Dodos Defeat Royals 21-6
The Royals continued their rough season with another day of bad luck. Already short-staffed, their starting catcher missed the game entirely after getting into a car accident on the way to the game. And that was the first of many things that went wrong on Sunday as the Dodos assured the Royals of a double-digit loss season for the first time in nearly 3 years, winning 21-6.
The Dodos struck first with 4 runs off starter Brenton Bowen. The Royals answered right away. After a Greg Falk single, Dominic Archey reached on a fielder's choice and moved to third on Josh Miranda's single. Ryan Elliott doubled both runners home, and scored himself on a Jason Bolding single. After 1 inning, the Dodos led 4-3.
Bowen settled down and worked 2 quiet innings. In the bottom of the 3rd, Josh Miranda doubled to right and went to third on a bad throw. One out later, Ryan Elliott singled him home to tie the game at 4.
The Dodos scored 3 in the 4th, but the Royals responded again. Rookie RJ Carino and Greg Falk singled to start the frame. Josh Miranda knocked in 1 on a double play ground out, and Mike Miller singled home another to make it 7-6 Dodos after 4.
From there on, it was all Dodos. 14 runs over the next 3 innings signaled the end for the Royals. Congrats to the Dodos on a great game!
And finally, congrats to RJ Carino for his first hit as a Royal!
Pitching
Brenton Bowen - L - 6IP, 9ER, 10H, 6K, 6BB, 2HBP
Rick Valdez - IP, 0ER, 4H, HBP
Batting
Greg Falk - 3-4, 2B, R, SB
Ryan Elliott - 2-4, 2B, R, 2RBI, SB
Josh Miranda - 2-4, 2B, 2R
Dominic Archey - 2-4, R
RJ Carrino - 1-3, R
Jason Bolding - 1-4, RBI
Mike Miller - 1-4, RBI
Brenton Bowen - 1-4
Rick Valdez - 0-0, BB
Dennis King III - 0-3
Bombers Down Royals 23-9
Another early lead surrendered, another loss in the books - a story all too familiar for the Royals this season. After leading 4-0 early, their lack of pitching depth led to another bad day for the boys in blue.
After Charlie Rosado pitched a quiet top of the first, the Royals offense took flight in the bottom of the inning. Greg Falk singled and stole second. Sean Spires walked, and Rick Valdez singled home one. With runners on the corners, Mike Miller lined a deep fly to center to plate another. Dominic Archey reached on a fielders choice, moving to 3rd on a Charlie Rosado single. Jason Bolding walked to load the bases, and newcomer James Nicholson got his first hit as a Royal with a 2-run single. After batting around in the first, the Royals led 4-0.
That lead didn't last long, as the Bombers scored 11 over the next 2 innings to take an 11-4 lead. In the bottom of the 3rd, Mike Miller led off with a walk. After a Dominic Archey single, Charlie Rosado doubled both runners home. One out later, James Nicholson singled home Rosado, and the Royals trailed 11-7.
The Bombers scored 5 more in the 4th, but the Royals answered right back. Sean Spires singled, and Rick Valdez walked to start the inning. Mike Miller reached on an error, with 1 run scoring. One out later, Charlie Rosado singled to load the bases, and Jason Bolding lined a sac fly to left. With 4 in the books, the Royals were surprisingly still hanging around 16-9.
But the Bombers continued to keep the heat on, scoring 7 more runs over the next 2 innings and running away with a 23-9 victory.
Congrats to the Bombers on a hard fought win. Good luck the rest of the way.
And finally, congrats go out to James Nicholson, who, despite nearly passing out behind the plate, had 2 hits and 3 rbis in his Royals debut!
Pitching
Charlie Rosado - L, 4IP, 10ER, 10H, 3K, 8BB, HBP
Rick Valdez - 2IP, 5ER, 7H, 3K, HBP
Batting
Charlie Rosado - 4-4, 2B, 2R, 2RBI
Greg Falk - 2-4, R, SB
James Nicholson - 2-3, 3RBI
Sean Spires - 2-3, 2R, BB
Rick Valdez - 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Dennis King III - 1-3, R
Dominic Archey - 1-4, 2R
Mike Miller - 0-2, R, RBI, BB, SACF
Jason Bolding - 0-2, RBI, BB, SACF
Team Easton Flattens Royals 16-1
The Royals simply didn't show up to play on Sunday, as rival Team Easton scored early and often to send the Royals to their 8th loss of the season, tying the number of losses they had all of last summer.
