Pirates Exact Revenge on Royals
After the Royals shocked the Pirates last summer with a first-round upset in the playoffs, the Bucs got their revenge on Sunday, embarassing the Royals with a 26-7 runaway victory. The Royals defense, after allowing only 1 error in the first 2 games of the season, would be shockingly absent, allowing 10 errors. Their baserunners weren't much better, with 3 runners thrown out on the bases in a single inning! Talk about a rally killer...
New Royal Michael Rothman would take the hill, but the Pirates were waiting for him. 8 runs (6 earned) over the first 2 innings would put the Royals on the ropes. Chris Powell would take over, and while effective, it was nowhere near his 3-hit complete game of last August. The Pirates would score 5 earned (12 total runs) against Powell, and Dennis King III would come in for an inning of work (aka batting practice) in the 9th, allowing 6 runs (though 0 earned.)
Offensively, the Royals had a few stand-out performances. Greg Falk went 4-5, and Sean Spires went 3-5. Catcher Rick Valdez blasted a long home run in the 9th and had 4 rbis on the day, and Dominic Archey had 2 triples in his first game of the season. Mike Miller and Ryan Elliott both hit the ball hard a few times, but only had 1 hit each to show for it.
Not much else positive to say about this game. Here's hoping that our next meeting in mid-July has a different outcome.
Pitching
Michael Rothman - L, 2IP, 6ER, 6H, K, 3BB
Chris Powell - 6IP, 5ER, 13H, 4K, 4BB
Dennis King III - IP, 0ER, 4H, K, 3BB
Batting
Greg Falk - 4-5, R, SB
Sean Spires - 3-5, R
Rick Valdez - 2-4, 2B, HR, R, 4RBI, BB
Dominic Archey - 2-5, 2-3B, 2R
Ryan Elliott - 1-4, RBI, HBP
Mike Miller - 1-4, 2R, BB
Daniel Reyes - 1-5
Luke Corvello - 1-4, 2B, 2RBI
Chris Powell - 0-2, BB, HBP
Michael Rothman - 0-0
Dennis King III - 0-0
Short-Handed Royals Lose Another Close One
For the second straight week, the Royals played essentially with 8 men (9 technically, but you'll understand soon) and barely missed a late-inning comeback to fall to the Outlaws 11-9.
Closer Greg Falk was forced into his first start as a Royal, and he performed admirably. 7 strikeouts over 5+ innings showcased his dominance, but one bad pitch to a veteran hitter cost him 3 runs and the loss. The relief staff for the Royals was shaky as position players were called upon to pitch without any warm-ups, and the resulting 6 walks in the bottom of the 5th inning put the game just out of reach.
The Royals' day was hampered on the 5th pitch of the day, when infielder Jeremy Hartman beat out a slow grounder, but strained his hamstring in the process. He showed a ton of heart as he played the entire game at first base, but was unable to take even a step without falling. Still, he dug balls out of the dirt, gunned a runner at the plate, walked twice and even lined an rbi single to left in the final inning.
Offensively, the rest of the team was pretty quiet until the top of the 7th (the final inning.) That inning, every Royal except 1 reached base and scored, but with the bases loaded, one out, the tying run in scoring position and the heart of the order up, the Royals fell one hit shy of tying the game up.
Congrats to the Outlaws - in a game that really didn't feel like a high-scoring affair, they held on to the lead late and earned a tough victory. The two teams will meet again in early July, almost assuredly with playoff implications on the line.
Finally, congrats go out to Charles Rosado - his line drive double in the 2nd inning was his first hit as a Royal - and Jeremy Hartman - his slow roller in the first was his first hit as a Royal. Welcome to the team!
Pitching
Greg Falk - L, 5IP, 5ER, 7H, 7K, 5BB
Daniel Reyes - 0IP, 3ER, 3BB
Charles Rosado - IP, ER, K, H, 3BB
Batting
Jeremy Hartman - 2-3, 2R, 2RBI, 2BB
Greg Falk - 2-4, R, RBI, HBP, 4SB
Ryan Elliott - 2-5, R, RBI, 2SB
Sean Spires - 1-3, 3B, R, 2BB
Charles Rosado - 1-3, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Mike Miller - 0-4, RBI, SACF
Daniel Reyes - 0-3, R, BB
Robert Padilla - 0-2, R, 2BB
Steve Apperson - 0-3, R, RBI, HBP
Royals Lose Close One to Warhawks in Season Opener
As the rain finally left SoCal (at least for the time being), the Royals entered their 25th season in the league with new royal blue jerseys. Unfortunately, the new jerseys will take some time to break in, as the boys in royal blue lost a close one to the Warhawks 8-5.
