Diamonds in the Rough 8.8

Just one win in seven tries for Royals affiliates. HR Roll Call David Lough (8) Whit Merrifield (9) Diego Goris (8)

Pine Tar Press Hitter of the Day Whit Merrifield 2-5 HR, 2b, 2 R, RBI

(Photo Minda Haas)

Pine Tar Press Pitcher of the Day Jake Odorizzi 7 Ip 4 H 2 R 2 Er 2 BB 4 K 

Pine Tar Press Rookie League Player of the Day Diego Goris 1-4 HR, 4 RBI

Colorado Sky Sox 4 Omaha Storm Chasers 2

A couple ninth inning Sky Sox runs ended a dismal homestand for the Chasers Wednesday afternoon. Starter Jake Odorizzi got through the 7th inning for the first time since joining the Chasers, giving the a quality start.  The right-hander allowed a pair of solo home runs but nothing more besides a couple harmless singles and a pair of walks while also striking out four.  Unfortunately for Jake his offense couldn’t do anymore than giving him a no decision scoring just two runs on 12 hits, one of which came via a David Lough solo home run.  With the game tied reliever Roman Colon created a jam loading the bases with a double, a walk and a intentional walk giving up the tie with a run scoring single before turning things over to Vin Mazzaro.  The newly converted Mazzaro allowed one of the inherited runners to score on a wild pitch before striking out the final two hitters of the inning, Mazzaro since being converted to the bullpen has struck out 19 hitters in 15.1 innings.  The Chasers down 2 couldn’t complete a comeback getting two on but falling short to finish off a 3-5 homestand.

W: Putnam (3-2, 4.59) L: Colon (3-2, 3.21)
S: Woods (6)

NW Arkansas Naturals 5 Midland Rockhounds 4

The Naturals put on a late rally for a comeback win Wednesday night.  Trailing 4-2 Midland starter and 2011 1st round pick Sonny Gray did not come out for the 8th, giving the Naturals an opportunity to climb back into the game.  The Naturals quickly jumped on that opportunity putting together a pair of singles from Paulo Orlando and Manny Pina to get a run back.  Following a wild pitch that moved Pina to 2nd Rey Navarro came through with a two out hit that evened the game on the way to the 9th.  Following a perfect ninth by Ryan Dennick it was newly called up Whit Merrifield getting things started with one down when he got his second extra base hit of the night moving to second with a double, the Rockhounds would counter with an intentional walk to try to set up the double play.  That strategy would make no difference when with two down Manny Pina would give the Naturals a walkoff win with a RBI single up the middle that scored Merrifield.

W: Dennick (6-4, 4.19) L: Hunter (2-2, 4.33)

Winston-Salem Dash 8 Wilmington Blue Rocks 0

The Rocks could put together just three singles while the pitching staff got bludgeoned for 8 runs on 13 hits by the Carolina leagues top offense.  The loss pushed the Rocks into a first place tie with the Frederick Keys with 25 games remaining in the next 26 days.

W: Collop (8-2, 3.83) L: Pounders (4-4, 5.43)

Clinton LumberKings 6 Kane County Cougars 2

First place Clinton got after starter Aaron Brooks early scoring six runs off the starter from the 2nd through 4th innings and prevented the Cougars from scoring the final 8 innings to cruise for a win. Kane County went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and were unable to put anything other than a single on the board.  Brooks up and down ride continued dropping his second decision in a row following a run of five consecutive wins.

W: Kim (3-3, 5.03) L: Brooks (9-11, 4.80)

Ogden Raptors 8 Idaho Falls Chukars 6

The bullpen and particularly Fernando Cruz let a winnable game get away from Idaho Falls Wednesday night.  The converted third baseman gave up 3 runs as part of a four run 8th inning that turned a 6-4 Chukars lead into an 8-6 deficit and eventual loss.  Starter Aroni Nina had a decent start in his Pioneer League debut going 5.1 innings while allowing four hits, three walks while striking out five and giving up three earned runs.

W: Drowne (2-1, 5.09) L: Cruz (1-3, 7.20)
S: Jones, O (4)

Danville Braves 7 Burlington Royals 1

The Royals were dominated in the third of four games with the Braves getting their lead in the division trimmed to 3.5 games in the process.  The Royals put just one run and two hits on the board  while giving up seven runs on eight hits, five of which came in the 3rd off starter Daniel Hernandez.    The two teams will finish their series Thursday night.

W: Perez (3-1, 3.32) L: Hernandez (3-1, 3.47)