Things did not go so well in the second week of baseball for the KC Royals and their four full season minor league affiliates.
The Royals went 2-4 last week and are coming off being swept at Minnesota. They are just 4-7, which is last in the American League Central. The Royals are 0-5 on the road, which is where they continue on Tuesday with three games in Houston.
Omaha went 3-4 last week, dropping them into last place at 5-6 in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division. The Storm Chasers finish up their road trip tonight in Nashville before heading home for eight games beginning Tuesday against Round Rock.
NW Arkansas went 0-6 last week (they have lost seven in a row) to drop into last place in the Texas League North Division at just 2-8. The Naturals continue their homestand tonight against Midland (who they are 0-4 against so far this season), looking for their first victory in Springdale.
Wilmington went 2-4 last week and are in third place in the Carolina League Northern Division (4-6). The Blue Rocks finish their homestand tonight before heading out on the road for seven games beginning in Lynchburg on Tuesday.
Lexington went 4-3 last week and are in the middle of the pack in the South Atlantic League Southern Division at 6-5. The Legends begin a three-game road series in Rome tonight.
Now to the awards…
Royals Hitter of the Week: Shortstop Alcides Escobar had himself a very good week (though he was caught stealing for the first time since 2012). He went 8-for-19 (.421) with two doubles and three RBIs.
Royals starter Yordano Ventura on St. Patrick’s Day 2014 (Jen Nevius).
Royals Pitcher of the Week: Rookie Yordano Ventura had to wait awhile for his first start of the 2014 season, but he made it a good one. Against the TB Rays on Tuesday, Ventura allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.
Minor League Hitter of the Week: Storm Chasers leadoff man Brett Eibner has started out the season on fire (he is hotter than I ever remember). Last week, he went 10-for-27 (.370) with a double, two walks, a home run, and ten RBIs. He only struck out three times. Granted, Eibner had two big games, where he went 9-for-10 with nine RBIs.
Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Week: Christian Binford allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings for Wilmington on Saturday night. He struck out ten and threw just 69 pitches. That all happened after being sent home on Friday night due to food poisoning.
Minor League Reliever of the Week: Right-hander Kevin Perez was called upon twice last week for Lexington. In five scoreless innings, he allowed three hits and three walks while striking out three.