Down on the Farm, KC style

[SubGod22]

Myers gives Royals options

Royals prospect Wil Myers was a catcher through the 2010 season.

Then he became a right fielder in 2011.

In 2012, he has played primarily center field, with a couple of games at third base and a handful in right field with Triple-A Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas before that.

So where does the future lie for Kansas City's No. 2 prospect?

"Really the idea was just to create flexibility," said Scott Sharp, the Royals' director of Minor League operations. "We approached Wil and said, 'Hey, look, Chipper Jones was a shortstop and a third baseman and he broke into the big leagues as a left fielder. The reason he did was because his bat was ready and they had an established third baseman (Terry Pendleton).'

"So we just want to be able to create options with guys and not have them pegged at one position when they're talented enough to play other places on the field

Frenchy isn't in the final year of his contract like the article states. That's why Wil is getting some PT in CF

[SubGod22]

Chasers Stumped by Redbirds and Fall to Memphis, 5-1

Irving Falu went two-for-four at the dish and knocked in the lone run for Omaha (34-25) with his RBI single in the eighth inning. Jason Bourgeois also contributed offensively with two hits.

Monty starts todays noon game

Naturals sweep RoughRiders

Marks tied a season high in innings tossing seven shutout frames allowing justhits, while walking two and fanning six. The last time the left-hander wentseven shutout innings was May 18 in a win against the Arkansas Travelers.

NWA is off today. Pimentel will start tomorrow

RAIN SHORTENS A ROCKS WIN

Santiago Garrido started the game off well but had to leave the game due to injury in the third. Tyler Holt, who was on first base, took off for second as Garrido delivered to Tony Wolters. Wolters bounced a well-hit ball back at Garrido who fielded on the first base side of the mound. Garrido hurried his throw to second base but did so accurately for the first out, as Alex McClure fired the ball to first for a double play. Garrido walked around the field gingerly before manager Vance Wilson and trainer James Stone came out to check on him. After a discussion with the whole infield, Wilson escorted Garrido back to the dugout. Cole White came in and was allowed several minutes to warm up. White retired Giovanny Urshela to end the third inning.

Marimon gets the call

KC went down 0-2.

I missed that the DSL started on Saturday. The DSL Royals won the first game 5-1 but lost yesterday 4-6.

AZL Royals start play on the 20th. Idaho Falls begins play on the 18th. Burlington will begin the 19th. I'm guessing that Starling will be in IDF.

Diamonds in the Rough 6.4
POD - Justin Marks
HOD - Cheslor Cuthbert

[SubGod22]

Omaha Hangs on to Beat Memphis, 5-4

Memphis (21-38) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the third but the Storm Chasers (35-25) responded in the home half of the third when Irving Falu singled and Myers followed, two batters later, with his two-run jack.

Omaha is off today but they'll face Roy Oswalt on Thursday. Omaha starter unknown at this time

Pimentel starts today for NWA

JUMPING OUT EARLY, BLUE CREW ROLLS TO VICTORY

Sugar Ray Marimon (4-0) tossed seven shutout frames, allowing just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The Mudcats got their only two runs in the ninth inning during Chase Boruff's second inning of work. The Rocks reliever fanned four Mudcats.

Sample starts today

KC lost 0-2

DSL won 11-6

Diamonds in the Rough 6.5
POD - Sugar Ray Marimon
HOD - Jason Bourgeois

[SubGod22]

Omaha was off yesterday. Teaford will start against Oswalt. I believe this is Teaford's first appearance since he went on the DL. I believe Sal Perez is expected to start for Omaha as well. $1 beverages on Thirsty Thursday if anyone is in the area...

Naturals outduel Travelers

Elisaul Pimentel turned in another good start on the mound for the Naturals going six innings, scattering five hits and allowing just one run, while striking out five.

Dwyer starts for NWA tonight

WOLTERS CLUTCH HITS DOWN WILMINGTON
Ventura gets the call

Brooks, Cougars tip Gaviglio, River Bandits, 4-3

Kane County second baseman Daniel Mateo hit a three-run home run to cap a four-run third inning, and Cougars right-hander Aaron Brooks allowed three runs in seven innings to beat Quad Cities right-hander Sam Gaviglio in a 4-3, series-opening victory over the River Bandits at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva, Ill., Wednesday night.

