Minor League Report (6/9): Lugo Slam Stands Out in Omaha, Columbia Wins on Wild Pitch

Matthew Lugo crushed a grand slam in a five-run seventh as Omaha rallied but fell short. Drew Beam struck out six over 5 2/3 innings in Northwest Arkansas’ loss. Tanner Jones spun six strong frames of three-run ball for Quad Cities, while Luke Pelzer and Asbel Gonzalez each scored. Henson Leal fired two scoreless innings to close, and a wild pitch in the 8th inning led to the winning run in Columbia’s 7-6 victory.

Royals Transactions

• No Roster Moves

Lugo Grand Slam Not Enough As Storm Chasers Fall Late

Omaha dug an early hole and could not climb all the way out, dropping an 8-5 decision to the visiting Las Vegas Aviators.

The Aviators jumped immediately on starter Kris Bubic, who was making his first rehab stint after a lengthy stay on the IL. They scored four runs in the first inning against the Royals' All-Star and two more in the second before he was pulled. Bubic was charged with five earned runs on eight hits over 1 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out none.

Jose Cuas steadied things with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, and Ryan Ramsey gave the Storm Chasers length, allowing two runs over five innings while striking out three.

The bats stayed quiet until the seventh. With the bases loaded, Lugo cleared them with a grand slam to left center, scoring Kevin Newman, John Rave, and Peyton Wilson to pull Omaha within one. Lugo finished 2-for-5 with four runs batted in.

The comeback stalled after Lugo's grand slam, and Las Vegas added insurance in the ninth. Omaha drew nine walks but stranded a heavy load of baserunners, leaving eight on base and going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

Kameron Misner was pulled in the fifth inning and replaced by Gavin Cross. This move corresponded with Kyle Isbel suffering a foot injury in Tuesday's Royals win over the Rangers. Isbel was pulled from the game and likely will go on the IL. Misner is likely a candidate to replace Isbel on the active roster. 

Naturals Stymied In Lopsided Loss At Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas managed just six hits and never threatened in an 11-2 loss to the Arkansas Travelers.

Beam started the game and kept it close into the sixth, striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. However, the home side eventually broke through against him and the bullpen. Beam allowed seven runs, four earned, on seven hits with no walks before exiting. Arkansas blew the game open with six runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

The Naturals’ lone run came in the seventh, when Jack Pineda lined a single to left that brought home Alberto Rodriguez and Connor Scott. Pineda went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in to pace the offense. Carson Roccaforte added a hit out of the leadoff spot.

The lineup struck out 12 times and could not sustain pressure against Arkansas' pitching. They stranded seven runners on base and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. 

River Bandits Edged Despite Jones’ Strong Start

Quad Cities took a late lead but could not hold it, falling 6-4 to the Beloit Sky Carp.

Jones turned in the best work on the mound, allowing three runs over six innings with no walks and five strikeouts.

The River Bandits answered each early Beloit push, tying the game in the second on Jose Cerice’s sacrifice fly that scored Pelzer. Quad Cities grabbed the lead in the fifth. Ramon Ramirez grounded into a double play that brought Nolan Sailors home, and Pelzer followed with a sharp single to left that scored Asbel Gonzalez for a 4-3 edge.

The lead lasted until the seventh, when Beloit pushed across three runs against the bullpen to take control. Gonzalez reached base twice and scored twice from the two-hole, and the River Bandits swiped seven bases, but five left on base and 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position proved costly.

Ramos Scores Winning Run In Fireflies’ Comeback

Columbia jumped out fast and held on for a 7-6 win over the Delmarva Shorebirds.

The Fireflies sent ten men to the plate in a five-run first inning, getting run-scoring hits from Stone Russell and Hyungchan Um, a bases-loaded walk to Sean Gamble, and a run on a double play.

Starter Shane Van Dam labored through 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking three.

Delmarva chipped away and tied the game with three runs in the seventh off the bullpen. Columbia answered in the eighth, when a wild pitch by Delmarva allowed Henry Ramos to score the go-ahead run from second base.

Ramos led off and finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Leal slammed the door with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts to secure the win. Randy Ramnarace also chipped in 2 1/3 scoreless frames out of the bullpen.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Kendry Chourio: DNP
2. David Shields: DNP
3. Sean Gamble: 0-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB, K
4. Blake Mitchell: 0-for-2, 2 BB, K
5. Josh Hammond: 2-for-5, R
6. Ramon Ramirez: 0-for-4
7. Drew Beam: 5 2/3 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 6 K (1 HR)
8. Asbel Gonzalez: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
9. Ben Kudrna: DNP
10. Carson Roccaforte: 1-for-4, K
11. Yandel Ricardo: 1-for-4, R, BB, K
12. Felix Arronde: DNP
13. Blake Wolters: DNP
14. Michael Lombardi: DNP
15. Luinder Avila: DNP
16. Steven Zobac: DNP
17. Frank Mozzicato: DNP
18. Daniel Vazquez: DNP
19. Warren Colcano: 0-for-4, 1 R, 2 K
20. Shane Panzini: DNP

Interested in learning more about the Kansas City Royals' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!