Kettering Royals

The Boys in Blue were back in Action this week with games on Sunday and Tuesday. Due to a rainout with Mariners this was the Royals first games in 2 weeks. Riding a 4 game win streak they met up with the always tough Beavercreek Sox for a doubleheader. DJ Swearingen got the start for the Royals in game 1 and was able to go 6 1/3 before fatigue would finally get the best of him. With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the 7th the Sox were able to get a few guys on with the help of some fielding miscues, and with the Sox they are a team that will make you pay for those little mistakes. In the top half of the seventh the Sox were able to plate 7 runs before the dust settled. The Royals were unable to counter and fell 10-3 in game 1. After the Royals were recharged with some great hot dogs and gatorade provided by Tom Reynolds, the Boys in Blue came out recharged. Frank Burgos started on the mound for the Royals and he kept the Royals in it. A well placed hit by Brad Koopman that was just barely bobbled by the Sox's right-fielder was all Paul Wilson needed to score as he was running on the pitch. He came all the way around from first to give the Royals the 7-6 lead, but the Sox were not about to let the game get away and were able to tie it up in the bottom half of the 6th. With the game all tied up the Royals sent Chris Jergens to the mound to try and quiet the Sox bat, but he was a bit too excited for the opportunity and was having a hard time finding the zone. A leadoff walk, and a pass ball that squirted by Koopman behind the dish allowed the Sox to get the game winning run to second base. Two pitches later that run came into score as the Sox hitter dropped a bloop single into center that easily scored the runner from second. It was a tough loss for the Royals, but anytime you keep the Sox close it's a victory!

This past Tuesday the Royals played the Indians in their final matchup of the season, unless the meetup in the divisional playoffs. Neil Stafford started on the mound for the Royals and pitched a great game. The Royals offense got started right away in the top of the first with 3 runs highlighted by a 2 run homerun off the bat of Jason Holmberg for his 1st of the season, and in his first at-bat returning off the DL from shoulder surgery. However the Indians would bounce back as the Royals bats fell asleep and the Indians would tie the game at 3 after 3, but that was the wakeup call the Royals needed as they plated 3 more of their own, and continued to score and build a 13-4 lead going into the bottom of the 7th. Stafford took the hill looking to finish the game, but a few well placed hits and a couple walks allowed the Indians to plate several runs. With the score standing at 14-6 with just two outs and the bases loaded the Royals were forced to pull Stafford to try and close out the game. Swearingen entered the game and was able to get the Indians batter to fly out to center to finally close the book and secure the Royals victory.  At the plate Brian Duffy also had not 1, but 2 triples in the game.

The Royals will close out the regular season with a game this Saturday against the Mariners who sit above the Royals in the standings. They can't pass them, but if the standings hold through the final weekend of the season the Royals will most likely meet up with the Mariners again the following weekend in the opening round of the playoffs. Game time is 1pm at Franklin Community Park, and because this is a makeup game from the double header that was rained out it will only be 7 innings. Come out and support your Boys in Blue as they look to close out the regular season on a good note.