Short-staffed as usual, the Royals sent Brenton Bowen to the mound for the second straight week, and his arm fatigue definitely showed as Team Easton put up 8 runs in 4 innings against him. Charlie Rosado followed, but with similar results, as he allowed 7 runs in 3 innings. Finally, the Royals allowed catcher Rick Valdez to throw an inning, and he responded by allowing 1 unearned run.
At the plate, the Royals were kept off-balance all day. Jason Bolding singled in the 3rd and Greg Falk singled in the 5th, and that was all the Royals' offense could muster until the top of the 9th. With 1 out, Rick Valdez launched a solo home run to right, and Mike Miller followed with a single. And with that, the Royals rode into the sunset on the down side of a 16-1 loss.
Congrats to Team Easton on a solid win and for playing through the mercy rule.
Pitching
Brenton Bowen - L, 4IP, 6ER, 6H, K, 3BB, HBP
Charles Rosado - 3IP, 5ER, 6H, K, 4BB
Rick Valdez - IP, 0ER, 2H
Batting
Rick Valdez - 1-4, HR, R, RBI
Mike Miller - 1-3, HBP
Jason Bolding - 1-3
Greg Falk - 1-4
Brenton Bowen - 0-1, BB, HBP
Dennis King III - 0-1
Sean Spires - 0-2, 2BB
Daniel Reyes - 0-3
Ryan Elliott - 0-4
Charles Rosado - 0-4
Lugnuts Plate 7 in the 7th to Defeat Royals 11-10
The Royals continue to improve on the field, but unfortunately, they have faced the top 2 teams in the division the past 2 weeks. After last week's late-inning rally by the Regulators downed the Royals, it couldn't possibly happen 2 weeks in a row, right?
The Royals would send Brenton Bowen to the mound for his first start as a Royal. The Lugnuts rudely greeted him with 4 runs in the first and an early 4-0 lead. Bowen would settle down after that, throwing 5 sparkling innings of scoreless ball to give the bats a chance to catch up. And did they ever!
Leading off the second, Ryan Elliott would single, and move to 3rd on a Charlie Rosado double. Jason Bolding would ground out, bringing home 1 and putting the Royals on the board.
In the 3rd, Sean Spires would walk and swipe second. Rick Valdez would double him home, and Mike Miller would single home Valdez, taking 2nd on the throw home and 3rd on a passed ball. Ryan Elliott would single home Miller, and the game would be all tied up at 4.
Greg Falk would lead off the bottom of the 5th with a walk, swiping 2nd. Sean Spires would single and swipe second himself, and Rick Valdez would double the pair home. After Mike Miller struck out on an 11-pitch at bat, Ryan Elliott would single home Valdez, and the Royals would lead 7-4.
Nick Green would double leading off the 6th, moving to 3rd on a Jeremy Hartman single. Pinch runner Jason Bolding would swipe second, and Greg Falk would single the pair home. Sean Spires would single home Falk, and the Royals would lead 10-4 after 6 innings.
However, the Lugnuts were in 2nd place for a reason, and their bats would finally wake up, chasing Bowen from the game. Nick Green would come in and attempt to stop the bleeding, but a few hits and a fielding error in the outfield would cost the Royals dearly, giving the Lugnuts an 11-10 lead with time running out.
Leading off the bottom of the 7th, Mike Miller would reach on an error, but be erased after Ryan Elliott hit into a fielder's choice. Elliott would swipe 2nd and 3rd, and after Charlie Rosado reached on an error and stole 2nd, the Royals would have both the tying and winning runners in scoring position. But the Lugnut pitcher struck out the next 2 batters and clinched the win.
Great game to the Lugnuts - you couldn't ask for much more excitement than that! Good luck the rest of the season!
