Jokers Wild on Sunday Night
The Royal's offense took Father's Day off, as they put up only 1 run while striking out a season high 18 times against the Jokers.
Joaquin Carrasco got a rare start, and put up a zero in the first (partially thanks to an F9-5 double play on the arm of Nick Perez!) But he'd allow 5 runs (4 earned) on 2 hits and 7 walks over the next 2.1 innings, striking out 2. Jake Romo worked 1.2 innings of relief, allowing 2 runs on 1 hit and 2 walks, striking out 1. Andrew Miller worked the next 3 innings, throwing one of the best game of his young Royals career, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks and 2 hit by pitch, but striking out 6 while allowing 2 runs. Eric Addis shut the door with a quiet 9th inning.
Oliver Lopez led off the game with a hit. After that, it was pretty quiet in the Royals' dugout. Gio Smith walked and scored on an Alex Uy double in the 4th, Joaquin Carrasco got a pinch hit single in the 8th, and Mike Miller and Kyle Tanaka each singled in the 9th. And that was it.
The Royals look to break into the win column again next Sunday against the Doinks and Dingers, who they haven't seen since Opening Day! Game starts at 3:30pm at Poly High School.
Cardsharks - Royals, Jokers and a Pair of Aces
After weeks of insane offense, the Royals and Jokers met in a showdown of aces on Sunday, with the Jokers coming out on top. With a combined 19 hits, you'd expect more than 4 total runs to be scored. But outstanding defense and clutch pitching led to a quick 2:15 9-inning affair.
Kyle Tanaka had one of his best games as a Royal, allowing 3 runs (but only 1 earned) on 10 hits, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts. Gabe Sgambati gave up a run in his only inning of relief on 2 hits, a walk and a strikeout.
Offensively, the Royals scattered 7 hits across 9 innings. Andrew Miller and rookie Jacob Redke each singled in the 3rd with 1 out, Daniel Guitierrez hit a triple with 1 out in the 5th, and Michael Citro/Mike Miller/Nick Perez each singled to load the bases with 1 out in the 7th, but each time the Jokers would get out of trouble.
Such a great game deserves an encore, so the two teams will meet up again next Sunday for a Father's Day matinee! Game starts at 5pm at Ralph Foy Park in Burbank.
Royals Day at the Dawg Park
This past weekend, the Royals and Big Dawgs faced off in a doubleheader. Unfortunately (for the Dawgs), the highlight reel was tinted columbia blue. Being June 7th (6/7, whatever that means), the Royals put up a combined 67 runs (you can't make this stuff up) on 49 hits and 32 walks. Every Royal (16 different players) contributed in multiple ways, so I'll try to just hit on the biggest stats of the day.
Starting with pitching - Eric Addis led the way with 1 inning pitched and a Royal-record 4 strikeouts (yes, one batter reached on a passed ball.) Closer Gabe Sgambati struck out 3 in his one inning of work, as did Michael Citro and Daniel Guitierrez - both in their first ever time on the bump! Also making their pitching debuts were Gio Smith and Nick Ocepek. In total, the Royals threw 13 pitchers over 11 innings, allowing 8 runs on just 5 hits (but 13 walks and 2 hit batsmen kept things interesting), while striking out 23. The only players who didn't throw (Mike Miller, Alex Uy and Gabe Sherman) have all thrown earlier in the season, marking the first time every rostered player has thrown in a season!
On offense, Daniel Gutierrez had his best day as a Royal, going a perfect 5 for 5, with a double, a grand slam (that would have hit the apartments in left center if it wasn't for the netting), 4 runs, 9 rbis and 2 stolen bases. Gabe Sgambati was 6 for 6 with 4 runs, and 7 rbis, and Michael Citro was 5 for 5 with 3 runs, 7 rbis and 1 stolen base. Ray Estrada and Joaquin Carrasco each had 5 hits as well. With the fence missing at Duarte High School, the Royals missed out on at least 4 other home runs (Eric Addis, Nick Perez, Ray Estrada and Andrew Miller), but Eric Addis, Oliver Lopez, Alex Uy and Andrew Miller all legged out triples.
The remainder of June will determine playoff seeding for the division, as the Royals play 2 against the Jokers and 2 against the Doinks and Dingers. These 3 teams are separated by just a half game in the standings, and unsurprisingly, their combined rosters include 3 of the top 4 Cy Young candidates, all 5 leading MVP candidates, 3 of the top 4 ERA leaders and all 5 batting average leaders. The final stretch starts on Sunday, 10am @Duarte High School against the Jokers.