Yambati starts for KC

DSL won 15-7

Diamonds in the Rough 6.6
POD - Matt Ridings
HOD - Eric Duncan

When Will Wil Myers Be A Royal?

The Royals have a decision looming. Actually, a couple of them. First, they will need to decide the right time to bring up Wil Myers, and then they will have to figure out where he will play.

You could argue that Myers is ready now. After hitting 13 homers and putting up a .343/.414/.731 line in 35 games at Northwest Arkansas, the Royals moved him up to Omaha for his first taste of AAA competition. So far it’s obviously been tough on Myers: he’s down to a .324/.375/.703 line with 7 homers in 20 games.

However. It’s not as simple as just calling him up. For one thing, he’s not even on the 40-man roster. Bringing him up would mean losing someone else, most likely. There are certainly candidates to go, but given the revolving door that has been the Royals’ pitching staff this year, I can’t see them cutting any of the pitchers. And I can see a reason for just about all of the position player candidates, too. So there is one decision that will not be easy.

[SubGod22]

When To Make The Call

On Thursday, with the Royals off, those of us with Metro Sports in Kansas City were fortunate to get a viewing of the Omaha Storm Chasers. It was a Triple-A marquee matchup as Jake Odorizzi squared off against Roy Oswalt.
Plenty of subplots, too… Sal Perez joined the team for his first rehab start as a designated hitter. And Chris Getz. (Yeah, I know.) Then there was the continuing saga of the Wil Myers Electric Power Show.

It was an opportunity for Kansas City based Royals fans to get a glimpse of the future. And it looks promising. Still.

So, when will the Royals call up Myers and Odorizzi? I know, I know… We’ve all been pondering that very question.
Let’s address Myers first.

Myers takes Oswalt for ride

With a 2-0 count and the bases loaded in the third inning Thursday, Wil Myers dug in, looking for a fastball.

Kansas City's No. 2 prospect found one and parked it over the left-field wall, hitting a grand slam for his 21st overall home run this season. This particular shot, though, stood out from the 20 that preceded it for one very glaring reason -- the pitcher who threw the fastball happened to be Roy Oswalt.

"That was the most gratifying home run I've ever hit," said Myers. "That was definitely cool. I was lucky enough to get a good pitch over the plate and put a good swing on it."

Chasers Slam Their Way to a 7-2 Win

PAPILLION, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers topped the Round Rock Express, 7-2, in front of a season-high 8,764 fans at Werner Park on Thursday night. Wil Myers went one-for-four at the plate but his lone hit was a grand slam in the third inning off of three-time All-Star, Roy Oswalt.

Jake Odorizzi (3-0) pitched one-run ball over 6.2 innings and picked up the win in relief of rehabbing Kansas City Royal Everett Teaford, who went two innings and gave up one run in his return to action. Tommy Hottovy collected the final out of the game to earn his fourth save of the season.

Pitcher TBD

Prades delivers walk-off winner

SPRINGDALE, AR - Yem Prades delivered three hits including a walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth inning, as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals topped the Arkansas Travelers 6-5 on Thursday night at Arvest Ballpark. The win keeps the Naturals just one game behind the Tulsa Drillers for the top spot in the North Division.

Arguelles starts today

BIG INNINGS BLOW OUT WILMINGTON

Yordano Ventura made his shortest start of the season on Thursday by only going 1.2 innings. It was his shortest outing since July 14, 2010 when he only last 0.2 innings when he faced the Giants of the Arizona League.

