensive burst in the middle innings, carrying the Northwest Arkansas Naturals to a 6-2 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders at Dr. Pepper Ballpark on Wednesday night.
Baumann (1-2) made his second start of the year for the Naturals (22-18) after spending the beginning of season in the bullpen. He had taken the mound in a spot start earlier this month and had been extended to four innings in each of his last three outings.

The left-hander worked efficiently throughout the night, setting down the first six batters he faced. After Engel Beltre opened the third inning with a double, Baumann promptly struck out Jose Felix and got Guilder Rodriguez to ground into a double play, erasing the threat.

Baumann faced the minimum through the first five innings and needed just 67 pitches to work through the end of the sixth. In his six innings, Baumann tied the team's season high with seven strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Will Smith started this afternoons game.

WALK-OFF WILD PITCH WINS IT FOR WILMINGTON

Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks earned their first walk-off win of the 2011 season in unorthodox fashion on Wednesday afternoon at Frawley Stadium. Yem Prades scored from third as an attempted pitch-out from Frederick reliever Sean Gleason got by catcher Brian Ward, and the Rocks had a 6-5 come-from-behind victory.
Prades began the final frame with a double that snuck just inside the third-base chalk. He was then sacrificed to third on a perfect bunt by Tim Ferguson. Evidently the Keys thought another bunt was coming, as they called for the pitch-out that ended the game.

They're off today and Odorizzi will pitch tomorrow.

KC was rained out.

[SubGod22]

I was gone this weekend and will try to catch up a bit. I may update stats tomorrow at some point as well assuming I'll have that much down time. Which I will.

Chasers Split Doubleheader, Take Series

Omaha starting pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (0-1) had mixed results in his second outing of the year for Omaha, giving up three runs over 2.2 innings pitched. He exited having thrown 33-of-53 pitches for strikes, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out three batters. Luis Mendoza was excellent in relief, going 4.1 shutout innings the rest of the way, striking out four.

Game 2: Omaha 8, Tucson 3

The Storm Chasers walked their way to an 8-3 victory in the second game of the night, taking advantage of seven free passes issued by Tucson starting and losing pitcher Aaron Poreda (2-2). Poreda threw just 17 of his 51 pitches in the strike zone, putting himself in trouble in the first two innings.

David Lough snapped out of an 0-for-9 hitting funk with a pair of hits and three runs batted in, and Lorenzo Cain added two more RBI including one on a ground-rule double deep to right-centerfield. Johnny Giavotella was also quietly effective, going 1-for-1 with two walks, two runs and a sacrifice bunt.

Storm Chasers Beat Memphis

Memphis, TN - Vin Mazzaro worked six solid innings and Kila Ka'aihue drove in three runs to lead Omaha past Memphis, 4-2, Friday night in the opener of a four-game set at Auto Zone Park. The Storm Chasers improved to 27-21 and lengthened their lead over Iowa in the American Conference North Division to six games after the Cubs fell at Round Rock.

Mazzaro allowed a lone run on four hits while walking two and striking out six to improve to 2-0. He did not give up more than one hit in any inning and recorded one strikeout in each of his six frames.

Redbirds Come Back to Stun Storm Chasers
Redbirds Rally to Down Storm Chasers
Storm Chasers "Slam" Memphis to Secure Series Split

Memphis, TN - Lance Zawadzki's grand slam capped a five-run sixth inning that lifted Omaha to a 9-2 victory over Memphis Monday afternoon in the last of a four-game set at Auto Zone Park. The Storm Chasers return home at 28-23 and holding a five game lead over Iowa in the American Conference North Division after their sixth win in eight meetings with the Redbirds.

Jarrod Dyson opened the game with a walk, stole second base and scored on a base hit by Johnny Giavotella, as the Storm Chasers tallied in the first inning for a third time in the series. Memphis evened the score in the second when starting pitcher Jeremy Jeffress uncorked a wild pitch with the bases loaded.


Omaha regained the lead for good in the sixth when Lorenzo Cain was hit by a pitch with the sacks filled to plate Mike Moustakas, who started the decisive rally with a one-out single. Zawadzki then followed with his grand slam to make it a 6-1 game and chase Memphis starter Adam Ottavino from the hill.

Baumann named Pitcher of the Week
Midland explodes late, routs Naturals 11-3

Dwyer (1-4) allowed just a pair of walks and struck out six through the first five innings of his outing, holding a 2-0 lead at that point. But after Dwyer retired the first batter of the bottom of the sixth, five consecutive Midland (20-29) batters reached base on four hits and an intentional walk, led by Adam Heether's two-run double that tied the score.