Rough Day For Rough Riders
After a quiet game last week, the Royals offense dominated on Sunday, putting up 18 runs on 15 hits, 10 walks and 3 hit batsmen over 7 innings. Every Royal scored a run, and all but 1 knocked in a run in the victory.
With a few late arrivals, Andrew Miller started the game on the hill. His control eluded him, as he loaded the bases on a walk, a hit and a hit by pitch (he did manage to strike a batter out.) Mike Miller took over and quickly induced a ground ball to second, but through the wickets it went into shallow right to plate 2 runs. He'd pick off a runner, but wouldn't do much better with his control. With ace Kyle Tanaka finally warm, the inning (along with the next 4) would finish quietly. Tanaka lowered his season ERA to 1.48, striking out 7 over 4.1 while walking none. Joaquin Carrasco closed out the final 2 innings, allowing a run on 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 hit batters, striking out 1.
The offense was fire all day, led by Michael Citro and Ray Estrada, who each had 3 hits. Alex Uy, Eric Addis and Mike Miller each had 2 hits. Uy and Carrasco each scoerd 3 times, while Citro knocked in 5. Uy and Addis combined for 5 stolen bases, and Addis, Uy, Mike Miller each reached base 5 times.
After enjoying a relaxing Memorial Day weekend, the Royals come back to face the Doinks and Dingers for just the second time this season. They'll be looking for a little revenge after the 26-1 beating the Doinks handed them opening weekend!
Threshers Bite Royals 5-3
The Royals offense wasn't ready for a rare Saturday game, scoring only 3 runs on 6 hits and ruining an otherwise solid day of pitching and defense. All of the scoring for both teams was limited to 2 innings (the 4th and 6th), leading to a quick 2.5 hour game.
Kyle Tanaka started on the hill, working 1 inning before handing off to Gabe Sgambati, who claimed he had to leave early (but stayed the whole time, since it went so quick.) Sgambati worked 3 innings, giving up 2 earned on 4 hits while striking out 4. Tanaka returned to the bump, pitching the final 4 frames (5 innings total), allowing 2 earned (3 total runs) on 6 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. That actually RAISED his league-leading ERA to 1.73!
Defensively, the Royals only commited 1 error, while turning a double play (Mike Miller unassisted) and working a 3-throw pickle (Tanaka-Uy-Addis-Sherman.)
On offense, Eric Addis collected half the Royals' hits, going 3 for 4 with a stolen base and a double that was a foot short of clearing the wall in left at Conejo Creek. Sgambati, Andrew Miller and sub Julian Hutt collected the other hits.
Next week, the Royals return to the friendly confines and gray monster of Verdugo Hills High School, facing the Rough Riders at 9:45am.
Jokers Not Amused By Royals Offense
The Royals are heating up with the summer, winning their 5th straight - this time against the first place Jokers 17-4. While close for the first 3 innings, the boys in Columbia blue put up crooked numbers in the final 4 frames to cement the victory.
On offense, Alex Uy was on fire, going a perfect 5 for 5 with a double and a walk while raising his batting average to .615! Continuing in the tradition of a different hero every week, Gio Smith had 3 hits, 2 runs and a stolen base, and 5 other Royals had at least 2 hits. 9 different players scored a run, with Uy (4) and Jake Romo (3) leading the scoring. Uy and Romo each knocked in 4, while Gabe Sgambati knocked in 3. Romo also led the team with 2 stolen bases.
Kyle Tanaka got the start and threw a CG for the win. He scattered 10 hits and 1 walk over 7 innings, striking out 8. The defense was solid all day, with shout outs to Jake Romo (turning a line drive to third into a double play) and Andrew Miller (making a few great plays at second before catching a rocket in center field in the last inning.) Unfortunately, the game ended on a controversial double play that saw one runner called out for running out of the baseline between second and third (field umpire judgement call), and another runner called out after diverting his running lane and running into the catcher during a run-down (which could have easily been called obstruction, but was a plate umpire judgement call.) Fortunately, the score was pretty lopsided at that point,so the calls didn't impact the outcome.
Next week, the Royals play a doubleheader against the Threshers, 9:45am and 1:45pm at Verdugo High School.
Royals Stay Hot, Take 2 From Rough Riders
On a warm March day at Verdugo Hills HS, the Royals kept up their hot play by sweeping the Rough Riders 20-0 and 10-3 in a doubleheader. Every player put up positive MVP stats, and the pitching staff showed their depth, even while missing 3 arms and allowing a few guys to heal up (with an off week next weekend.)