Pitching
Brenton Bowen - 6.1IP, 6ER, 5H, 4K, 9BB, 2HBP
Nick Green - L, .2IP, 3ER, 4H, K
Batting
Ryan Elliott - 3-4, R, RBI, 2SB
Greg Falk - 2-3, 2R, 2RBI, BB, 2SB
Sean Spires - 2-3, 2R, RBI, BB, 2SB
Rick Valdez - 2-4, 2-2B, 2R, 3RBI
Jeremy Hartman - 1-3, R
Mike Miller - 1-4, R, RBI
Nick Green - 1-4, 2B, R
Charles Rosado - 1-4, 2B, SB
Jason Bolding - 0-4, RBI, SB
Jason Simonek - 0-1
Brenton Bowen - 0-0
Dennis King III - 0-0
Regulators Rally Late to Beat Royals 14-11
The Royals played one of their best games of the year, but a late-inning rally by the dangerous Regulator offense kept the Royals from a second straight victory.
Leading off the first, Greg Falk would single, but be caught stealing. But Sean Spires and Mike Miller would lace back-to-back doubles, and the Royals were on the board early 1-0.
Dennis King III would take the mound for the Royals, but the Regulators would immediately plate 4 for a 4-1 lead after 1.
The Royals would answer right away. Leading off the second, Dominic Archey would double, and following a Daniel Reyes walk, Josh Miranda would single home one. New Royal Brenton Bowen would single home another, and one our later, Greg Falk would single home another. Armando Mesa would walk, and Sean Spires would triple home a pair. Mike Miller would reach on an error, plating Spires and giving the Royals an 8-4 lead.
Heading into the 4th, the Royals would add another, as Mike Miller would double home Sean Spires.
The Regulators would plate 4 in the bottom of the inning, and 2 more in the bottom of the 5th to take the lead. Heading into the top of the 6th, the Royals still trailed 10-9. With 2 outs and Dominic Archey on first, Daniel Reyes would double, and Josh Miranda would single to score the pair, giving the Royals an 11-10 lead.
But the Regulators would come back with 3 more in the 7th, and another in the 8th to cap the scoring and secure the victory.
Another great see-saw battle, just like in the semi-finals last summer. Congrats to the Regulators on a tough win!
Finally, congrats go out to Brenton Bowen, Jason Simonek and Zack Gutin, who all got their first hits as Royals!
Pitching
Dennis King III - L, 7IP, 10ER, 15H, 5K, BB, HBP
Armando Mesa - IP, ER, H, K, BB
Batting
Greg Falk - 4-5, R, SB
Sean Spires - 3-4, 2-2B, 3B, 3R, 2RBI, BB
Josh Miranda - 3-4, 2B, R, 3RBI, BB
Daniel Reyes - 2-4, 2B, 2R, BB
Mike Miller - 2-5, 2-2B, 2RBI
Brenton Bowen - 2-5, R
Zack Gutin - 1-3
Dominic Archey - 1-5, 2B, 2R, RBI
Jason Simonek - 1-5
Armando Mesa - 0-3, R, SB
Dennis King III - 0-0
Royals Notch First Win, 17-9 vs Cubs
The Royals' season hadn't been going according to plan, and a few innings into this one, it looked like another bad day for the boys in royal blue. Then the offense FINALLY showed up (led by 2 veterans and a rookie), and a remarkable pitching effort by another rookie would put the Royals in the win column.
Greg Falk would start for the Royals, but after being sick for the entire week, he had little left on the mound. A run in the first, followed by 6 in the second would spot the Cubs a comfortable 7-0 lead. But just like last week when the Royals rallied from a big deficit against the Aquasox (albeit ultimately in a losing effort), their bats would take a few innings before coming to life today as well.
With 2 outs in the 3rd, long-time Royal (and current season fill-in) Richard Lizarraga would BLAST a 380+ foot home run - so far that the umpires couldn't agree if it cleared the fence or not, and finally had to rely on a classy gesture by the Cubs centerfielder who let everyone know the ball EASILY cleared the fence - got the Royals on the board.