Naturals end trip with loss in MidlandNaturals are off today, then Will Smith will pitch tomorrow.

LATE RALLY PROPELS PELICANS TO 3-2 WIN

Olt's two-out single in the first inning knocked in Bolden against starter Jake Odorizzi, who displayed some uncharacteristic command issues. Numerous deep counts included seven strikeouts and three walks over just 3.1 innings of work for the highly-touted prospect. Lefty Ryan Dennick kept the Blue Rocks very much in the game though. He allowed just one hit over 2.2 scoreless innings in bridging the way to the seventh.

ARGUELLES GETS EJECTED IN 4-0 SHUTOUT LOSS

Myrtle Beach, SC - Despite getting the leadoff man on base five times, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (28-19) failed to score for the first time all season in a 4-0 loss to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (29-19) on Saturday night. The Pelicans got all of their tallies on homers, three in total. All three came against Noel Arguelles (2-2), who was ejected for throwing behind Vinny DiFazio, one of the home run hitters, the plate appearance after Mike Olt smashed a one-out dinger in the sixth. Wilmington is the last CL squad to suffer a shutout setback this season.

PELICANS POUND PIMENTEL, ROUT BLUE ROCKS
GROUNDHOG DAY FOR WILMINGTON IN LOPSIDED DEFEATMarks and Sample expected to piggyback tonights game.

What little I can find on KC has them now 23-28. Cougars' duo strikes out 18 Rattlers

Yordano Ventura recorded a career-high 10 punchouts over five innings and Greg Billo fanned eight the rest of the way as the Cougars edged the visiting Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 2-1.

Kane County heartbreak Four runs in the bottom of the 11th win it.

The DSL Royals started play this weekend and went 0-3. Like KC, info isn't the easiest to come by.

[SubGod22]

Chasers Fly Past Zephyrs 15-10

OMAHA, Neb. - It wasn't pretty, but the Omaha Storm Chasers will gladly take their come-from-behind victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs in front of 4,858 fans Tuesday night at Werner Park. The Chasers blew 6-3 and 9-7 leads before scoring five runs in the sixth and one in the eighth, pulling away from a heavy-hitting New Orleans squad.
Lucas May was the offensive hero for Omaha, belting the first-ever grand slam at Werner Park and later adding a solo blast for good measure. His five RBI were a season high and the most since he hit two homers and drove in six runs while playing for Triple-A Albuquerque in June of 2010. Mike Moustakas added a two-run double and solo homer and Clint Robinson came through with three hits, including his 12th long ball of the season.

Mazzaro pitches tonight.

Top lefty prospect may need Tommy John

KANSAS CITY -- Royals left-handed pitching prospect John Lamb could be headed for Tommy John surgery.

General manager Dayton Moore said that Lamb has an appointment on Wednesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yocum to have his ailing left elbow examined and determine if reconstructive surgery is necessary.

Will Smith will pitch tonight.

MARKS STELLAR IN SHUTOUT SETBACK AT KINSTON

Kinston, NC - Blue Rocks southpaw Justin Marks carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Tuesday night. With two outs in the frame, a just-fair double by Adam Abraham scored Jeremie Tice from first base, and made for the game's only run as Marks (2-3) and the Blue Crew (28-22) took a tough-luck at Kinston against the Indians (26-24), 1-0. The Blue Rocks have lost a season-high five in a row scoring just six runs in that time. They finished the month of May with a losing record as a result (14-15).

Odorizzi pitches next.
Rocks' Marks loses a heartbreaker

Justin Marks was closing in on history Tuesday night. Instead, he took the textbook definition of a tough-luck loss.

The Royals prospect carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing an RBI double as the Wilmington Blue Rocks were blanked by the Kinston Indians, 1-0.

Marks (2-3) got himself in trouble by walking Jeremie Tice with two outs in the seventh. Adam Abraham followed with a two-strike double down the left-field line but was thrown out at third after Tice crossed the plate with the game's lone run.

"It was supposed to be in the dirt and I thought it was going to be a swing and a miss, but I left it in the zone and he got the best of it," Marks said of Abraham's double.

A 2009 third-round Draft pick, Marks settled for his Carolina League-leading second complete game. He walked two and struck out seven in his best start at the Class A Advanced level.

"At the moment, very frustrating. Probably the maddest I've been with myself all season," the University of Louisville product admitted. "To get two strikes and not be able to put him away like that and make that sort of mistake. ... Looking back on the game, I take it for what it's worth -- we got shut out, they got one run, there's not much I can do about it. That's just part of the game."

The 23-year-old left-hander is 1-1 in his last three starts, despite allowing only two runs and striking out 20 while walking four over 19 innings.