With just over half the squad showing up, the Royals had to make due with only 8 guys for most of the day. Mike Miller was forced to take the mound to start the season, and had a decent day - 2 earned runs over 2 2/3 innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 3 (while hitting a career high 4 batters.)
Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the 3rd, the Royals offense would strike back. With 2 outs, Sean Spires would single and score on a Mike Miller double to deep center. Rick Valdez would single home Miller (Valdez' first career hit as a Royal), and after 3, the score would be all tied up.
Dennis King III would come in to relieve, and allow 2 runs in his first 3 innings of work.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Royal offense would pick up again. Valdez would walk, and pinch runner Sean Spires would soon be standing on 3rd after a wild pick off and a stolen base. Ryan Elliott would hit a deep sac fly to left, and Danny Reyes would triple to right center (his first hit as a Royal.) Unfortunately, Reyes would be stranded at 3rd, and after 6 in the books, the Royals would trail 4-3.
The Warhawks would score another run in the 7th, and 3 more in the 8th to chase King from the game (4 2/3 innings, 6ER, 8H, 6K), bringing in closer Greg Falk. Falk would be masterful over the last 1 2/3 innings, allowing a single baserunner on a hit batsman, striking out 2 and not allowing a ball out of the infield.
In the bottom of the 8th, Mike Miller would lead off with a single. One out later, Ryan Elliott would single to right, with Miller scoring on a bad throw. Danny Reyes would ground out to score Elliott, but that would be all the offense the Royals would muster. Final score - Warhawks 8, Royals 5.
Pitching
Mike Miller - 2.2IP, 2ER, 3K, H, 2BB, 4HBP
Dennis King - L, 4.2IP, 6ER, 6K, 8H, 3BB, HBP
Greg Falk - 1.2IP, 0ER, 2K, HBP
Batting
Mike Miller - 2-4, 2B, 2R, RBI
Ryan Elliott - 1-3, R, RBI, SACF
Sean Spires - 1-3, R, BB, SB
Rick Valdez - 1-3, R, RBI, BB
Daniel Reyes - 1-4, 3B, RBI
Greg Falk - 0-4, BB, SB
Dennis King III - 0-3, BB
Charles Rosado - 0-3, BB
Kevin Chan - 0-2
The Royals bid farewell to Chris Powell, as he moves to Florida with his family. Although he only spent 4 seasons with the Royals, Chris was an integral part of the franchise. Entering during a rebuilding season where the team went 1-18, Chris wasn't scared away and was a major part of the franchise's turnaround. Each of the next 3 seasons, he would lead the team in most offensive categories, taking the team to 3 straight championship game appearances (including the most recent one, where he drove 600 miles from visiting family in Oregon to make his final appearance in baby blue.) As a hitter, Chris retires with a .399 average, 73 hits (including 17 doubles and 4 home runs), 52 runs scored and 58 rbis in only 58 games. He's (unfortunately) the franchise leader in hit by pitches (22), and has a career .533 on base percentage. As a pitcher, he holds a 9-8 career record, with 108 strikeouts and a 7.06 ERA in 131 1/3 innings pitched, not to mention an incredible 14 pick-offs. On the field, Chris will be most remembered for his magical Spring 2014, with his 21-29-22 runs-hits-rbis stat line, .602 on-base percentage, a complete game shut-out against the #2 seeded Pirates in the first round of the playoffs, and a grand slam in the semi-final game against the Regulators, leading the Royals to their first Spring championship game in 12 years. In the dugout, Chris was a leader - everyone who played with him has heard his pre-game Lou Brown impression ("Let's all gather 'round"), though he definitely had more Jack Parker in him than Lou Brown. Personally, Chris has helped me a great deal with the team, and has been an even better friend who I'm sorry to see go. It's because of all this that he will join Royal legend Jeff Miller (#7) as the second Royal to have his jersey (#40) retired. Good luck in Florida, Mr. Go!
-mike
Three straight seasons falling one win short...while depressing, the progress can be seen. At least the winter months have mostly passed, so there's less time to dwell until the spring season starts. I guess the rain was good for SOMETHING.
Congrats to Michael Nayhouse (team MVP, led team in runs, hits, doubles, triples and home runs) and Dennis King III (team Cy Young, led most pitching categories), Armando Mesa (batting average, stolen bases), Stephan Ohayon (rbis), and Patrick Christopher (walks.)