In the 4th, Daniel Reyes would lead off with a triple, and 1 out later, Jason Bolding would single him home. With 2 outs, Greg Falk would single, and Jeremy Hartman would reach on an error to cut the lead to 7-3.
Meanwhile, Charlie Rosado had come in to relieve Falk on the mound. Rosado would make things interesting, walking 10 and hitting 3 batters over the next 5.1 innings, but would limit the Cubs to only 2 runs while striking out 6.
Back to the offense - the Royals would really come to life in the 5th. Mike Miller and Ryan Elliott would lead off with back-to-back singles. With 1 out, Charlie Rosado and Jason Bolding would each walk, plating 1. New Royal Nick Green would get his first hit as a Royal - and boy was it a big one! An rbi-triple to right center would plate 3, and with 2 outs, Jeremy Hartman would walk. Richard Lizarraga would single home 1, giving the Royals their first lead of the day, and Mike Miller would single for the second time in the inning, putting the Royals up 9-7.
With the score 9-8 heading into the bottom of the 7th, the Royals would have their biggest inning of the season. Nick Green, Greg Falk and Jeremy Hartman would lead off with back-to-back-to-back singles, loading the bases for Richard Lizarraga, who would promptly hit a sac fly to score 1. Mike Miller would double to the left-center gap to plate another (his 4th hit of the day), and Ryan Elliott would line the first pitch he saw out of left for a 3-run home run - his first home run as a Royal (in over 80 games and nearly 300 at bats - he was due!) Danny Reyes and Charlie Rosado would each single, and Jason Bolding would knock in both runners with a triple. He would score 3 pitches later on a Nick Green single - his second hit of the inning. All in all, the Royals would plate 8 in the 7th to take a 17-8 lead.
Heading into the top of the 8th with time running out, Rosado would find himself in a little trouble. But Nick Green would come in and shut things down, getting the final two outs in his Royal debut and securing their first victory of the season.
Congrats to the classy Culver City Cubs (how 'bout THAT alliteration) on a great game - they're a fun team to play, and hopefully a great adversary for years to come! And finally, congrats to Nick Green, who got his first hit, run and rbi as a Royal, Charlie Rosado, who stepped up big time and got his first win as a Royal, and Ryan Elliott, who finally got that big fly added to his baseball resume! Great job guys!
Pitching
Greg Falk - 2IP, 2ER, 6H, 2K, BB, HBP
Charles Rosado - 5.1IP, 2ER, 3H, 6K, 10BB, 3HBP
Nick Green - .2IP, 0ER, 0H, HBP
Batting
Mike Miller - 4-5, 2B, 2R, 2RBI
Ryan Elliott - 3-5, HR, 2R, 3RBI
Nick Green - 3-5, 3B, 2R, 4RBI
Jason Bolding - 2-3, 3B, 3R, 4RBI, 2BB
Richard Lizarraga - 2-4, HR, R, 3RBI, SACF
Daniel Reyes - 2-5, 3B, 2R
Greg Falk - 2-6, R
Jeremy Hartman - 1-4, 2R, BB
Charles Rosado - 1-4, 2R, BB
Dennis King III - 0-0
AquaSox Rally Past Royal 10-7
The Royals spotted the AquaSox a 7-1 lead, before coming back to tie things up in the 6th. But a late 3-run rally by the Sox would keep the Royals winless.
The Royals would get on the board early. Greg Falk would single and take 2 bases on a throwing error by the catcher. Rick Valdez would hit a sac fly to bring him home, giving the Royals a short-lived 1-0 lead.
Lefty Michael Rothman would take the hill, and the Sox would greet him with 1 in the first. After a few quiet innings on both sides, the Sox would plate 6 more (only 2 of them earned) in the 3rd to take a 7-1 lead. Dennis King III would come in and relieve, striking out 6 in 2.1 innings of work.
But the Royals would come back in the 6th. Greg Falk, Sean Spires and Rick Valdez would lead the inning off with back-to-back-back singles, bringing home 2. Mike Miller would walk to load the bases, and Ryan Elliott would double home a pair. Charles Rosado would double home another pair, and Jason Bolding would single home another, tying the game at 7.
