Clark Hitting Well In Omaha
Last updated Wednesday, May 21, 2008 6:45 PM CDT in Sports
By THE MORNING NEWS
The second time around in the Pacific Coast League has become a little bit easier for former Fayetteville standout Cody Clark.
In his first game since being promoted from Northwest Arkansas to Omaha, Kansas City's Triple-A affiliate, Clark belted a pair of extra-base hits in three plate appearances in the Royals' first game of a doubleheader Sunday in Albquerque, N.M.
Clark led off the top of the third inning with a home run to left off Isotopes starter Bob Keppel. He added a one-out triple - his third in six professional seasons - in the top of the fifth off Keppel, only to be caught in a rundown when Mitch Maier hit a ball back to the pitcher.
Clark was briefly promoted to Omaha from Class A-Advanced Wilimington last year when the Royals were needing a catcher. Clark played in three games, hitting a double and a home run in seven at-bats and driving in two runs before going back to Wilmington for the remainder of the season.
Blue Rocks Keep On Running
Wilmington is about to reach the century mark in stolen bases, and there is plenty of distance between the Blue Rocks and the rest of the minor league field
Adding three more to its total Tuesday in a 5-2 loss to Potomac, Wilmington has swiped 98 bases through its first 43 games. At their present rate, the Blue Rocks are on a pace to steal an impressive 319 bases this season.
Meanwhile, the Frederick Keys are a distant second in the Carolina League with 60 stolen bases, and the Blue Rocks have more stolen bases than three of its league counterparts combined (Salem 34, Potomac 32 and Kinston 22).
Wilmington's closest competition lies in the Class A South Atlantic League, where the Asheville Tourists have 83 and the Columbus Catfish have 76. The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League (Class A Advanced) are next in line with 75, followed by the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League with 73. Tied for sixth place are the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and the Carolina Mudcats of the Southern League (Double-A) with 68 apiece.
The Blue Rocks have the top four thieves in the Carolina League, with Derrick Robinson holding the top spot with 20. Joseph Dickerson is next with 17, followed by Jarrod Dyson with 14 and Chris McConnell with 13.
Waiting In The Wings
While the Royals have four minor league teams that have played almost one-third of their schedule, four Rookie League teams have yet to play a game.
The Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League and the Burlington Royals of the Applachian League will start their seasons on June 17. The Arizona League Royals and the Dominican Summer League Royals will start next month, with dates and opponents yet to be released.
At a glance
League-Leading Thieves
The following is a list of teams who lead their respective leagues in stolen bases through Tuesday's games.
TRIPLE-A
International League Indianapolis Indians 56
Pacific Coast League Nashville Sounds 50
Mexican League Piratas de Campeche 47
DOUBLE-A
Eastern League Erie SeaWolves 62
Southern League Carolina Mudcats 68
Texas League Northwest Arkansas Naturals 68
CLASS-A ADVANCED
California League Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 75
Carolina League Wilmington Blue Rocks 98
Florida State League Brevard County Manatees 65
CLASS A
Midwest League Cedar Rapids Kernels 73
South Atlantic League Asheville Tourists 83
Source: minorleaguebaseball.com
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