Pitching Leads The Way as Royals Beat Panthers Again
GUELPH - A playoff-style win.
The Guelph Royals erased a Kitchener Panthers lead for the second consecutive game on Saturday evening, beating the Panthers 5-2 to improve to 20-12 on the season.
With the loss, the Panthers fall to 10-23.
Guelph starter Kyle Thomas picked up the win, tossing six innings of two-run ball on five hits and a lone walk.
The former Detroit Tigers farmhand struck out seven Kitchener batters.
Royals left fielder Ethan Hammond got on base three times on Saturday, twice via a pair of singles and once via a free pass.
Reliever Drew Durst was dominant in his Royals debut, tossing three perfect innings, striking out five batters along the way.
Kitchener starter Danny Garcia took a no-decision against his former team after allowing two earned runs on five hits and four walks in five innings.
Taking the loss was reliever Nathan Laird, who allowed one earned run on two hits and a walk without even recording an out.
KITCHENER - 2-5-2
GUELPH- 5-7-0
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Up 3-2 in the sixth, Royals right fielder Andy Leader reached on an error by Panthers right fielder Liam McTague, allowing second basemen Carson Burns to score from third base.
The Panthers never brought the tying run up to the plate the rest of the way.
BY THE NUMBERS...
0. Zero errors by the Royals on Saturday, after a sloppy game in Kitchener on Thursday.
2. Just two earned runs against Thomas, who has not allowed more than three runs in a start since August 5th, 2023.
3. Three dominant innings in relief for Durst, who arrived with the team on Thursday after signing hours before the deadline on Monday.
3. Three wins in a row for the Royals, who also move into sole possession of third in the IBL after the London Majors lost to the Welland Jackfish earlier in the day.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Royals wrap up their busy week on Sunday afternoon against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Christie Pits. The first pitch is set for 2:00 pm.