Billo and Perez scheduled to start todays DH

Cougars shut down Quad City

Cougars' starter Robinson Yambati threw seven innings of one-run ball, and allowed just four base hits and one walk, while striking out five. Casey Rasmus and Luis Mateo, both of whom entered play with modest five-game hit streaks, combined to go 0-for-7 with one walk and three strikeouts. De La Cruz led the club offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Angel Baez starts for KC

DSL wins 5-1

Diamonds in the Rough 6.7
POD - Jake Odorizzi and Robinson Yambati
HOD - Daniel Mateo

[SubGod22]

Chasers Take Friday's Game Over RoundRock, 11-5

PAPILLION, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers offense exploded to the tune of 21 hits and 11 runs in an 11-5 rout of the Round Rock Express on Friday night. Salvador Perez had a perfect night at the dish, lacing five hits in five at-bats. Friday marked the first time a Storm Chaser slapped five hits in a game since Johnny Giavotella did it on April 28 against Memphis.

Rehabbing Perez goes 5-5

After missing nearly three months due to an injury, Salvador Perez certainly hasn't taken long to get back in the swing of things.

The rehabbing Royals catcher went 5-for-5 with four runs scored on Friday, helping the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers roll to an 11-5 victory over the Round Rock Express.

Storm Chasers Rout the Express to Win, 12-5

Ryan Verdugo (4-1) picked up his fourth win of the year as he worked through six innings and allowed two runs, neither of which were earned.

Storm Chasers Win 8-6 to Sweep the Express

Tommy Hottovy worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the season. Sunday's win pushes the Storm Chasers home record to a Pacific Coast League best, 27-9

TBD

Thunder Chickens walk-off again

SPRINGDALE, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Thunder Chickens got a walk-off single from Eric Duncan in the bottom of the tenth inning to top the Arkansas Travelers 5-4 on Friday night at Arvest ballpark. The walk-off infield single was the second straight for the Thunder Chickens, who have now won six straight games, and moved into a tie for first place in the North Division with the Tulsa Drillers.

Naturals sweep Travs

SPRINGDALE, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals used a four-run first inning to complete a sweep of the Arkansas Travelers on Saturday night at Arvest ballpark. The win was the seventh straight for the Naturals, and coupled with a Tulsa loss puts them in sole possession of first place in the North Division.

Naturals stread snapped

Justin Marks was brilliant logging seven innings of work for the second straight start. The left-hander allowed five hits and one run, walking and striking out two.

Pimentel will start next. Also, NWA needs to change their name to Thunder Chickens. A much better name than the Naturals. I'd buy a hat.

DASH BRING WOOD IN DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP - Nothing worth quoting.
DASH VICTORIOUS WITH THREE HOMERS OFF ADAM

Adam (1-9) went six innings and took his eighth loss in eight decisions. He allowed eight hits and surrendered four runs.

ROCKS BLANKED IN FOURTH LOSS IN THREE DAYS

Wilmington starter Sugar Ray Marimon (4-1) did all he could in his first loss of the year. He threw six innings of two-run ball but his offense could provide him no help. He yielded seven hits and four walks and did not record a strikeout.

Sample starts today

KC won Friday 4-1 but lost the next two 1-4.

DSL lost 6-7 Friday and 1-2 Saturday. Appears that they don't play on Sundays.

Alexander Activated And Pounders Promoted And Billo To DL
Odenbach Officially Released
The Starting 9
Diamonds in the Rough 6.8
POD - Noel Arguelles
HOD - Sal Perez
Diamonds in the Rough 6.9
POD - Jason Mitchell
HOD - Irving Falu
Diamonds in the Rough 6.10
POD - Justin Marks
HOD - Tony Abreu

[SubGod22]

Surging Storm Chasers Continue Offensive Assault in Win Over Cubs

Des Moines, IA - Wil Myers belted the game-winning two-run home run in the ninth inning as Omaha outlasted Iowa, 9-7, Monday night in the first of three meetings at Principal Park. The Storm Chasers improved to 40-25 and lengthened their lead to 11 games over the Cubs in the American Conference North Division.

Odorizzi starts today

Drillers grad division lead

Elisaul Pimentel (2-4) got the start for the Naturals and went four innings allowing five runs, four of which were earned, while walking one and striking out two.

Hollingsworth starts tonight.

ZEROES AGAIN FOR WILMINGTON IN LOSS TO SOX

With no runs on three hits for two consecutive days, the Blue Rocks were shut out for the eighth time on the season and in back-to-back games for the first time all season. After being shutout six times from in the first 41 games of the season, the Rocks had pitched five straight shutouts of their own, spanning April 20 until June 4 before their offense put up a bagel on Sunday evening in Winston-Salem and on Monday against Salem.