After a long inning, King wouldn't be able to continue throwing, so Falk would come in to relieve. After a quiet bottom of the 6th, the Sox would plate 3 in the bottom of the 7th, and their bullpen would shut out the Royals the rest of the way. Final score - AquaSox 10, Royals 7.
Pitching
Michael Rothman - 2.2IP, 2ER, 6H, BB
Dennis King III - 2.1IP, 0ER, 6K, 2BB, HBP
Greg Falk - 2IP, 3ER, 4H, 2K, 2BB
Batting
Greg Falk - 2-4, 2R
Sean Spires - 2-4, 2B, R
Rick Valdez - 2-3, 3B, R, 2RBI, SACF
Ryan Elliott - 1-4, 2B, R, 2RBI
Charles Rosado - 1-4, 2B, R, 2RBI
Daniel Reyes - 1-3, BB
Jason Bolding - 1-4, RBI
Mike Miller - 0-2, R, 2BB, SB
Michael Rothman - 0-3
Dennis King III - 0-1
The Royals were saddened to learn of the retirement of Jay Wasserman. While most notably a member of the Blue Jays, playing one game a week was never enough for Jay Bird. He joined the Royals in the Fall of 2010 and retires ranked 16th on the all-time list for games played as a Royal. He was a member of 3 Royal squads that went to championship games, and finished with a 3-3 record as a pitcher, and as a batter, a .318 average with 41 runs scored and 50 rbis in 65 games. His best season as a Royal came in the summer of 2014, when he knocked in 23 runs and hit .342. We wish nothing but the best for Jay in his post-baseball life, and if he ever decides to dust off the spikes again, there'll always be a spot in our lineup for him. You'll be a tough out to replace in our lineup, and an even tougher guy to replace in the dugout. Thanks for the memories Jay!
Mudhens Outslug Royals 22-13
The Royals offense is starting to show signs of life, but they couldn't hang with the Mudhens power bats. The two squads combined for 38 hits and 35 runs in a game that the Mudhens had an answer for every rally the Royals put together.
The Mudhens would put 5 on the board in the first against lefty Michael Rothman, though most of those were aided by poor Royal defense.
The Royals would respond immediately in the bottom of the first. Greg Falk would lead off with a single, and one out later, Jeremy Hartman would single, and Mike Miller would single to bring home one. With 2 outs, Ryan Elliott would get hit by a pitch to load the bags, and Charles Rosado would single home a pair. Dominic Archey would triple home a pair, and after 1, the score would be all tied up 5-5.
In the bottom of the 3rd, the Royals would take the lead. Sean Spires would single and swipe 2 bags. Hartman and Miller would each walk to load the bases, and Jay Wasserman (in his swan song game) would bring one home with a double-play ground out. Ryan Elliott would single home another and swipe second, and Charlie Rosado would single home Elliott, putting the Royals up 8-5.
But the Mudhens would score 4 in the 4th to take the lead, notably on an inside-the-park home run that would temporarily knock Dominic Archey out of the game. In a scary moment, Archey nearly caught the ball but landed HARD on his back and was down for several minutes before being helped to his feet and leaving the field under his own power.
Dennis King III would come in for the 5th, but the Mudhens would greet him with 6 runs over the next 2 innings.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Royals would heat up again. Ryan Elliott would get hit by another pitch, and Charlie Rosado and Dominic Archey would each single, knocking in 1. Daniel Reyes would single to load the bases, and Blake Burtchaell would hit a sac fly to bring home another, making it a 15-10 game.
But the Hens wouldn't let up, scoring 3 in the next inning. Jay Wasserman would come in for the 8th, but the Hens put up 4 against him, making it 22-10 heading into the bottom of the 8th.
After Mike Miller lined out to former Royal Stephan Ohayon, Wasserman would walk, Elliott would single and Rosado would walk to load the bases. Archey would single home 2, and Reyes would ground out to plate another, but that's all the Royals had in the tank, as the final score would be 22-13 in favor of the Mudhens.
Congrats go to the Hens on another great game!
