John Suomi News

INDIANAPOLIS , IN The frosty 2009 edition of Baseball's Winter Meetings closed out with Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, which lacked the Naturals-related drama of last season.

The fantasy draft is in the books....thanks to all who are playing.... AAA - Omaha: Round Rock 6, O-Royals 1 CF Raines 1-3, RBI -- .236 2B Hernandez 1-4, K, CS -- .303 DH Gordon 0-4, 2 K -- .322 RF Aldridge 0-4, 2 K -- .317 1B Ka'aihue 1-4, K, RS -- .255 SS Lisson 1-2, BB -- .243 * LF John Suomi had an OF assist at home.

Chris Johnson's line drive RBI single in the 15th inning gave the Express a 3-2 win over the Royals Sunday night in Round Rock, Texas.

For once, the Express had a nice, easy, stress-free evening. Round Rock took a 4-0 lead in the second inning Saturday and coasted from there, downing Omaha 6-1 at Dell Diamond.

The Royals broke open a close game with six runs in the sixth inning to beat Las Vegas 8-4 Saturday night at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Gil Meche pitched five effective innings Saturday in his second minor league rehabilitation start, leading the Omaha Royals to an 8-4 victory over the 51s in the Pacific Coast League in Omaha, Neb.

The Greinke start has turned from an inspiring event to an experiment to see how the Royals can leave Zack with a no-decision or loss of late.

The Royals' pen does know games are 9 innings, not 7, right? This is getting ridiculous.

Gaby Sanchez lined a single to right with the bases loaded and one out in the 10th, and the Zephyrs edged Omaha 4-3 on Thursday night at Zephyr Field.

Plans called for outfielder Coco Crisp to begin rehab work Wednesday night on his right shoulder - just a few hours after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in Birmingham, Ala.

Since now we've got all 7 Royals affiliates firing at the same time, some of the guys on the fringe I may have noted in the early part of the season may not get noted now in the interest of time.

Remember when the battle cry for Baird apologists was "Wait 'til '08"? Yeah, it didn't happen in 2008.

Friday 12 Jun Northwest Arkansas Naturals Sweep Doubleheader wth Arkansas Travelers - Texas League Friday, June 12, 2009 at 08:28AM SPRINGDALE, ARK.