Ventura gets the nod
MARIMON, VENTURA NAMED CAROLINA LEAGUE ALL-STARS

Marimon has been Wilmington's best starting pitcher this season. He owns a 4-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 13 games and eight starts. As of Monday afternoon, he is tops in the league with a 0.95 WHIP and ranks second in ERA and batting average against with a .192 clip. He has worked 61.1 innings, allowing just 42 hits and 16 walks while striking out 54 hitters. Last season, the 23-year old was a mid-season Midwest League All-Star for Low-A Kane County.

Ventura, the Royals' 10th-best prospect according to Baseball America, has lit up radar guns with ease this year, touching 100 MPH. Blessed with the "Best Fastball" in the Kansas City farm system according to the same publication, the flame-throwing righty has recorded a 3-5 record with a 3.21 ERA in 12 starts this season. As of Monday afternoon, his ERA checks in at seventh-best in the circuit. He is second in the league in strikeouts with 70, third in batting average against with a .229 mark and holds the top K/9 IP ratio in the league at 11.25. The 21-year old has surrendered just 48 hits in 56.0 innings this year.

KC lost 9-10.

DSL won 4-0.

Diamonds in the Rough 6.11
POD - Sandy Garces
HOD - Jorge Bonifacio

[SubGod22]

Why The Super 2 Disrespects The Game Of Baseball

I wrote this article a couple of years ago

But I will expand on this idea as it relates to Wil Myers. I do not like the super 2 rule, I think it disrespects the game of baseball.

Do you think that power agents are not aware of what team’s hold players back and which ones don’t? I can tell you I am not surprised a Boras client, Eric Hosmer, came up before his due date. Yes, I realize others have to0, but I can also tell you behind the scenes all of these moves do matter. A team might see the benefit of it soon or much later depending on circumstance.

To me, the Super 2 hurts the fans, it hurts the player, and eventually it will hurt the record books.

The fans have to wait to see a talent like Wil Myers who clearly is one of the 25 best players in the Royals organization right now. Old school baseball guys know when a player is ready and if Wil Myers isn’t ready I would like to see someone like Mike Arbuckle say that. He could play CF right now for the Royals and before you say is that ideal I will follow with this…

I like some of his ideas. Will never happen though.

[SubGod22]

Torrid Omaha Offense Continues to Pile up Hits and Runs

Des Moines, IA - Salvador Perez and Tony Abreu combined for five hits and six runs batted in as Omaha overpowered Iowa, 9-4, Tuesday afternoon in the second of three meetings at Principal Park. The Storm Chasers won their seventh straight to improve to 41-25 and widen their lead to 12 games over the Cubs in the American Conference North Division. Omaha has totaled 61 runs on 89 hits during the winning streak.

Omaha starter Jake Odorizzi earned the win after giving up two runs on four hits across 5 1/3 innings. The young right-hander struck out seven and has now fanned 17 over his last 12 innings. Francisley Bueno tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames in relief before yielding a two-run home run to Luis Valbuena in the ninth that accounted for the final margin.

Pitcher TBD. Sanchez was scheduled to start but unfortunately he'll be starting for KC tonight.

Big inning dooms Naturals

Tulsa, OK - The Tulsa Drillers used a seven-run sixth inning to defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 10-2 on Tuesday night. The win gives the Drillers a two-game lead in the Texas League's North Division.

Mariot to start

Wilmingtons' game was rained out and will be part of a DH today. Ventura pitches game one and Wilmington will see the debut of recently promoted Brooks Pounders in game two. I'm curious to see how Brooks handles the promotion and High A.

Quad Cities drops series opener to Kane County

Kane County (34-31) broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth, scoring three runs off Gaviglio (3-5). Shortstop Yowill Espinal led off the inning with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. With two outs in the inning, Daniel Mateo hit a double that scored Espinal and Jorge Bonifacio hit a two-run home run to right-center field, to make it a 4-1 game.

