Royals Minor League Report (5/31): Rave and Johnson Go Deep, Naturals Rally Falls Short

John Rave's go-ahead homer powered Omaha to a 6-5 win, while Justin Johnson's grand slam and Spencer Nivens' four hits fueled a Northwest Arkansas comeback that ended just short at 10-9. Daniel Vazquez and Carson Roccaforte each reached multiple times.

Blake Wolters struggled across 4 1/3 innings as Quad Cities fell 8-1, with Asbel Gonzalez collecting the lone run-scoring hit. Michael Lombardi struck out seven over three innings for Columbia in a 3-2 loss. Sean Gamble homered in the Fireflies' losing effort.

Royals Transactions

• Kansas City Royals sent LHP Cole Ragans on a rehab assignment to Omaha Storm Chasers.

Storm Chasers Edged By Memphis On Late Home Runs

The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Memphis Redbirds, 6-5, after surrendering the lead over the final two innings.

John Rave provided the highlight, going 1-for-4 with a home run, two runs batted in, a walk, and a stolen base.

Josh Rojas led the offense with two hits, a run, and an RBI, and Brett Squires added a run-scoring double.

Omaha appeared in control after the seventh, when Dustin Dickerson, who reached base three times, came around to score on Rave's two-run shot to left field for a 5-3 lead.

Memphis answered in the eighth, scoring twice to tie the game at five, and took the lead for good in the ninth on a solo home run that made it 6-5. The Storm Chasers could not respond in the bottom half.

Mitch Spence turned in the longest outing, working 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs, both earned, on seven hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Omaha's bullpen surrendered four runs over the final 3 1/3 innings. The Storm Chasers stranded seven runners on the night.

Johnson Grand Slam Caps Naturals Comeback Bid In Tulsa

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals fell to the Tulsa Drillers, 10-9, despite a furious late charge.

Johnson drove in four runs on a 1-for-4 game highlighted by a grand slam, and Spencer Nivens went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI. 

Sam Kulasingam added three hits, Roccaforte scored twice atop the lineup, and Rudy Martin Jr. homered.

Tulsa built a 9-1 lead through three innings, and the Naturals chipped away before erupting in the eighth. Trailing 10-4 entering the frame, Johnson cleared the bases with his grand slam to left field, and Nivens followed with a run-scoring single that brought Northwest Arkansas within 10-9. The rally stalled there, unfortunately, as the Naturals were unable to come through in the ninth.

Frank Mozzicato struggled in his start, retiring three batters while allowing seven runs, all earned, on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts in one inning. Andrew Morones followed with two innings, surrendering two runs, and Caden Monke provided two scoreless frames. Zachary Cawyer and Dennis Colleran allowed a combined run and two hits in three innings of work, allowing Northwest Arkansas to stay in the game despite the early deficit. The Naturals left nine runners on base.

River Bandits Bats Quiet In Loss At Cedar Rapids

The Quad Cities River Bandits managed just one run in an 8-1 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Gonzalez accounted for the lone run-scoring hit, doubling home Nolan Sailors in the third inning to briefly cut the deficit to 3-1. Sailors reached base twice and stole two bases, and Chris Brito added a hit and two walks.

The offense otherwise stalled, finishing with three hits while striking out nine times.

Cedar Rapids pulled away in the fifth, plating three runs, two of which crossed on bases-loaded walks. Wolters took the loss, allowing five runs, all earned, on three hits with four walks and four strikeouts across 4 1/3 innings. L.P. Langevin recorded two outs and allowed a run, while Mason Miller gave up two runs over two innings. Kamden Edge closed with a scoreless inning. Quad Cities stranded six runners.

Lombardi Dazzles But Fireflies Fall Late To Charleston

The Columbia Fireflies dropped a 3-2 decision to the Charleston RiverDogs, undone by two ninth-inning runs.

Lombardi was excellent in his start, working three innings and allowing one run, unearned, on two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. Henson Leal followed with three scoreless innings, and Hunter Alberini added 1 1/3 hitless frames. Dutch pitcher Brandon Herbold was given the first shot to save the game, but he walked a batter, and Andy Basora came in to close it out. Unfortunately, Basora was unable to hold the Fireflies' lead, allowing the inherited runner to score and giving up an earned run on two hits in 2/3 IP. It was Basora's third blown save of the year.

Gamble provided the highlight at the plate, homering in the sixth to tie the game at one.

Gamble finished 1-for-3 with the home run and an RBI, and Josh Hammond reached base and swiped two bases. Columbia took a 2-1 lead in the eighth when Connor Rasmussen singled, advanced to second, and scored on Hammond's groundball force out.

That lead held until the ninth, when Charleston pushed across two runs on a pair of singles, the second plating the go-ahead run. The Fireflies struck out 12 times and left five runners on base.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

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

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