KC lost but the DSL Royals picked up their first win.

[SubGod22]

As promised...

Omaha:
1B Clint Robinson - .352, 39R, 13 2B, 12HR, 36 RBI, 22 BB, 33 SO
SS Irving Falu - .328, 2 2B, 5 3B, 11/17, 6 SB
RF David Lough - .318, 40 R, 13 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 12/22, 4 SB
CF Jarrod Dyson - (12 games) .313, 11 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 5/7, 8 SB
1B Kila Ka'aihue - (19) .300, 10 R, 4 2B, 15 RBI, 17/11
CF Lorenzo Cain - .295, 27 R, 14 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 13/42, 5 SB
2B Johnny Giavotella - .285, 27 R, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 22/30, 4 SB
3B Mike Moustakas - .281, 34 R, 12 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 18/38
LF Paulo Orlando - .239, 7 2B, 1 HR, 9/19, 4 SB
C Lucas May - .176, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9/22 - Traded on 6/1

Mike Montgomery - 2-2, 5.18, 11 GS, 57.1 IP, 34 BB, 48 SO.
Kevin Pucetas - 4-1, 4.14, 11G (8GS), 50.0, 18/37
Vin Mazzaro - 2-0, 4.34, 7GS, 37.1, 18./37
Jeremy Jeffress - 0-1, 6.35, 3GS, 5.2, 7/5

NWA:
2B Anthony Seratelli - .294, 31 R, 5 2B, 4 HR, 25/24, 10 SB
OF Wil Myers - (20 games/DL) .284, 2 2B, 2 HR, 9/20
CF Derrick Robinson - .270, 2 2B, 1 3B, 14/26, 13 SB
C Salvador Perez - .264, 6 2B, 3 HR, 6/14
2B Jeff Bianchi - .262, 10 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 20 RBI, 8/36, 4 SB
SS Christian Colon - .235, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 16/17, 9 SB

Will Smith - 3-5, 4.63, 9GS, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 46.2, 13/23
Chris Dwyer - 1-4, 6.14, 9GS, 1 CG, 44.0, 26/34
Buddy Baumann - 1-2, 4.58, 12 (3), 1 SV, 35.1, 21/34
John Lamb - 1-2, 3.09, 8GS, 35.0, 13/22. Most likely done for a while.
Edgar Osuna - 4-1, 7.60, 8 (7), 34.1, 11/33
Brandon Sisk - 2-1, 4.24, 14G, 23.1, 6/25
Patrick Keating - 1-2, 4.15, 17G, 6 SV, 21.2, 4/25
Kelvin Herrera - 1-0, 2.16, 7G, 2 SV, 8.1, 1/14

Wilmington:
2B Rey Navarro - .298, 21 R, 12 2B, 6 3B, 2 HR, 13/27, 5 SB
OF Whit Merrifield - .289, 35 R, 13 2B, 1 HR, 21/42, 12 SB
1B John Whittleman - .238, 22 R, 13 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 28/44

Justin Marks - 2-3, 4.80, 10 (6), 2 CG, 50.2, 13/41
Tim Melville - 5-5, 4.83, 10GS, 50.1, 18/33
Elisaul Pimentel - 3-3, 5.36, 9GS, 47.0, 14/30
Jake Odorizzi - 4-0, 2.31, 9GS, 46.2, 12/66
Tyler Sample - 2-3, 2.84, 9 (7), 44.1, 19/26
Noel Arguelles - 2-2, 2.84, 9GS, 44.1, 5/31
Bryan Paukovits - 0-1, 3.13, 9G, 1 SV, 23.0, 4/16
Kevin Chapman - 0-1, 3.98, 13G, 6 SV, 20.1, 6/36

Kane County:
Brett Eibner has still only played 2 games due to injury. I believe they expect him to be back sometime next month.
LF Brian Fletcher - .328, 9 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 7/24
3B Cheslor Cuthbert - .308, 1 3B, 2 HR, 3/8
SS Gerard Hall - .283, 22 R, 13 2B, 4 3B, 21/38
3B Ryan Stovall - .277, 10 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 10/36
OF Alex Llanos - .254, 26 R, 11 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 11/43
OF Lane Adams - .241, 20 R, 7 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 14/41, 7 SB

Leonel Santiago - 4-5, 3.09, 11GS, 67.0, 14/56
Leondy Perez - 1-5, 2.54, 10GS, 56.2, 13/47
Sugar Ray Marimon - 3-3, 3.16, 10GS, 51.1, 18/44
Greg Billo - 3-1, 1.42, 9 (5), 44.1, 11/44
Dusty Odenbach - 2-1, 2.30, 14G, 27.1, 11/28
Chas Byrne - 1-1, 3.75, 15G, 2 SV, 24.0, 5/25


If I've missed a name or there's someone you're curious about let me know and I'll add them. It's very possible for me to miss a guy, especially if there's been a promotion.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Good start for Cheslor Cuthbert. Kind of an "enigma" considering the price he demanded when signed. Really yound and this is his first "full" season of pro ball.