Pitching/Defense Rule as Warriors Win Championship
After 8 weeks of rain and holiday fun, the Royals' 2014 season would finally wrap up with a championship game against the Warriors. While neither team could muster much offense, the game was full of power pitching (a combined 20 strikeouts) and great defense, with the Warriors edging the Royals 3-2.
Dennis King III would take the mound for the Royals and work a quiet first. The Royals would score quickly in their half of the inning. Michael Nayhouse would lead off with a single, then after back-to-back walks to Daniel Sloan and Patrick Christopher to load the bases, Chris Powell would hit into an rbi-fielder's choice to plate one. However, a botched double steal would run the Royals out of the inning, leading 1-0.
The Warriors would answer right away in the 2nd. King would hit the first batter, and after a pair of wild pitches, a jam-shot single to center would tie the score.
All would be quiet until the top of the 5th, when the Warriors would score again. After a leadoff single, a key stolen base, and another single, the Warriors were again on top, but not for long.
With 1 out in the bottom of the frame, Michael Schofield would single, but speedster Marshall Martin would ground into a fielder's choice. Now with 2 outs, Michael Nayhouse would line a double to the wall in left center - his 3rd hit and 2nd double of the game - and the score would be tied once again.
But the Warriors would answer with one of their own in the 6th. A leadoff single, hit by pitch, and another single would score one and put men on 2nd and 3rd. The next batter would hit a potential sac-fly to center, but centerfielder Michael Nayhouse would throw a strike to catcher Patrick Christopher for a great double play. Daniel Sloan would dive and catch a sinking liner in left to end the inning and keep it a 1-run game.
But unfortunately for the Royals, they couldn't capitalize on their defensive momentum. Chris Powell would relieve King and pitch a scoreless final 2 innings, but the Warriors' pitching kept the Royals' offense from getting anything going, and they would eventually secure the championship.
Congrats to the Warriors on a great game - after these 2 teams combined for 19 runs in their first meeting, this game was quite the contrast.
Pitching
Dennis King - 7IP, 3ER, 8K, 7H, BB, 2HBP
Chris Powell - 2IP, 0ER, 2K, 2H, 2BB
Batting
Michael Nayhouse - 3-4, 2-2B, R, RBI
Marshall Martin - 1-3, R
Michael Schofield - 1-3
Ryan Elliott - 1-3
Daniel Sloan - 0-3, BB
Patrick Christopher - 0-3, BB
Chris Powell - 0-4, RBI
Jay Wasserman 0-2
Mike Miller - 0-3
Stephan Ohayon - 0-4
Royals Slay Wolves, Head Back to the Championship
Behind a 4-run 8th inning, the Royals came from behind Sunday to win in their final at bat for the 3rd time this season. Pinch hitters Marshall Martin and Michael Schofield made their at bats count, capping the rally and sending the Royals to their 3rd straight championship game.
With a long history between these two squads (5 out of 10 Wolves on the lineup card were ex-Royals), paired with the fact that the Royals had never beaten the Wolves on the field in 6 meetings (their only victory was a forfeit earlier this season), this was shaping up to be a good game before the first pitch.
The top-seeded Royals would turn to staff ace Dennis King III to silence the defending AAA champions. King would respond, allowing 1 hit through 3 innings and facing the minimum.
The Royals would take the lead early. Ryan Schappery would single and move to 3rd on a fielding error, scoring 2 pitches later on a Stephan Ohayon single. In the 3rd, Jason Bolding would lead off with a walk (his first of the season), move to second on a Michael Nayhouse single, and third after Armando Mesa walked. 1 out later, Patrick Christopher would hit a sac fly JUST deep enough to plate the speedy Bolding, and the Royals would lead 2-0.
The Wolves would plate 2 in the top of the 4th, ending the day on the hill for King. Michael Schofield would come in and work a quiet 5th, and the Royals would regain the lead in the bottom of the inning. Bolding would lead off with a single, and after singles by Mesa and Dan Sloan, Patrick Christopher would line a 2-run single to center. Ryan Schappery would reach on an error to load the bases again, and Stephan Ohayon would plate another with a sac fly. After 5, the Royals would lead 5-2.
The Wolves would get 2 in the top of the 6th, and chase Schofield from the game in the top of the 7th. Ryan Schappery would relieve and get some ground balls, but the Pierce infield would keep the momentum rolling in the Wolves' favor, and heading into the 7th inning stretch, the Wolves would hold a 9-5 lead.
But the Royals have had late-inning answers all season, and they wouldn't be deterred today. With 2 outs, Michael Nayhouse and Armando Mesa would hit back-to-back doubles, and Dan Sloan would single to right, making it a 9-7 game heading into the 8th.
