Royals Minor League report: April 16

Omaha Storm Chasers (5-2)

Omaha 9, Memphis 4
WP: Joe Blanton (1-1)
HR: Brett Eibner 2 (2,3), Cheslor Cuthbert (2)

Brett Eibner had a big night as Omaha finished the opening road trip at 5-2. Eibner hit a two-run homer in the third, then added to a 5-4 lead with a grand slam in the seventh. The outfielder's six RBI marked his second-most in a game as he had nine last year, also vs. Memphis. Veteran Joe Blanton (5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) held the Redbirds to one run until his final inning. Omaha begins its home schedule on Friday vs. New Orleans (Marlins), with 11th-ranked Royals prospect Christian Binford scheduled to start.

NW Arkansas Naturals (2-5)

Midland 8, NW Arkansas 3
LP: Glenn Sparkman (0-2)
HR: Ethan Chapman (1)

Northwest Arkansas lost its home opener to Oakland's Double-A affiliate. Starter Glenn Sparkman struck out three while allowing a pair of runs, five hits and three walks over 4.0 innings. Sparkman is ranked 27th among Royals prospects by MLB.com. The Naturals scored all three runs in the fifth. Ethan Chapman hit a two-run homer in his season debut and Angel Franco tripled home a run. Franco finished with three hits, raising his average to .368 (7-for-19).

Wilmington Blue Rocks (4-3)

Wilmington 3, Carolina 2
WP: Cody Reed (2-0)
HR: None

Bubba Starling's double scored Jack Lopez from first as Wilmington walked off with a win in the home opener at Frawley Stadium. Starling had two hits, boosting his average to .308 (8-for-26). He is ranked 13th among Royals prospects by MLB.com. Frank Schwindel also posted two hits and an RBI, while Lopez singled twice and scored two runs. Luke Farrell fanned seven over 5.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits and a walk. Cody Reed followed with five strikeouts and four hits over 4.0 shutout innings. A second-round pick in 2013, Reed is ranked 26th among Royals prospects.

Lexington Legends (4-4)

West Virginia 4, Lexington 2
LP: Niklas Stephenson (0-2)
HR: Corey Toups (2)

The Legends dropped their home opener, with Olathe native and Kentucky basketball star Willie Cauley-Stein throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Corey Toups had a double and a solo homer. 14th-ranked Royals prospect Brandon Downes added two singles and an RBI. Starter Emilio Ogando held the Power to a run, three hits and two walks with five K's over 5.0 innings.