Pitching
Michael Rothman - 4IP, 5ER, 7H, 3K, 4BB
Dennis King III - 3IP, 9ER, 10H, 7K, 5BB
Jay Wasserman - IP, 3ER, 4H, K, BB
Batting
Charles Rosado - 3-3, 3RBI, 3R, BB
Dominic Archey - 3-4, 3B, 4RBI
Greg Falk - 3-4, R, SB
Ryan Elliottt - 2-2, 4R, RBI, 2HBP, SB
Mike Miller - 2-3, R, RBI, BB
Daniel Reyes - 2-4, RBI
Jeremy Hartman - 1-3, 2R, BB, SB
Sean Spires - 1-4, R, 3SB
Jay Wasserman - 0-3, R, BB
Blake Burtchaell - 0-3, RBI, SACF
Steve Apperson - 0-3
Royals Tie Arsenal With Late-Inning Rally
Looking to avoid starting the season with 4 straight losses, the Royals rallied twice against the Arsenal, putting up 2 runs in the 8th inning to force a tie against a team 30% comprised of former Royals.
After a humiliating 10-error game against the Pirates, the Royal defense was much better on Sunday. And the pitchers definitely needed it, as all 3 Royal hurlers were pitching hurt.
Dennis King went 3 innings before coming out with a sore elbow, giving up 3 unearned runs. Entering with very few warm-up pitches, Mike Miller allowed 2 earned, but mostly at his own hand, as he only allowed 1 hit over 1 1/3 innings, but left with a torn ligament in his shoulder. Closer Greg Falk came in and worked the remaining 3 2/3 innings with a dead arm, but held on just enough to break the losing streak.
Offensively, this was the best game of the season for the Royals. My favorite stat of the day is that of the 3-4-5 hitters Jeremy Hartman, Mike Miller and Dominic Archey - they combined to go 0-7, walking 6 times, getting hit by 2 pitches, scoring 5 runs and bringing home an rbi. That's an oddly effective middle of the order. Most of that was because of the bottom of the lineup hitting of Charlie Rosado and Jason Bolding. Each had 3 hits as the Royals put up a season-high 12 hits and 10 walks.
Rosado led off the 2nd with a double, scoring a few batters later on a Greg Falk fielder's choice.
In the 5th inning with the Royals down 6-1, the boys in blue had their best inning of the year. Sean Spires would walk, but be thrown out stealing (a true rarity, and much props to the Arsenal catcher.) Jeremy Hartman would walk, and Mike Miller and Dominic Archey would each get hit by pitches to load the bases. Rosado would single home 1, and Steve Apperson would knock in another on an error. Jason Bolding would single home another, and Falk would single home 2 more. Spires would single, and Hartman would walk to load the bags. Miller would walk to bring home 1, and Archey would reach on an error to bring home another, giving the Royals a 9-6 lead.
With the score 11-8 and the Royals in their final at bat, Miller, Archey and Rosado would start the inning with back-to-back-to-back walks. One out later, Steve Apperson and Jason Bolding would hit back-to-back rbi-singles to tie the game.
Congrats to the Arsenal for playing a full 3 hours (and 20 minutes of extra baseball.) Can't wait until we face each other again - in the last game of the regular season. Hopefully there will be playoff implications on the line for both clubs!
Pitching
Dennis King III - 3IP, 0ER, 5H, 5K, 2BB
Mike Miller - 1.1IP, 2ER, H, 3BB, HBP
Greg Falk - T, 3.2IP, 4ER, 8H, 4K, HBP
Batting
Charlie Rosado - 3-4, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB
Jason Bolding - 3-5, R, 2RBI
Greg Falk - 2-5, R, 3RBI, BB, SB
Sean Spires - 2-5, R, BB
Steve Apperson - 1-5, RBI, R
Blake Burtchaell - 1-4, BB
Mike Miller - 0-2, 2R, RBI, 2BB, HBP
Jeremy Hartman - 0-2, R, 3BB
Dominic Archey - 0-3, 2R, BB, HBP
Nelson Bautista - 0-2
Dennis King III - 0-0