The Royals would bring in closer Marshall Martin, but the Wolves would spoil his perfect season ERA, putting up a huge run and taking a 10-7 lead into the bottom of the 8th.
Stephan Ohayon would walk with 1 out, but after a pop out to catcher for the second out, the Royals looked to be on the ropes. Jay Wasserman would single, and Ryan Elliott would as well, plating 1. Jason Bolding would follow with a single of his own, plating another and bringing the Royals within 1. Pinch hitter Marshall Martin would single sharply to left - so sharply that the tying run on 2nd would have to hold at 3rd base. Pinch hitter Michael Schofield would come through next with his biggest hit as a Royal - a 2-run single to center to take the lead - on the 5th consecutive 2-out hit of the inning for the Royals. Not missed was the significance that these hits came from the 8 through 12 hitters - talk about a solid lineup top to bottom!
That would be all Marshall Martin would need. 7 pitches later, the Royals would be heading to the championship yet again - this time as the top seed in their division (only the 2nd time in 6 championship appearances they've achieved that feat.)
After winning the AAA division over the summer (their first championship), playing in the OC championship game (both games going extra innings), and playing a tough schedule in the fall (including a double header the weekend before playoffs), you have to believe the Wolves were running on pure adrenaline at this point in November. Congrats to the Wolves on a great year!
Pitching
Dennis King - 4IP, 2ER, 2K, 3H, HBP
Michael Schofield - 2IP, 5ER, 6H, 3BB
Ryan Schappery - IP, ER, 2H, BB, HBP
Marshall Martin - W, 2IP, ER, K, 3H
Batting
Armando Mesa - 2-3, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB
Michael Nayhouse - 2-5, 2B, 2R, SB
Jason Bolding - 2-3, 2R, RBI, BB
Jay Wasserman - 2-3, R, BB
Daniel Sloan - 2-4, R, RBI
Stephan Ohayon - 1-2, R, 2RBI, BB, SACF
Patrick Christopher - 1-3, 3RBI, SACF
Michael Schofield - 1-2, 2RBI
Ryan Elliott - 1-4, R, RBI
Ryan Schappery - 1-4, R
Marshall Martin - 1-2
Mike Miller - 0-4
Royals Split Weekend Doubleheader
The Royals and Platoon started things off Saturday morning, with both squads short-staffed and playing for playoff positioning.
The Royals would send veteran Mike Miller to the mound, and the right hander do his job keeping the boys in baby blue in the game. MIller would throw 6 innings, allowing only 7 hits for 3 earned run (only 1 earned through the first 5 innings), striking out 4.
But the Platoon pitching would keep the Royals off balance all day, allowing only 3 total runs. Michael Nayhouse, Daniel Sloan and Jason Bolding would each get 2 hits in the loss, and Miller would knock in the only rbi on the day (the other 2 runs came in on errors or double play balls.)
Sunday, the Royals and Team Easton would square off, again, both short-squaded (is that even a word?) The Royals would turn to staff ace Dennis King III, and he would send the Royals to the playoffs on a solid complete game victory, striking out 7 while allowing 3 earned run on 9 hits.
Offensively, Daniel Sloan led the way, getting 4 hits including a deep home run to right. Ryan Elliott chipped in a pair of doubles, and Marshal Martin had his first multi-hit game of the season with 2 singles of his own. The win eliminated the rival Team Easton squad, having a rare off-year after dominating the division over the summer.
Pitching - Game 1
Mike Miller - L, 6IP, 3ER, 7H, 4H, 2BB
Michael Nayhouse - 3IP, 4ER, 5H, 2K, 2BB
Pitching - Game 2
Dennis King III - W, CG, 9IP, 3ER, 9H, 7K, 3BB, HBP
Batting - Both Games
Michael Nayhouse - 2-4, 2B, R, BB
Daniel Sloan - 6-9, HR, 3R, 2RBI
Jason Bolding - 2-8, R, RBI, SACF
Stephan Ohayon - 2-6, 3R,3 BB
Mike Miller - 2-8, 2RBI, HBP
Ryan Elliott - 3-8, 2-2B, 3R, 3RBI, HBP, SB
Marshall Martin - 3-9
Patrick Christopher - 0-5
Dennis King III - 0-5, RBI
Black Sox Down Royals
The Royals offense consistently put up runs against the Black Sox, but one long, sloppy inning in the field would cost them the win.