[SubGod22]

Lucas May is no more. Royals acquire righty Pizziconi for catcher May

Pizziconi, a 19-year-old signee out of Italy, had a 2.57 ERA in 49 innings pitched for the Missoula Osprey and Yakima Bears in 2010. The Royals assigned him to Rookie level Idaho Falls.

Catcher Cody Clark was reinstated from the seven-day disabled list to fill the Omaha roster spot.

[SubGod22]

Storm Chasers Roll to Third Straight Win

Mike Moustakas singled three times while Johnny Giavotella doubled twice, walked and scored three runs for the Chasers, who have scored at least nine runs in each of their last three games. Falu, Ka'aihue and Lorenzo Cain added two hits apiece in helping to deal the Zephyrs their fifth straight loss away from home. Vin Mazzaro put together another outstanding performance on the mound for the Chasers. He yielded two runs on six hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out five to improve to 3-0.

Pucetas will start tonight. Also, the Storm Chasers have a Play of the Game video.

Romak's HR not enough Wednesday

SPRINGDALE, AR- Jamie Romak hit a game-tying three run homer in the third inning but a fifth inning homer from Frisco's Renny Osuna proved to be the difference as the RoughRiders edged the Naturals 5-4 on Wednesday evening at Arvest Ballpark.
Romak's homer, his sixth on the season, came during a four-run third that represented all the offense the Naturals got on the evening. Derrick Robinson led off with a single and moved to second on a single from Jeff Bianchi. Both runners moved up 90 feet on a double steal and then Frisco's infield was unable to make a play on the ensuing groundball off the bat of Anthony Seratelli, allowing Robinson to come in and cut Frisco's lead to 4-1. Romak followed with the longball that tied the game.

Zach Miner takes the mound tonight.

ROCKS RIDE NAVARRO'S HOMER TO SHUTOUT WIN

Kinston, NC - With a pair of prized prospects going head-to-head, it was no surprise the bullpens decided the fate of Wednesday morning's meeting between the Wilmington Blue Rocks (29-22) and the Kinston Indians (26-25) at Historic Grainger Stadium. The Blue Rocks' Jake Odorizzi struck out eight over six scoreless frames of three-hit ball. But it was middle reliever Tyler Sample (3-3) with the win and closer Kevin Chapman bolting down his team-leading seventh save in the Rocks' fourth shutout win of the year, 2-0. Rey Navarro hit a two-run homer as the Rocks snapped a season-worst five-game losing skid.

Jake Odorizzi lowered his season-long ERA to 2.05. He has struck out a league-high 74 men in 52.2 innings this season. He also paces CL starters in strikeout efficiency with his average of 12.65 whiffs per nine innings. The one-time top-ranked prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Baseball America, owns a 5.3:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio (74K:14BB). After a pair of so-so starts to begin his tenure as a Royals farmhand, he has gone 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA during an eight-start span.

Blue Rocks win duel behind Odorizzi

"I throw four pitches -- fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. Once you get ahead, you can do a lot more things," Odorizzi said. "You pitch off that so you have the option to throw more breaking balls. Everything worked nicely together."

Odorizzi, who said joining the talent-rich Royals system was an easy transition, has been working on his off-speed stuff.

"Last year, I spent the majority of the year working on my changeup with the Brewers," he said. "I'm throwing it in all counts now -- I focus on it a lot in my bullpens."

Now, with fellow elite talents like Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Mike Montgomery and John Lamb on the way up, Odorizzi has a chance to move up quickly and form a new era of winning in Kansas City.

"I'm hoping to be promoted [to Double-A Northwest Arkansas] around the All-Star break or a little bit before, but I can't control the moving-up process. I just gotta pitch well where I'm at," he said.

"I'm excited about it," he said of the Royals' potential. "We've got a bunch of young talented pitching, and hopefully we'll turn it around. They've been hitting a rough stretch in the Major Leagues, and hopefully we can change that over time."

KC loses again...

As do the DSL Royals.

[RoyalShock]

You have to think Odorizzi is right on the cusp of a promotion, particularly since it looks like Lamb could be out awhile. Single-A hitters aren't providing much of a challenge for him. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in NWA in the next week.