Lane Adams also went yard. Yambati starts today
Bonifacio, Adams aid Cougars' victory over River Bandits

Rudy Brown and Malcom Culver (second save) each gave up two runs in the final two innings, but the Cougars prevailed to back up Kellen Moen (3-2), who worked six innings while limiting the River Bandits to a run on three hits.

Moen’s only run allowed came on a balk in the third inning to score Luis Mateo, tying the game at 1-1. Bonifacio singled home Justin Trapp in the first to give the Cougars an initial 1-0 lead.

DSL lost 6-7

Diamonds in the Rough 6.12
POD - Kellen Moen
HOD - Jorgen Bonifacio

[SubGod22]

Idaho Falls and Burlington Roster Taking Shape

Names of Note
Idaho Falls
Pitchers - Brian Brickhouse, Kyle Smith, Alec Mills, Zeb Sneed
Infielders - Jack Lopez, Nic Cuckovich, Raul Mondesi, Carlos Garcia
Outfielders - Chris Elder, Elier Hernandez

Burlington
Pitchers - Christian Binford, Yender Caramo, Jake Junis, Colin Rodgers, Daniel Stumpf
Infielders - Cam Gallagher, Beau Maggi, Humberto Arteaga, Patrick Leonard,
Outfielders - Fred Ford, Terrance Gore, Alexis Rivera, Bubba Starling

[SubGod22]

Omaha makes if fine in a row over Iowa

Des Moines, IA - Irving Falu homered and drove in two runs to support three pitchers who stymied Iowa in Omaha's 5-2 win Wednesday afternoon in the last of three meetings at Prinicpal Park. The Storm Chasers swept the series and recorded their season-high eighth straight win to improve to 42-25 and widen their lead to 13 games over the second place Cubs in the American Conference North Division.
Falu continued his hot hitting with his fourth long ball of the season, and third in the last week, in the third inning that got the scoring started and extended his hitting streak to 16 games. Iowa tied the contest in the fifth on an opposite field solo home run to left field by Blake Lalli.

Verdugo will be on the hill.

Naturals swept by Drillers

Arguelles settled in after the first inning for the Naturals. The left-hander went five and a third innings allowing eight hits and five runs, while walking two and fanning three. His counter part Joe Gardner went four innings allowing six hits and two runs. Cory Riordan (3-1) earned his third win of the season, working three innings in relief and allowing just one hit.

Maybe Mariot starts today...

LOSING STREAK HITS EIGHT GAMES FOR WILMINGTON

Wilmington starter Yordano Ventura danced around trouble most of the evening. He escaped a second and third, one-out jam in the first inning thanks to a pair of strikeouts. The righty navigated his way out of a bases loaded, two-out jam in the second. He allowed a solo shot to Vazquez to lead off the fourth inning, which initially gave the lead to Salem at 1-0. He totaled one run in five innings while striking out eight men in a no-decision.

Adam starts today. Hopefully he finally gets some run support.

Quad Cities walk off 6-5 against Kane County

Kane County (34-32) scored twice in the top of the first inning on a two-run double by right fielder Jorge Bonifacio that scored Justin Trapp and Daniel Mateo, and held that lead until the bottom of the ninth. Villanueva tied his season-high with five walks in 3 1/3 innings of work, which matched his shortest outing of the season that came on April 11 at Peoria.

Jason Mitchell to start

DSL lost 6-9

Diamonds in the Rough 6.13
POD - Yordano Ventura
HOD - Irving Falu

[SubGod22]

Omaha evens road record at 16-16

Nashville, TN - Wil Myers hit another home run and drove in a pair of runs as Omaha knocked off Nashville, 4-2, Thursday night in the opener of a four-game set at Greer Stadium. The Storm Chasers extended their season-best winning streak to nine games, improved their record to 43-25 and lengthened their lead to 14 games over Iowa in the American Conference North Division.

Teaford to start.

Naturals hold on, snap skid

The Springfield Cardinals (33-32) jumped out to a two-run lead against Naturals' starter Michael Mariot (3-2) in the second inning. Greg Garcia delivered a two-run double to score Kyle Conley and Xavier Scruggs to make it 2-0. Mariot went five innings allowing seven hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out six.

