Week in Review: Royals Continue Hot Play
GUELPH, ON - Guelph only played two games this week but continued their hot play.
Friday, August 1
The Royals came into this weekend winners of four straight. With wins over Brantford, Toronto and Kitchener, the Royals looked to keep the good vibes going against Hamilton.
The Royals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to a Liam Wilson double that scored Conner Morro all the way from first base. Wilson scored during the next at bat as Garrett Takamatsu singled to left field.
The Royals added to their lead in the top of the fifth courtesy of Takamatsu’s second and third RBI of the game. He scored Franklin Torres and Keinner Pina with another single, this time with the bases loaded. That swing chased Hamilton started Corben Peters from the game and doubled the Royals lead to 4-0.
The Cardinals got one back in the bottom half of the fifth and got another in the eighth. But with 2 two outs in the top of the ninth and a man on first and second, Wilson delivered a clutch single that scored Torres from second, all but sealing the win for the Royals.
Closer Edgar Garcia came in for the bottom of the ninth and struck out three of the four batters he faced.
Royals pitching was strong all night, and the tone was set by starter Antonio Frias who struck out four batters in 3.0 IP while only giving up two hits. He was replaced by Kyle Thomas, who struck out three in 2.0 IP while also getting the win. Claudio Custodio struck out four in 2.0 IP, newly signed Andrew Case struck out three in his one inning of work and Garcia did the same to close out the game.
It was a total team effort from both the offence and defence and the Royals looked to keep that going Saturday in Guelph for the second half of the home-and-home.
Saturday, August 3
Saturday saw Jacob Kush get the start for the Royals in front of a packed Hastings Stadium where fans celebrated Hawaiian Night with hula skirts, lei’s and lots of good vibes.
Hamilton jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead but not before Guelph was able to cut the lead in half in the third inning. With two quick singles from Torres and Morro, and some heads up base running, Pina had a man on third and second with no outs. He was able to score Torres off of a ground out to the shortstop, but Guelph was on the board.
Hamilton was able to score four runs over the next two innings and extend their lead to 6-1 after the fifth inning. Takamatsu chipped into the lead in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single that scored Pina from second base, but that was all the Royals were able to muster in this one.
The Royals winning streak was halted at five games, but Manager Dino Roumel is excited about the new-look Royals heading into the final stretch, noting that “all these guys are going to contribute in different ways…. I’m really happy with where we’re at.”
Up Next
The Royals have a busy four game week coming up, hosting Chatham-Kent and Welland at home while travelling to London and Brantford to close out the weekend.