Dennis King III would throw 3.2 innings, keeping the game close into the 4th before the Black Sox bats and Royals' gloves would put the game out of reach. The Royals bullpen combination of Michael Schofield and Martin Marshall would work 4 scoreless innings of relief, but the damage was already done.
The Royals would get big days at the plate from Michael Nayhouse (3 hits including a home run, falling a triple short of the cycle, Patrick Chistopher and Ryan Elliott (3 hits each), and Mike Miller (2 hits, 2 runs scored.)
Pitching
Dennis King III - L, 3.2IP, 10ER, 8H, 2K, 4BB, 3HBP
Ryan Schappery - .1IP, 2ER, 3H, BB, HBP
Michael Schofield - 3IP, 0ER, H, BB
Marshall Martin - IP, 0ER, K
Batting
Michael Nayhouse - 3-4, HR, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB
Patrick Christopher - 3-4, R, 2RBI, BB
Ryan Elliott - 3-5, R, RBI
Mike Miller - 2-4, 2B, 2R, RBI, BB
Ryan Schappery - 1-4, 2B, 2RBI, HBP
Jay Wasserman - 1-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB
Jason Bolding - 1-4, 2B, R, RBI, HBP
Michael Schofield - 1-2, 2R, 2BB
Marshall Martin - 1-3, R, RBI, SACF
Royals Fall to Shock & Awesome
The Royals and Shock played a close game all day, with the Royals coming up just short in yet another late-inning rally, falling to Shock & Awesome 15-12.
Michael Nayhouse and Patrick Christopher would start the game with back-to-back hits, but be stranded in the first.
Dennis King III would take the mound for the Royals, but the weather wouldn't be his friend on Sunday, contributing to 2 sun-aided errors over his first 2 innings and 5 unearned runs. Heading into the 3rd, Shock would hold a 6-0 lead.
Stephan Ohayon would lead off with a double, moving to 3rd on a productive Mike Miller ground-out to the right side. Ryan Elliott would bring him home with an error to short, putting the Royals on the board. But Shock would score 3 in the bottom of the inning, chasing King and bringing in Dave Neal. Neal would get out of the inning with a single pitch, and the Royal bats would respond.
WIth 1 out, Ryan Schappery would single and move to 3rd when Michael Nayhouse doubled to the wall in left. Patrick Christopher would walk to load the bases, and Stephan Ohayon would single home a pair. Mike Miller and Jay Wasserman would each follow with rbis of their own (with Wasserman stealing a bag along the way), and the Royals would trail 9-5.
In the top of the 5th, Jason Bolding would lead off with a single and move to second after Ryan Schappery took one for the team. Several wild pitches would score the pair, and the Royals would trail 9-7.
But Shock would keep the pressure on, scoring 3 more times in the bottom of the inning to stretch their lead to 12-7.
Back come the Royals in the 6th. Mike Miller would lead off with a single to deep right center (probably should have been a double if he weren't so tired (and old) from all the bouncy house obstacle course races at his kids' birthday party on Saturday.) Ryan Elliott would single him into scoring position, and Jason Bolding would cash him in with a fielder's choice. But again, Shock would answer with 3 more runs, this time off reliever Michael Nayhouse, to give them a 15-8 lead.
Heading into the top of the 7th, the Royals knew that time was running out. So they did what they always do - put up a pile of runs in their final at bat. Ryan Schappery would lead off with a double - his 3rd hit of the day. One out later, MIchael Nayhouse, Patrick Christopher and Stephan Ohayon would get back-to-back-to-back singles to plate 2 runs. With 2 outs, Jay Wasserman would single home another pair, but Shock's defense would settle down and quash the rally right there, with a final score of 15-12.
This was a great game played by both teams, and if you take away all of the sun-aided hits/errors that both teams received, one that should have had a much more respectable score. Good luck the rest of the way to Shock & Awesome!
Pitching
Dennis King III - L, 2.2IP, 4ER, 10H, 5K, 3BB
Dave Neal - 2.1IP, 3ER, 4H, HBP
Michael Nayhouse - IP, 2ER, 2H, 2K, 2BB
Batting
Ryan Schappery - 3-3, 2B, 3R, HBP
Stephan Ohayon - 3-5, 2B, 3R, 3RBI
Michael Nayhouse - 3-5, 2B, 2R, RBI
Patrick Christopher - 2-3, 2R, 2BB
Mike Miller - 2-5, R, RBI
Ryan Elliott - 2-5
Jason Bolding - 1-4, R, 2SB
Jay Wasserman - 1-5, 3RBI, SB (seriously)
Michael Schofield - 0-3, BB
Dennis King III - 0-1