Marks starts

ROCKS WIN FOR FIRST TIME IN OVER A WEEK

Jason Adam did not get a win but he finally ended a string of consecutive starts losses at eight. The last time he received a win or no-decision came back on April 23 at Salem when he picked up a victory against the Sox at Salem Memorial Stadium. The Rocks won't have a winning record in the first half but most of their 29 victories have come in exciting fashion. 15 of the club's first half triumphs have happened in come-from-behind fashion.

Marimon takes the hill

Quad Cities takes rubber match from Kane County, 4-3

An RBI double by Bonifacio in the top of the fifth made it a 3-1 Kane County lead. The Cougars third baseman went 6-for-14 (.429) in the series with a home run, two doubles and eight RBI

DSL won 5-4

Chukars Announce Position Players
Chukars Pitching Staff Announced

Diamonds in the Rough 6.14
POD - Sam Runion
HOD - Jorge Bonifacio

[SubGod22]

Omaha's win streak snapped in nightcap

Teaford allowed three singles, walked one and struck out one over five frames to improve to 4-0. The left-hander did not allow a runner past second base and retired the final nine hitters he faced before giving way to Bueno, who retired the side in order in the sixth. Sisk set down all three hitters he encountered to close out the visitors fourth shutout of the season.

In the second game, Wil Myers slugged a solo home run the opposite way to right field in the third to put Omaha back in the lead at 2-1 but Nashville responded in the home half with an Andy Gonzalez scoring fly ball to even the count. The Sounds then took their first lead of the series in the fourth on a Jay Gibbons solo home run but it was short-lived, as Clint Robinson singled with two outs in the fifth to chase home Falu to get the game tied at three.

Myers goes 4 for 5 in Omaha loss

That Minor League-leading 24th longball that Wil Myers lifted on Saturday? He called it dumb luck. Myers, the Omaha outfielder enjoying a season of his lofty prospect status, was in a funk.

"This road trip, when we went to Iowa and here, three games there and the first two here, I was actually pretty bad," he said on his cellphone from the Nashville airport. "I think I was 2-for-20 or something."

He was actually 3-for-19 at the plate -- proving that even the best of us harp on our worst -- but the point is this: He didn't feel right at the plate. The third-ranked hitter in the Storm Chasers lineup needed to make an adjustment. And fast. "Staying on my legs more," he said. "I was pulling off the ball the first couple games of this series. I'm more comfortable upright -- I have more power -- but I tend to pull off the ball. It's a quick fix. It felt good today."

Omaha's Offense Quiet in Second Straight Defeat

The Sounds got the run back in the home sixth when Andy Gonzalez led off with a long ball against Mike Montgomery, who absorbed the loss after yielding four runs, three earned, on six hits while walking three and recording three strikeouts.

Doug Davis will start on Tuesday. Chasers are off today.

Cardinals even series

Marks (3-3) went five and two-thirds innings allowing six hits and three runs. The Naturals (34-32) left-hander tied a season high with seven strikeouts. He last struck out seven on May seventh against the Tulsa Drillers.

Big inning does in Naturals

The Naturals (34-33) got on the board first for the first time in their three game series against the Cardinals. Paulo Orlando led off with a single and later scored when Eric Duncan grounded into a double play to make it 1-0. Johnny Whittleman belted his eleventh home run of the season off of Cardinals' starter Scott Gorgen to make it 2-0 at the end of the first inning. Gorgen (3-5) earned the win working seven innings seven hits and two runs, while striking out six

Dwyer dominates Cardinals

Dwyer (4-6) was dominant on the mound working seven innings allowing fivehit and two runs while striking out six. Dwyer came out for the eighth inning after tossing seven-shutout and walkedthe Cardinals lead-off man Vance Albitz, and then surrendered a single to JoseGarcia. He was lifted from the game infavor of Ryan Dennick after the Garcia single. Dennick issued a walk to Jermaine Curtis and then allowed a two-run singleto Oscar Taveras to make it a 3-2 game.

