The final score of this one definitely doesn't tell the full story, as the Royals and Bats were tied 2-2 with 2 outs in the bottom of the 5th.  Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the Bats woke up and strung together a streak 8 hits, 3 walks and an untimely error to put the game away.

Jake Romo pitched great up until the wheels fell off in the 5th, allowing no hits over his first 4 innings pitched.  Matthew Guerrero came in to stop the bleeding in the 5th, but didn't record an out.  Andrew Miller eventually got a pop out to end the frame, but the damage was already done.

On offense, Guerrero had 2 hits and scored a run to lead the charge.  Romo and John Mendoza had the only 2 rbis on the day for the Royals, with Mendoza scoring the other run.

The Royals continue their seesaw season next week against the first place Valley Kings.  Game starts at 9:45am at Verdugo Hills High School.

The Royals continue to look better, batting around in the first inning then holding off the surging Jokers for a 12-7 victory.

Matthew Guerrero led the way with 3 hits, and Mike Miller and Jake Romo had 2 hits each.  Andrew Miller continued his MVP campaign with a pair of runs and a pair of rbis, and Oliver Lopez also came through with a pair of rbis in the victory.

While the hitters were strong, great pitching has defined this season's squad.  Vince Miller started the game and went 3 innings, striking out a pair while allowing 3 earned (the defense gave up 6 errors over the span, cutting his day shorter than it should have been.)  Jake Romo came in to relieve, and through 4 effectively wild innings (0 earned runs on 2 hits and 8 walks while striking out 6.)  Matthew Guerrero closed things out with 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out a pair.

On defense, catcher John Stradling kept busy tagging out runners trying to score - first on an Alex Contreras-to-Matthew Guerrero relay in the 2nd, and then on a Giovanni Smith "rocket" all the way to the plate in the 6th.

Next week, the Royals go on the road for their first non-VHHS game of the season, visiting the Bats at College of the Canyons, 10am start time.

After the offense exploded for 22 runs last week, the bats went quiet Sunday as the Soldiers swept the Royals in their doubleheader.

In Game 1, Vince Miller took the mound for the Royals and worked 4 solid innings.  But the Soliders capitalized on some poor Royal defense to take an early 10-0 lead.  Oliver Lopez kept the game close, allowing 5 runs over the last 4 innings, and the bats came alive for 6 runs late.  Matthew Guerrero and David Flores each had 3 hits, and Andrew Miller had 2 hits and a walk.  Flores led the squad with 2 runs scored, and Sean Spires had 2 rbis.  Unfortunately the loss wasn't the worst part for the Royals, as a freak injury diving back into first base cost new Royal Nick Perez his season.

Game 2 featured newly-minted ace pitcher Matthew Guerrero, who threw a complete game, 95 pitch 6-hitter, allowing just 3 runs (2 earned) while striking out 6.  Unfortunately, the bats weren't any hotter.  Sean Spires, Andrew Miller and Giovanni Smith got the only 3 Royals hits in a 3-0 loss.

Next week, the Royals are hoping their offense shows up against the Jokers, 9:45am at Verdugo Hills High School.

After an abismal return to the league in the spring, the Royals looked to start fresh in the fall.  In close to 110 degree heat, the Royals offense scored early and often against the Threshers, scoring 6 runs over the first 2 innings before batting around in the 3rd and 4th, eventually winning 22-2.

Offensively, long-time Royal Sean Spires led the charge, getting 4 hits, knocking in 1 and scoring 3 times.  Not to be outdone, Andrew Miller had 2 hits, a walk and a HBP to score 3 times himself while knocking in 3.  Rookie Nick Perez had a 3 hit day as well (could have been 4 hits if not for a close call at first base), and Oliver Lopez, John Stradling and Alex Contreras each scored 3 runs.  Giovani Smith swiped 2 bags before the heat (and the score) stopped the run game.

On the mound, Jake Romo looked like his old self, throwing 3 hitless innings before giving up a single in the 4th.  Oliver Lopez relieved him and retired the only batter he faced, and Andrew Miller did his best Satchel Paige impression, walking the bases loaded in the 5th before striking out the side to close things out.

Defensively, Lopez was the star, picking off 2 runners - at 2nd while catching and at 1st while pitching!

Next week, the Royals begin a new rivalry as they face the Soldiers for the first time.  Since the weather is supposed to be cooler, they've decided to play 2 games - 9:45am and 1:45pm, both at Verdugo Hills High School.

