Royals Minor League Report (6/6): Columbia Rallies, Mozzicato Shines in Suspended Bid, Omaha and Quad Cities Fall

Columbia overcame an early deficit for a 6-3 victory behind Roni Cabrera and Michael Lombardi, while Frank Mozzicato fired 4 2/3 scoreless innings before Northwest Arkansas was suspended with the Naturals leading 1-0. Omaha dropped a 3-2 decision on a late home run despite Kevin Newman's two hits, and Quad Cities was overwhelmed 13-2 as Erick Torres and Angel Acosta each collected three hits in the loss.

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Newman's Two Hits Not Enough As Omaha Drops 3-2 Decision

The Omaha Storm Chasers fell 3-2 to the Columbus Clippers despite a strong relief effort from the bullpen. Newman led the offense with two hits, including a double, and an RBI, and Peyton Wilson added two hits and a run batted in. Drew Waters reached base twice with a hit and a walk and scored a run.

Omaha trailed 1-0 entering the fifth, when Newman doubled to right field to score Abraham Toro and tie the game.

The Storm Chasers took the lead in the seventh, as Wilson singled to center to bring home Waters for a 2-1 advantage. The lead did not hold.

In the bottom of the seventh, Columbus answered with a two-run home run to left center that scored the go-ahead and winning runs.

Oscar Rayo turned in the most effective outing on the mound, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out four. Ben Sears opened the game with two innings, surrendering one run on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Eric Cerantola allowed two runs on one hit in the seventh, including the decisive home run.

Omaha left five runners on base and went 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position. 

Mozzicato Tosses Scoreless Innings As Naturals Lead 1-0 In Suspended Game

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals led the Midland RockHounds 1-0 when the game was suspended after 4 1/2 innings. It will continue on Sunday afternoon, with Sunday's scheduled game starting 35 minutes after the suspended game is completed.

The offense managed just two hits to that point, but it was enough for the lead. Jack Pineda doubled and drew a walk, and Daniel Vazquez added a single. Sam Kulasingam reached base twice on a walk and scored the game's only run.

The lone run came in the fourth inning. Kulasingam came around to score on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of Spencer Nivens, who picked up the run batted in to put the Naturals ahead 1-0.

Mozzicato kept Midland off the board, allowing just one hit over 4 2/3 innings before the stoppage. He walked six and struck out four while working around traffic. The former first-round pick also showed some excellent defense with a diving play made on a failed bunt right before the rain delay hit. 

Northwest Arkansas left two runners on base and went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position. The Naturals are hoping to close out the game on Sunday and collect their 25th win of the season.

Torres And Acosta Collect Three Hits Each As River Bandits Fall 13-2

The Quad Cities River Bandits were beaten 13-2 by the South Bend Cubs. Torres and Acosta each tallied three hits to pace the offense, and Derlin Figueroa supplied both Quad Cities runs with a home run. Ramon Ramirez added a hit and scored a run, and Blake Mitchell drew two walks.

South Bend built the game open in the fourth inning, plating four runs on a pair of home runs and a two-run shot to push the lead to 8-0. The visitors continued to add on, scoring three more in the seventh and another in the eighth. Quad Cities finally got on the board in the eighth when Figueroa homered to right field to score Ramirez and cut the deficit to 12-2.

Blake Wolters struggled in his start, allowing eight runs, all earned, on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings. He walked four, struck out three, and surrendered three home runs. Nick Conte provided the lone bright spot from the staff, retiring all his batters over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

The River Bandits left nine runners on base and went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Quad Cities will be looking to salvage the series on Sunday, hoping to win their 25th game of the year against the division-leading Cubs.

Cabrera Drives In Two As Fireflies Rally Past Fayetteville 6-3

The Columbia Fireflies rallied from an early deficit to defeat the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 6-3. Cabrera led the way with two hits and two runs batted in, and Henry Ramos drove in two runs. Yandel Ricardo and Jhosmmel Zue each added two hits, and Zue scored a run.

Trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning, Columbia took control. Cabrera singled to right to score JC Vanek and bring the Fireflies within one, and Ramos followed with a single to center that scored Connor Rasmussen and Cabrera, putting Columbia ahead 4-3.

The Fireflies tacked on two more in the seventh, as Hyungchan Um walked with the bases loaded to force in Ricardo, and Vanek delivered a sacrifice fly to score Zue for the 6-3 final. The Fireflies also got some solid defense in the win, highlighted by some sensational glovework by 2025 first-round pick Sean Gamble.

Lombardi started and allowed three runs, all earned, on three hits over four innings, walking four and striking out five with one home run allowed. The bullpen slammed the door as Dash Albus, Hunter Alberini, Brandon Herbold, and Jhon Reyes combined for five scoreless innings.

Columbia left eight runners on base and went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Columbia now has 26 wins for the season and will look to earn win No. 27 on Sunday.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

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

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