Dawgs Attack Early, But Royals Outrun The Pack
The Royals found a new rival in a much-improved Big Dawg squad Sunday, winning a see-saw battle 20-8. The game was a lot closer than the final score suggests, as the Royals found themselves trailing 8-5 heading into the bottom of the 4th. But their bats came to life, scoring 15 unanswered runs and running away with the victory in the end.
Missing 6 defensive starters, plus their DH (who's arguably their biggest home run threat), the Royals called in a few super-subs and leaned on their veterans. Mike Miller took the hill again and showed that his arm still has a little magic left in it. He threw a 6-inning complete game, allowing 8 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits, 1 hit batsman and no walks. While the defense was shaky at times (7 errors), they did flash some leather with some outstanding plays in the outfield (Joaquin Carrasco, Andrew Miller, Gio Smith) and an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play on a slow roller (Jake Romo-Manny Johnson-Eric Addis.)
On offense, the boys in columbia blue faced one of the hardest throwing pitchers they've seen all season. But for the fourth week in a row, every Royal had a meaningful contribution, with all 10 players scoring a run and reaching base at least twice. Leading the way this week this week were third baseman Jake Romo (3 hits, walk, 2 runs, 4 rbis), shortstop/sub Josh Holmes, who reached base 4 times (2 hits, walk, hit by pitch, 3 runs scored).catcher Oliver Lopez (3 hits, 3 runs, 2 rbis) and right fielder Gio Smith (3 hits, 2 runs, 2 rbis, 2 stolen bases.) But wearing the crown was Nick Ocepek, who not only took a nasty 75+mph fastball to the elbow, but a few innings later, scored on a passed ball where he drew a 5 throw rundown and ended up being pancaked by the catcher - all for naught as the field umpire came in late and called it a hit by pitch and he got home anyway! He had one of his best days as a Royal, reaching base twice, scoring 2 runs and knocking in 1.
Next week, the Royals play the surging Threshers (6-1) at 9:45am at Verdugo High School. These teams seem to play tight games every time they face off, and with first place on the line, expect it to be a good one!
Royals Survive Late Inning Rally, Clinch Postseason Berth
After allowing 4 runs in the first inning, the Royals responded with 13 unanswered runs to take a comfortable lead, only to see that lead all but evaporate in the late innings by a relentless Rough Rider lineup. But for the second weekend in a row, the Royals held on with the tying run on base in the final frame to stay undefeated. With their 14-12 victory over the much-improved Rough Riders (paired with a Glendale Falcons loss to the Threshers), the Royals guaranteed themselves at least a tie for the final playoff spot, punching their ticket to the postseason for the 3rd season in a row!
Kyle Tanaka took the bump for the Royals but showed a little fatigue after going 10 innings in the heat the weekend before. 4 hits, a hit batsman and an error in the first led to 4 runs, but then he'd settle in. Over the next 5 innings, he'd keep the Riders scoreless while allowing only 4 baserunners while striking out 6. Joaquin Carrasco relieved him, but was met by immediate trouble. While he allowed just 2 hits, his 6 walks came back to haunt him, exiting the game with the tying run at the plate and 2 outs in the final frame. Jake Romo gave up a hit, but struck out the final batter to get the save.
Offensively, Eric Addis led all Royals with 3 hits, including a double that banged off the top of the wall in center, and 1 inning later, a home run that cleared that same wall. He also walked, scored twice and knocked in 3. Jake Romo, Gabe Sgambati, Nick Perez and Gio Smith all had 2 hits, and Smith and Carrasco each scored twice. For the 3rd week in a row, every Royal made meaningful contributions on offense - as all 10 players in the lineup scoerd at least once!
Next week, the Royals get a rare night game against the red hot Big Dawgs (who are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time in their team history!) Game starts at 6pm at El Cariso Park in Sylmar.
Royals and Doinks Battle To The Last Out - TWICE
The Royals and Doinks have turned into one of the best rivalries in the PCBL, having met in 3 of the last 4 postseasons, and seemingly always playing one run games. In their last meeting, the Royals tied things up in the Spring 2026 semi-final game in the top of the 9th only to see the Doinks walk it off in the bottom of the inning. With revenge on their mind, the Royals gave their all and kept their record undefeated with a sweep of their weekend doubleheader, winning 10-5 (in 10 innings) and 9-8.