Game 1 was the Kyle Tanaka show on the mound. Tanaka threw a complete game shutout, allowing only 5 hits while striking out 5. On offense, all 13 Royals scored a run. Eric Addis led the team with 3 hits, while Mike Miller, Daniel Gutierrez, Jake Romo and Tanaka all had 2 hits. Gutierrez and Michael Citro both notched their first home runs of the season during an 8-run 3rd inning, and Andrew Miller launched a 2-run triple to right for his first hit of the season! Gutierrez led the team with 5 rbis, while 7 Royals scored multiple times! Addis, Mike Miller and Nick Perez each swiped a bag.
Game 2 was much more competitive, as the Rough Riders scored early and put some pressure on the Royals. Andrew Miller took the start and worked 2 solid innings, allowing a pair of runs. The bullpen was even better, with Jake Romo (3 innings, 1 run), Ray Estrada (3 innings, no runs while making his PCBL debut) and Eric Addis (1 inning, no runs) finishing the game. The offense was led by first-year Royal Nick Ocepek, who got his first two hits as a Royal (notably, this was Nick's first multi-hit game in the PCBL!!!) Oliver Lopez and Mike Miller both had 2 hits as well. Ocepek and Eric Addis each had 2 rbis, while Gabe Sgambati, Jake Romo and Estrada each scored 2 runs. Sgambati swiped a pair of bases, while 6 other Royals swiped a bag in the victory!
Next week, the Royals get a much-needed week off to recover and eat Easter candy. Following that, they rematch against the Doinks and Dingers, at a time and location to be determined.
Royals Go Fishing, Catch Threshers 9-6
The Royals evened their record with a strong win against the rival Threshers. Pitching dominated (with the exception of one hiccup - the definition of single A baseball, right?) And the offense kept the pressure on all game, leading to a 9-6 victory.
Kyle Tanaka was dominant on the bump, going 5 innings and allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 6. Joaquin Carrasco relieved, but ran into control issues, brining in Jake Romo to finish the game, notching the save with 4 innings of 2 run relief, striking out 3.
Offensively, Oliver Lopez and Alex Uy each had 3 hits, while Gabe Sgambati scored 3 runs and Eric Addis scored twice.
Next week, the Royals play a doubleheader against the Rough Riders. 9:45am and 1:45pm, both at Verdugo Hills High School.
Royals Lead Into 9th, Jokers Get Last Laugh
The Royals were playing with 5 men missing, but pulled together to take a nailbiter into the 9th inning before the Jokers put up a crooked number and ran away with the win.
Closer Gabe Sgambati got a rare start for the Royals and gave them an amazing 6 innings, striking out 4 while allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. Eric Addis relieved and threw 2 scoreless innings before the wheels came off in the 9th. With 3/4 of the Royals vaunted bullpen out (and another member playing injured), shortstop Alex Uy got a rare relief appearance. Unfortunately, the rust showed as he allowed 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in his only frame.
At the plate, Uy did everything in his power to carry the team to victory, going 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and a walk, scoring 4 times, knocking in 1 and swiping a bag. Oliver Lopez and Gabe Sgambati also each had 3 hits, with Sgambati knocking in 3 runs.
On defense, the Royals turned 2 double plays on the day, with 2nd baseman Gabe Sherman being part of both.
Next week, the Royals look to even out their record when they take on the Threshers at 9:45am @Verdugo Hills High School.
Royals Rebound, Send Big Dawgs to the Pound
The Royals 2026 season evened out, and they handled the Big Dawgs 23-4 in the heat and dust of Poly High School.
The pitching staff continued to look impressive, with Kyle Tanaka getting his first start of the season and striking out 8 in 3 innings. A beat-up Gabe Sherman started strong but struggled in his only inning on the bump, with Jake Romo striking out his only batter faced to escape the jam. Gabriel Sgambati made his season debut and struck out 4 in 2 innings of relief.
Offensively, all 13 Royals either knocked in a run or scored one. Michael Cittro went 3 for 3 with a walk, Alex Uy went 3 for 4 with a double and a sac fly, and Tanaka went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles to lead the sluggers. Eric Addis walked all 4 plate appearances, and leadoff hitter Oliver Lopez scored 4 of the 5 times he went up to bat.
Next week, the Royals are back at Poly High School again, this time at 10am vs. the Jokers.
