J.C. Sulbaran quietly having a good year at Northwest Arkansas

Class AA Northwest Arkansas’ bullpen imploded Tuesday night in an 8-4 loss to Tulsa.

Right-hander J.C. Sulbaran allowed just one run on three hits in six innings, but Andrew Triggs gave up six runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk in the ninth.

Sulbaran, who walked three and struck out five, has caught the eye of the Royals’ brass after struggling in 2013 with a 6.16 ERA between Class A-Advanced Wilmington and Northwest Arkansas.

“He’s quietly had a very good year,” Royals assistant GM JJ Picollo said. “We acquired J.C. from Cincinnati in the (Jonathan) Broxton trade (in 2012). He pitched in the Futures Game a few years ago, but had a tough year last year. He spent a lot of time in the complex this last winter, had a good spring and continues to get back to the things that allowed him to have success prior to us acquiring him.”

In his last eight starts, Sulbaran has a 2.19 ERA and opponents are hitting just .219 against him.

Shortstop Orlando Calixte, right fielder Jorge Bonifacio and catcher Parker Morin each had two hits in Tuesday’s game.

This story was originally published July 16, 2014 at 11:36 AM.