Game 1 was a pitcher's duel, with ace Kyle Tanaka going for the Royals. After allowing 3 unearned runs in the first inning, he settled down to throw a 10 inning complete game, allowing 1 earned run on 6 hits (none after the 4th inning) and no walks, striking out a career-high 14. On offense, the Royals trailed by 1 heading into the top of the 9th, when Alex Uy singled and swiped second, scoring 1 pitch later on an Oliver Lopez single. After Tanaka pitched a shutdown bottom of the 9th, the flood gates opened in the 10th as the boys in Columbia blue scored 5 to run away with the game. Mike Miller (4 hits, 1 run, 2 rbis) and Alex Uy (3 hits, 1 run, 1 rbi) led the way, while the team as a whole knocked out 21 hits (6 of them in the last 2 innings!)
Game 2 was a seesaw battle that saw runs scored by one team or the other in 8 of the 9 frames, amounting to 5 lead changes. The Royals went with a bullpen game, with closer Gabe Sgambati getting a rare start. He went 3 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 1. Joaquin Carrasco threw the next 3+, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks, striking out 1. Jake Romo finished the last 3 innings, allowing a pair of runs on 3 hits and 2 walks and getting the victory. On offense, Romo led the way with 3 hits (including a double), a walk, 2 runs and 2 rbis, while Eric Addis added 2 hits, a walk, a run and an rbi.
All day, the Royals defense was on display, keeping things close and limiting the damage. Ray Torres and Alex Uy turned a sweet LD 4-6 double play, while Daniel Gutierrez showed he's more than just a catcher, diving for a ball down the 3rd base line and making a strong throw to nail the runner at first. All 3 starting outfielders (Gabe Sgambati, Andrew Miller and Nick Perez) had an assist, with Sgambati and Perez gunning runners at the plate, while Andrew Miller made one of the plays of the game running down a gapper in the top of the 9th to hold the runner to a single (would have been the tying run) and Sgambati finished the game chasing down a towering, shallow fly ball while playing in a deep, no-doubles defense. But the play of the game (and undoubtedly the player of the day) went to Kyle Tanaka, who, after pitching 10 innings and playing infield for another 7, made an Sportscenter web gem, diving for a hard ground ball up the middle, jumping up and throwing a strike to first in one of the best plays the Royals have ever witnessed!
For the 2nd and 3rd game in a row, we see a set of team victories, as every single Royal with a plate appearance reached base multiple times and had a meaningful contribution - either a run scored or an rbi.
That was a lot of words! Next week, the Royals will have no time to rest as they face the Rough Riders in a battle of undefeateds. Game starts at 9:45am at Verdugo Hills High School.
Royals Clip Falcons' Wings
Playing short-staffed and missing 4 players was no problem for the Royals as their defense was nearly impenetrable and every player had meaningful contributions in a 16-8 victory over the Glendale Falcons.
Mike Miller started for the second week in a row, and knew he'd need to go deep to keep the Royals in the game. He was up for the challenge, throwing 6.1 innings while taking a 14-2 lead into the 7th before running out of gas. All said, he allowed 7 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits and no walks, striking out 2. Joaquin Carrasco finished the final 2.2 for the save, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, also striking out 2.
Defensively, the outfield (Nick Perez, Andrew Miller, Gio Smith) was full display, accounting for 10 put outs and 2 outfield assists (both by Miller.) They also ran down 3 more hits in the gaps and held runners to singles. The infield trio of Jake Romo-Alex Uy-Oliver Lopez turned an inning-ending double play (the rare 5-6-3 variety), and Romo also made the highlight reel with a diving stab down the 3rd base line, firing across the diamond to barely nab the runner at first.
On offense, the Royals had 3 home runs (Lopez, Uy, Romo.) Romo led the team with 4 hits, 4 runs and 3 stolen bases, while catcher Daniel Gutierrez, second baseman Ray Torres and DH Michael Citro each had 3 hits. Torres led the team with 3 rbis. Every Royal had at least one hit, and every Royal scored a run (except those named Mike or Michael, and that's not without trying - both of their designated runners were thrown out at the plate at least once during the game!)
Next week, the Royals finish the first half of the regular season with a doubleheader against the Doinks and Dingers at Verdugo Hills High School. Games are at 9:45am and 1:45pm.
Royals Sing Dance To Mariachi Music
The Royals bullpen depth was on display today, as 4 pitchers combined to allow 1 run on 5 hits, while the offense continued to stay hot, belting out 22 hits in the 22-1 win.