Dwyer trying to rebound for Naturals

Now in his third consecutive season in the Texas League, Chris Dwyer swears it's not the Double-A bats he can't handle; it's his own inconsistency.

"It all starts with being able to throw strikes, no matter where you're pitching," he said. "That's what counts. You can't control where you're pitching, what stadium you're throwing in, none of that stuff. All it comes down to is throwing strikes, hitting your spots and doing that consistently."

The Royals' No. 7 prospect showed glimpses of what is possible when he is on target in Northwest Arkansas' 4-3 win over Springfield on Sunday. Dwyer took a shutout into the eighth inning, but surrendered a walk to Vance Albitz and a single to Jose Garcia before exiting. Naturals reliever Ryan Dennick allowed the inherited runners to score, giving Dwyer a final line of two earned runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Hollingsworth to start

TIGHT DECISION GOES TO WINSTON-SALEM

Marimon (4-2) took another tough luck loss. He surrendered two runs on nine hits in 6.2 innings, ringing up six strikeouts.

WINSTON-SALEM DASHES TO FIRST HALF DIVISION TITLE

Early walks put Tyler Sample in a deep hole. While he only allowed four hits in his five innings, he still gave up five runs and took a no-decision. He has walked four guys or more in four of his last five starts and in three consecutive. In his last three starts, his ERA has ballooned even further from 5.29 to 5.65.

Sounds like Vance Wilson thought Sample was getting squeezed.
FIRST HALF ENDS IN ANOTHER LOSS. Wilmington has a couple of All-Star pitchers. The Rocks will resume playing Thursday.

KC lost 0-6, 5-7 and 3-5. All Star game is Tuesday and the Cougars will continue on Friday.

IDF begins play this evening hosting the Orem Owlz. Brian Brickhouse will lead the Chukars.

DSL lost 4-5 and 1-2.

Diamonds in the Rough 6.15
POD - None
HOD - Juan Graterol
Diamonds in the Rough 6.16
POD - Everett Teaford
HOD - Clint Robinson
Diamonds in the Rough 6.17
POD - Chris Dwyer
HOD - Wil Myers
The Starting 9
Fathers Day 9 Innings With Doug Adam And James Lamb

[SubGod22]

Talking Rehab And More With John Lamb

Last spring training your velocity was down but some thought it was a groin problem. Did you encounter elbow problems at that point?

I actually didn’t have any groin issues until mid way through my rehab, I was battling a lat injury that happened warming up for my first and only big league camp game versus the Dodgers. I didn’t experience any elbow pain or stiffness until I felt it go on a curveball vs Tulsa.

Do you think you overcompensated with the other injury causing an injury to your elbow?

I don’t know maybe I did, but i havent been afraid to admit that my preparation going into last year was not exactly putting my best foot forward. And I blame the lack of preparation on my part mostly for getting hurt.

Nice to finally hear something from/about Lamb. Should start seeing some kind of game action in a couple of weeks. I wonder where they'll send him once he leaves AZ? I'd guess NWA unless they want to start him out slow for a few games in Wilmington.

Kane County Roster Repot - Llanos Activated; Davis Released

[SubGod22]

After an off day, some guy named Doug Davis is scheduled to start...

Rodriguez ropes in win

Johnny Whittleman blasted his 12 home run of the season to deep center field to cut the deficit to 3-2. Whittleman will be participating in the Home Run Derby at the Texas League All-Star game in Tulsa on June 28.

Mariot slated to start tonight

Rocks don't play 'til Thursday

Cougars are off until Friday. All-Star game is tonight. I believe they have a couple of representatives

Chukars Survive Slugfest 16-14

First baseman Rainier Bello led the Chukars attack, going 4-5 with a double, triple and two RBI. Shortstop Jack Lopez, right fielder Elier Hernandez, left fielder Julio Aparicio, and center fielder Ethan Chapman all had multi-hit games as well.

Quite a few names on this team that we'll be keeping an eye on over the next few years

Burlington opens up the season on the road at Pulaski. Jake Junis will start for the B-Royals.

AZL Royals begin play tomorrow.

DSL won 5-4 in 10

Diamonds in the Rough 6.18
POD - Jon Keck
HOD - Rainier Bello