Royals Minor League Report: July 2
Omaha Storm Chasers (43-38)
Omaha 5, New Orleans 2
WP: Aaron Brooks (5-4)
SV: Scott Alexander (6)
HR: Whit Merrifield (3)
The Storm Chasers got on the board early, securing a season series win against the Zephyrs for the first time since 2012. Aaron Brooks tossed his eighth quality start of the season, allowing only two runs over 6.2 innings. After not scoring against New Orleans in 11 straight innings, Omaha put up a four-run second inning with the help of a three -run blast by Whit Merrifield.
NW Arkansas Naturals (43-34)
Northwest Arkansas 9, Frisco 4
WP: Sam Selman (2-3)
HR: L. Adams (5), A. Liddi (8), J. Bonifacio (14)
The Naturals offense exploded on Thursday, scoring a season-high 15 runs. Each of the Naturals starting nine players recorded a hit and eight of the nine had at least one RBI. Northwest Arkansas used five total pitchers in the game at set new total strikeouts in a game with 16, with 15 being the previous high on May 12. Contributing to that stat was Kyle Zimmer who tossed two scoreless and struck out five.
Wilmington Blue Rocks (43-34)
Wilmington 3, Lynchburg 2
WP: Luis Rico (4-3)
SV: Matthew Strahm (1 with Wilmington, 5 overall)
HR: None
Wilmington pitchers combined for a season-high 17 strikeouts in a home win. Luis Rico fired 5.2 scoreless innings, tying a career-best with nine K's while allowing three hits and two walks. Matt Strahm struck out eight over 3.1 innings, yielding two runs. Carlos Garcia, Frank Schwindel and Cody Stubbs had two hits apiece. Schwindel drove in a run, as did Blue Springs native Logan Moon.
Lexington Legends (35-41)
Rome 5, Lexington 1
LP: Scott Blewett (2-1)
HR: None
The Legends lost the lead in the first inning and were never able to recover, falling 5-1 to the Rome Braves. Lexington had 11 hits but left 12 on base, scoring only one run in the ninth inning to scratch the shutout.
Idaho Falls Chukars (5-7)
Idaho Falls 16, Ogden 4
WP: Todd Eaton (1-1)
HR: Alex Rivera (7)
The Chukars ended a three-game losing streak, with 16-4 win. Alex Rivera, who is leading the league with 24 RBI, belted a grand slam in the seventh inning to add some insurance runs. Idaho falls is now batting .326 as a team, scoring 127 runs in just 15 games.
Burlington Royals (6-4)
Burlington 6, Kingsport 4
WP: Daniel Concepcion (1-0)
HR: Brandon Dulin (5)
Burlington won the first game of the series against Kingsport and their fifth straight overall. The Royals scored four runs in the second inning and secured the win after a two-run blast by Brandon Dulin in the bottom of the eighth.
Surprise Royals (8-2)
WP: Felix Familia (2-0)
SV: Franco Terrero (2)
HR: None
Surprise outscored the Padres on Thursday with the help of center fielder, Reymond Fuentes, who went 3-for-3 on the night and scored four runs.