Mike Miller got a rare start, going 2 innings while allowing 1 run on 4 hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out 3. Gabe Sgambati (4 ks) and Joaquin Carrasco (2 ks) each threw 2 no hit innings, and Kyle Tanaka closed out the game with 3 shutout innings of his own (1 hit, 1 walk and 4 ks.) Defensively, catcher Daniel Gutierrez caught one runner stealing and back-picked another to keep the bases clean.
Offensively, Kyle Tanaka led the way with 4 hits, while Alex Uy and Daniel Gutierrez had 3 hits. Michael Citro and Mike Miller each scored 4 runs, while Miller led the team with 3 rbis. But the statline of the day belonged to Nick Perez, who had 2 official at bats, getting 2 hits (both doubles), scored 2 runs and had 2 rbis. He also reached base on free passes 4 times (2 times 2.) And the best part - he wears #22 and we even let him play an inning at 2nd base. As Vin Scully used to say, "Deuces are wild..."
Next week, the Royals take on the Glendale Falcons at Verdugo Hills High School at 9:45am.
Royals March to Victory Over Soldiers
The Royals opened their fall season with a win for the first time in 2 years, downing the Soldiers 17-14. The offense started strong and stayed hot all day, while the defense showed signs of rust in the later innings.
Working with a tight strike zone, the two teams combined for an insane 31 walks! Kyle Tanaka picked up where he left off in the spring season, throwing 3 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 7 while allowing 2 hits and an uncharacteristic 5 walks. The depth of the Royal's bullpen showed as they paraded out 4 relivers over the next 4 innings. Joaquin Carrasco, Jake Romo, Andrew Miller and Eric Addis combined to strike out 6 on 4 hits, but 13 walks and 3 errors led to 13 runs (7 earned) kept the game closer than it could have been.
On offense, the boys in columbia blue were as hot as the temperature at El Cariso Park! Alex Uy started the season off best, going 2 for 2 with a double and a pair of walks, 3 runs scored and 2 rbis. Eric Addis and Jake Romo each had 3 hits (including a double each), combining for 5 runs and 5 rbis. Daniel Gutierrez and Mike Miller each had 2 hits apiece while combining for 2 runs and 4 rbis. Kyle Tanaka and Gio Smith each had a hit, and Ray Torres ripped a double down the 3rd base line, scored 1 and knocked in 1 in his Royal's debut.
After a weekend off for Labor Day, the Royals return to face the upstart Mariachis. Game starts at 9:45am at Verdugo High School.
The Spring 2026 season comes to a close just short of their goal, but much better than the previous 2 summers (which added up to just 1 win.) Eric Addis finished as the team MVP (90 points), while Kyle Tanaka took home the team Cy Young (159 points.) Addis took home the team batting title (.522) and led the team in hits (24) and doubles (7). Alex Uy led with 26 runs scored, while Michael Citro led with 26 rbis. Citro also was the only 20-20-20 Royal this season (20 runs/20 hits/26 rbis) and led with 3 home runs. Daniel Gutierrez led with 9 stolen bases. Kyle Tanaka led with 7 wins, 54.2 innings pithced, 72 strikeouts, a 1.98 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Jake Romo had the team's only save.
Kyle Tanaka led the division with his 1.98 ERA, and had the 2nd most strikeouts and wins in a season all time in Royals history (see the Records page above.) Alex Uy was 2nd in the league in runs scored, and tied for first in triples with Andrew Miller. Michael Citro and Daniel Gutierrez were 1-2 in the league in home runs, and we had a few top 5 finishes in other categories: Citro (3rd) and Nick Perez (5th) in rbis, and Eric Addis (3rd) and Gabe Sgambati (5th) in walks. As a team, our 227 runs scored was 2nd best in team history, and our 162 strikeouts (as a pitcher) were 3rd best all time. And we did all this in only 17 games (including the postseason!)
With most everyone returning for the Fall 2026 season, the Royals are in prime position to contend for another championship right away. See you all in September!
Royals Comeback Falls Short As Season Ends
The Royals and Doinks renewed their rivalry Sunday, meeting for the 3rd straight postseason - this time in the semi-finals. After the Royals scored first in the top of the first, they trailed until the 9th inning, when they clawed their way back and tied things up, only to see the Doinks walk things off in the bottom half of the inning. Both teams left everything on the field in the most exciting game they played this season!
