Royals Minor League Report (6/7): Columbia Routs Fayetteville, Naturals Walk It Off, Storm Chasers Fall Late

Columbia exploded for a 16-2 win behind Sean Gamble's four RBIs and Kendry Chourio's five innings, while Henry Ramos drove in five. Northwest Arkansas rallied for a 9-6 win as Carson Roccaforte's ninth-inning grand slam capped a four-RBI day, with Tommy Molsky retiring the side for the win. Omaha could not hold an early eight-run cushion, as Henry Williams struck out seven over six innings before the bullpen faltered in a 9-8 loss to Columbus.

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Storm Chasers Blow Eight-Run Lead In Late Collapse At Columbus

Omaha jumped on Columbus immediately and never trailed until the final inning, but a 9-8 loss spoiled a fast start.

The Storm Chasers scored four times in the first, as Drew Waters singled home John Rave, Abraham Toro tripled in two runs, and Gavin Cross singled in another. They added three more in the second when Brett Squires launched a three-run homer, his eighth, to make it 7-0.

Kameron Misner homered in the fourth, his 13th, for an 8-1 edge.

Williams turned in a strong start, allowing three runs on four hits over six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. It was one of his best outings with the Storm Chasers since being promoted from Northwest Arkansas. 

Unfortunately, the Storm Chasers' bullpen could not protect the lead. Columbus chipped away across the sixth, seventh, and eighth before plating three in the ninth against Dan Altavilla, who recorded just one out while surrendering three runs and took the loss.

Misner finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs, and an RBI, and Toro added two hits and two RBIs. Omaha left 15 runners on base while going 4-for-11 with runners in scoring position. 

Roccaforte's Ninth-Inning Grand Slam Lifts Naturals Past Midland

Northwest Arkansas trailed entering the ninth before erupting for five runs to beat Midland 9-6.

The Naturals had pulled even in the fifth, when Alberto Rodriguez singled home Rudy Martin Jr. and Jack Pineda singled in another run, and Martin homered in the seventh, his sixth, to pull within one. The decisive rally came in the ninth: Rodriguez singled in Omar Hernandez to tie it, and Roccaforte followed with a grand slam, his 14th home run, to put the game away.

Frank Mozzicato struggled with his command in the start yesterday, allowing three runs on one hit over 4 2/3 innings while walking six and striking out four before the game was suspended due to weather.

Once the game started back up again on Sunday, Augusto Mendieta and Dennis Colleran combined to go 3 2/3 IP and allow three runs, with Mendieta allowing two and Colleran allowing one. Mendieta struck out two and Colleran struck out none. Neither walked any batters in their Sunday outings.

Molsky closed the game for the Naturals and earned the win with two-thirds of a scoreless inning and a strikeout.

Roccaforte finished 2-for-5 with four RBI, and Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with two RBI. Martin Jr. reached base three times, scored three runs, and stole two bases. Northwest Arkansas left four runners on base and went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Unfortunately, the second game was canceled due to the weather and won't be made up.

Fireflies Pile On 18 Hits In 16-2 Rout Of Fayetteville

Columbia jumped ahead early and never let up, scoring in eight of nine innings to bury Fayetteville 16-2.

The Fireflies put up three in the first when Gamble launched a three-run homer, his third, and added three more in the second on Ramos' three-run homer, his third.

From there, the lead only grew, with a seven-run surge over the seventh and eighth innings, capped by Hyungchan Um's grand slam, his fourth home run, in the eighth.

Chourio gave the Fireflies a solid start, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings with one walk and three strikeouts.

Ramos finished 3-for-6 with a home run and five RBI, Gamble went 2-for-4 with a double, a homer, and four RBI, and Yandel Ricardo and JC Vanek each added two hits. The bullpen of Yeri Perez, Henson Leal, and Andy Basora combined for four scoreless innings.

Columbia left seven runners on base and went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position. With the win, the Fireflies improved their record to 27-30.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

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

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