Garton Sets Off Long Weekend Fireworks in Blowout Win Over Panthers
KITCHENER - A winning weekend.
The Guelph Royals blew out the Kitchener Panthers 27-6 on Sunday afternoon to improve to 2-0 on the season.
With the loss, the Panthers fell to 0-3 on the season.
Guelph starter Hector Yan picked up the win after throwing five innings of two-run ball.
The hard-throwing southpaw allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out two batters.
Guelph designated hitter Josh Garton once again led the way at the plate, going two-for-two with a pair of home runs, with his first one being a grand slam home run in the top of the fourth inning.
Kitchener starter Carson Hepburn took the loss in his IBL debut.
The Newmarket native allowed eight earned runs on six hits and three walks in three-and a-third innings pitched.
GUELPH - 27-21-3
KITCHENER - 6-6-4
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Up 2-1 in the top of the third inning, Royals first basemen Garrett Takamatsu hit a two-run home run for his first home run as a Royal.
His home run was a sign of things to come for the Royals in their first road win of the season.
BY THE NUMBERS...
3. Two home runs for Garton on Sunday, with one coming via the grand slam variety. The Royals slugger has three home runs on the season already.
4. Four home runs for the Royals, with Garton (2), Takamatsu, and JD Williams going deep for the away side on Sunday.
5. The blowout win allowed Royals manager Dino Roumel to empty his bullpen. The veteran manager used five pitchers on Sunday, between Yan, newcomer Danny Garica, Jorge De La Cruz Paez, Yomar Concepcion, and Yuki Narita.
Every available pitcher on the Royals roster appeared in at least one inning dated back to Friday evening in Hamilton.
11.. All 11 batters the Royals played on Sunday reached base at least once.
19. 3-4-5 in the Royals batting order (Williams, Garton, and Takamatsu) brought in 19 of the Royals 27 runs. It would not be made possible without shortstop Ryosuke Ohashi and second basemen Blake Simpson reaching base a combined 13 times out of the 1-2 spots in the lineup.
27. The Royals scored 27 runs in their second game of the season on Sunday. It took them until game five to score 27 runs a season ago.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Royals are off until Saturday when they welcome the London Majors to Hastings Stadium.
The first pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.