Royals Minor League Report (9/12): Late Homers And Steady Bullpens In A Two-Game Night

Omaha dropped a 5-1 decision at Indianapolis despite four scoreless relief innings from Hunter Owen, Lucas Erceg, and Matt Moore, who combined for seven strikeouts and no walks. Lucas Braun struck out seven in four innings. Northwest Arkansas lost 8-4 to Tulsa after Felix Arronde allowed seven runs, though Frank Mozzicato followed with two hitless innings. Alberto Rodriguez homered and drove in two, and Angel Acosta added a solo home run in the ninth.

Kansas City Royals Transactions

• Kansas City Royals claimed RHP Spencer Bivens off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
• Kansas City Royals optioned RHP Spencer Bivens to Omaha Storm Chasers.

Omaha Bullpen Holds The Line In A 5-1 Loss At Indianapolis

Braun struck out seven over four innings and did not walk a batter, but Indianapolis reached him for eight hits and five runs, four of them earned. Two of those hits left the ballpark. Braun also got some help from his outfield defense, especially in the first inning.

The Indians pulled away in the fourth. A fielding error by Jacob Berry put the first runner of the inning aboard, an RBI double followed, and a two-run home run came next. Those three runs turned a one-run game into a 5-0 game.

Omaha answered in the sixth. Gavin Cross singled with one out, Abraham Toro singled him to second base, and Brett Squires lined a single to left field to bring Cross home.

However, Carson Roccaforte struck out to end the inning, and Omaha did not score again.

The bullpen gave up nothing over the last four innings.

The recently called-up Owen worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits allowed and three strikeouts. Erceg followed with 1 1/3 hitless and scoreless innings and two strikeouts. Lastly, Moore finished with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts. None of the three walked a batter.

Alejo Lopez led the offense with two hits in three at-bats. Luca Tresh doubled, and Cross, Toro, Squires, Roccaforte, and Peyton Wilson each had one hit. Squires drove in the only run. Omaha drew no walks, struck out 13 times, went 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position, and left six runners on base.

The Storm Chasers are now 64-76. 

Northwest Arkansas Homers Twice In The Ninth In An 8-4 Loss To Tulsa

Arronde allowed nine hits and seven runs over four innings, walking three and striking out five. Two of the hits he allowed were home runs. He was helped by some defense in the first inning by outfielder Luke Pelzer.

Tulsa did its damage against Arronde, the Royals' No. 16 prospect, in the third and the fourth.

In the third, a single, another single, and a walk loaded the bases with one out, and then an RBI single, a sacrifice fly, and a two-run double brought in four runs. The fourth opened with a home run, and after a single, a second home run made it a seven-run game.

Northwest Arkansas got on the board in the eighth. Connor Rasmussen doubled with one out, Alberto Rodriguez singled him in, and Sam Kulasingam followed with a single. After a pop-out, Connor Scott singled to right field to score Rodriguez. Justin Johnson walked to load the bases, and a strikeout ended the inning.

The Naturals added two more in the ninth to make things interesting.

First, Acosta homered with one out for his second homer in as many nights. 

Rodriguez, who had entered the game in the leadoff spot for Pelzer, homered two batters later.

Kulasingam walked, but a fly ball by Spencer Nivens to center field ended the game.

The rest of the pitching staff beyond Arronde gave the offense a chance.

Anthony Simonelli allowed a run on one hit and a walk in one inning. James McArthur, on a rehab assignment, worked a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout. Former 1st-round pick Mozzicato struck out three over two hitless and scoreless innings. Finally, Tommy Molsky finished with a scoreless inning.

Rodriguez finished 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Johnson had two hits and a walk, Acosta homered, and Rasmussen doubled. Northwest Arkansas drew four walks, went 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position, and left eight runners on base.

The Naturals fell to 56-79 for the season. 

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Kendry Chourio: DNP
2. David Shields: DNP
3. Josh Hammond: DNP
4. Blake Mitchell: DNP
5. Sean Gamble: DNP
6. Ramon Ramirez: DNP
7. Zion Rose: DNP
8. Asbel Gonzalez: DNP
9. Carson Roccaforte: 1-for-4, 1 K
10. Taylor Rabe: DNP
11. Yandel Ricardo: DNP
12. Justin Lamkin: DNP
13. Drew Beam: DNP
14. Michael Lombardi: DNP
15. Jack Slightom: DNP
16. Felix Arronde: 4 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
17. Angeibel Gomez: DNP
18. Ben Kudrna: DNP
19. Steven Zobac: DNP
20. Blake Wolters: DNP

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