Kyle Tanaka started and pitched well, allowing 3 earned runs (6 total runs), scattering 8 hits and a walk over 7 innings while striking out 6. Gabe Sgambati piched the final 2 frames, striking out a pair and allowing 4 hits and an intentional walk, and of course 1 unfortunately timed run.
On offense, Eric Addis had 3 hits, including a double, a walk and a run scored. Oliver Lopez reached base 3 times on 2 hits (including a double), a walk, a run scored and an rbi. Daniel Gutierrez (double, sac fly, 2 runs, rbi), Mike Miller (single, walk, run, rbi) and Gio Smith (double, reached on 2 errors) made up the rest of the Royals offense.
Royals Send Upgraded Dawgs to Offseason
The Big Dawgs showed up this postseason with their best outing of the year but it wasn't enough to take down the defending champs. On the backs of 13 hits and a Royals-record 15 stolen bases, the boys in Columbia blue cruised to a 15-3 first-round victory.
With a few late arrivals, Joaquin Carrasco got the start. He got 2 quick outs, but cut a finger on his throwing hand (insert manicure jokes here) before hitting 3 batters and giving up a 2-run double. The throw into 3rd got away and into the dugout, plating another and giving the Dawgs led 3-0. ERA leader Kyle Tanaka came in and ended any hopes of offense for the Big Dawgs the rest of the day, allowing just 3 baserunners over the next 5.1 innings (2 infield hits and a player reaching on an infield error), striking out 13 of the 20 batters he faced.
On offense, Eric Addis finally broken through with his first Royal home run - a towering shot down the left field line that landed halfway to the parking lot! He also had a double that nearly cleared the fence in center, walked twice, scored 3 runs, had an rbi and stole a base. Daniel Gutierrez also was perfect at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and 3 stolen bases. Mike Miller reached all 4 times he came up (2 hits, a walk and an error), scoring once, swiping 2 bags and leading the team with 4 rbis. Alex Uy went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, 2 rbis and a stolen base, and Michael Citro went 1 for 3 with a home run of his own - his 3rd of the season! Every Royals but 1 stole a base and every Royal but 1 scored a run (2 different players for those 2 stats) - a true team effort where every player had positive MVP points on the day!
Next week, the Royals will take on the Doinks and Dingers in a rematch of the Fall 2025 championship game. This winner-take-all matchup will detemine who gets to play for the Spring 2026 championship the following weekend! Time and location is still TBD - stay tuned!
Royals Back Into Postseason
In a seesaw battle of shorthanded teams, the Doinks came from behind to win 9-5 against the Royals in the final game of the Spring 2026 regular season.
Kyle Tanaka took the mound to get some final innings in before the postseason, but was met with bad luck (and 8 players on defense for the first inning.) He gave up 3 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 while only walking 1. Gabe Sgambati struck out 2 in 2 innings of hitless relief, before Andrew Miller came in for the 7th. Andrew gave up a hit, a walk and a hit batsman, but caught a runner trying to swipe home on a passed ball and got out of the inning allowing only 1 to the top of the Doinks lineup. Eric Addis pitched the last frame, but was met by an amped up Doinks lineup (who'd just turned an inning-ending, tie game, bases loaded double play in the previous inning.) Addis gave up 4 runs on 3 hits and a hit batsman, striking out 1.
On offense, Gabe Sgambati led the way with 2 hits and a run scored. Daniel Gutierrez walked 3 times, scoring once and swiping 2 bags, and Eric Addis, Mike Miller and Kyle Tanaka all had rbis.
Next week, most of the Royals will enjoy the Independence Day holiday weekend off before returning to face the Big Dawgs in the opening round of the playoffs. The game is on Sunday, July 12th, 9:45am at Verdugo Hills High School.
On July 5th, the Royals are excited to send Kyle Tanaka and Alex Uy to the AA/A All Star Game, played at 2pm at Conejo Creek Park. Tanaka finished the season with a 6-2 record in 8 starts, throwing 2 complete games, 1 shutout and striking out 53 in 42.1 innings pitched. He leads the league with a 1.91 ERA, and also hit .500 for good measure. Uy finished the regular season 2nd in the league in runs (24), 5th in hits (21) and 7th in rbis (17), hitting .512 while only playing in 12 games. Good luck guys - go make the Royals proud!
