Storm Chasers win Futures Game against the Naturals

Eric Hosmer signs autographs after the
game (Photo: Kansas City Royals)

While the Kansas City Royals were staging their second straight come from behind victory against the Angels this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, players from the Omaha Storm Chasers and NW Arkansas Naturals watched in anticipation – knowing they would get their shot soon enough in the Futures Game that started at 3:40 pm.

Behind extraordinary efforts on the hill from Mike Montgomery and Danny Duffy, the Storm Chasers won the game 4-1. The two teams continued to play for three additional innings, after the game was final, to give the pitchers some extra work. The Naturals scored an additional run in the eleventh inning.

• Mike Montgomery got the start for the Storm Chasers. He was sharp in the first inning, prompting this response on Twitter from Terez Paylor, who covers the Royals for the KC Star, “Mike Montgomery is filthy. Just blew away Wil Myers with some 96 MPH heat that drew oohs and aahs from the crowd.” Relying mostly on his fastball, he kept the ball down early, struggled with his control in the third inning, but ended up giving up no hits and no earned runs, striking out four in four innings of work. Montgomery is slotted as the number one starter for Omaha and will get the start in their first game of the regular season at Albuquerque on April 7.

• Danny Duffy took the ball in the fifth inning. He pitched three strong innings, giving up one run on one hit, striking out five and walking three. The run wasn’t earned. Mike Moustakas and Irving Falu committed errors in the seventh inning, leading to the Naturals run. Duffy exhibited a crisp curve ball through his appearance, striking out Christian Colon with a hook to end the sixth.

• During the game, Storm Chaser radio broadcaster Mark Nasser said the starting rotation has been set, but the order is still being determined. The rotation will include Montgomery, Duffy, Everett Teaford, Kevin Pucetas, and Luis Mendoza.

• Jesse Chavez, Louis Coleman, Greg Holland and Blaine Hardy each pitched one scoreless inning. Blake Wood gave up a solo home run late in the game.

• Eric Hosmer, playing first base for the Storm Chasers, caught Joel Goldberg’s attention by flashing a little leather. “Eric Hosmer diving backhand catch on line drive,” Goldberg tweeted. “So that's the Hosmer defense NW Arkansas broadcaster Steven Davis is always raving about.” He made another diving stab late in the game.

• Lorenzo Cain singled in the hole between short and third in the second inning to give the Storm Chasers a 1-0 lead. He was caught stealing later in the inning. He’s going to be fun to watch at Werner Park this season.

• Mike Engel, who writes for Kings of Kauffman, made this observation on Twitter about the Storm Chasers second baseman: “Johnny Giavotella, with an acrobatic play on a grounder up the middle as Monty keeps cruising.” Giavotella stole third with two outs in the fourth inning.

• David Lough took Chris Dwyer deep to left field in the fourth to give Omaha a 2-0 lead.

The Storm Chasers will take a bus back to Omaha tonight. They will work out Tuesday and Wednesday in Omaha, and then leave on Wednesday night for their first game of the season in Albuquerque.

Martie Coradaro, the Storm Chasers’ general manager, announced during the game that there are 2,000 berm tickets available and 40 single seat tickets (no pairs) for Opening Day at Werner Park on April 15.