The Royals' first season back in the league in 4 years didn't go as well as hoped for, but a solid core of players are returning to fight another day this fall.  Gio Smith took home the MVP (38 points), and Matthew Guerrero was the team's Cy Young (36 points.)  Outfielder Michael Green led the team with a .414 batting average, outfielder Gio Smith led the team with 15 hits and 8 runs, catcher (!!!) Mike Miller led the team with 10 rbis, and middle infielder Andrew Miller led the team with 10 stolen bases.  On the mound, Matthew Guerrero led the team with 19 strikeouts, Ric Pozo led with 23.1 innings pitched, and Luis Valencia led the team with a 5.19 ERA.

The Royals finished their regular season with a split doubleheader against The Bats and the Valley Kings.

Game 1 against The Bats started bad, with starter Mike Miller giving up 6 runs (4 earned) in the top of the first.  Ric Pozo came in and pitched the final 8 innings, saving the pitching staff (or at least that was the plan) for game 2, giving up 10 runs in that span.  Offensively, the Royals made the most of their 6 hits, scoring 7 runs (while walking 10 times.)  Mike Miller led the way with 2 walks and a hit, while 7 different Royals scored a run and 7 different Royals knocked in a run.  Andrew Miller swiped a pair of bases in the loss.

Game 2 initially looked promising, as Daniel Miller took the mound and worked a strong first inning against a loaded Kings lineup.  Trailing 2-1 heading into the 2nd, the Royals pitching and defense imploded as 19 Kings came to the plate, ending any chance for a Royals victory.  Daniel Miller gave up 12 runs (9 earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks.  He was followed by Tony Gomez, who gave up 5 more on 4 hits and 3 walks.  Andrew Miller gave 2 solid innings of relief, allowing 6 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks, notching his first career strikeout.  Luis Valencia worked a scoreless final inning.  On offense, Andrew Miller and Gio Smith each had 3 hits, while Luis Valencia had a pair of rbis.

Another big inning took a close game and made it look ugly for the Royals.  Heading into the bottom of the 6th, the Royals trailed 6-1, but the Threshers put the game away with a 5-spot on a hot Sunday morning.

Missing most of their pitchers (as usual), the Royals handed the ball to rookie Daniel Miller for his first career start.  Daniel went 3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 2 walks and recorded his first career strikeout.  New Royal Tony Gomez relieved and pitched 2 solid innings before the fateful 6th, allowing a total of 6 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits, 5 walks while striking out 3.  Luis Valencia worked the final 2 scoreless frames.

At the plate, first round pick Horacio Zamaraipa had his best day as a Royal, going 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles (nearly hitting one out) and a walk.  Andrew Miller went 1 for 2 with a walk, while John Mendoza and Valencia had the only other hits.

Worth noting - both Miller brothers made their presence known on defense with a few web gems each, keeping the game close while they flashed some leather.

The Royals finish up their season next Sunday with a split doubleheader at Poly High School - 10am vs the Bats, then 2pm vs the Valley Kings.

A 5-run 3rd inning was the difference in the game, as the Royals fell to the Rangers 12-5.  Following a pattern in recent weeks, the Royals had 10 hits and 7 walks,  ut left 11 men on base and couldn't get the big hit when they needed it. 

Jake Romo started the game, and allowed 6 runs on 2 hits, 6 walks and 6 strikeouts over 2.1 innings pitched.  Brock Luker relieved, throwing 3.2 innings and allowed 3 runs (0 earned) on 4 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Randy Guerrero closed things out, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, 3 walks and 2 strikeouts over 2 innings.

Offensively, Romo and Andrew Miller led the way with 2 hits each.  Luker got his first hit as a Royal - a line drive off the left field fence, while Mike Miller knocked in 2 rbis.

Next week, the Royals face the Threshers at 9:45am at Verdugo Hills High School.

The Royals had plenty of opportunities on Sunday, but couldn't come up with the big hit when they needed it, stranding 18 over 8 innings.  They loaded the bases in 4 of their first 5 innings before scoring their first run.

On the mound, Jake Romo looked solid in the first, allowing a run on 2 hits, before falling apart in the 2nd.  After catcher's interference cost the Royals their starting catcher with an injured hand, the Doinks took control of the game with 8 more runs.  Tony Henriquez provided 2 innings of solid relief, and new Royals Brock Luker threw 3 perfect innings to close things out.

On offense, the Royals scattered 10 hits, 6 walks and 3 hit batsmen over 8 innings, but only scored twice.  Michael Green and Jake Romo each had a pair of hits, and Andrew Miller had a hit, an rbi and 2 steals.  Brock Luker scored both of the Royal runs.

After a week off to celebrate Independence Day, the Royals return to face the Cali Rangers at 9:45am at Verdugo Hill High School.

In what seems to be a theme this season, the Royals again found themselves shortstaffed.  Against a tough opponent in the Mariners, and facing triple digit heat at El Cariso Park (known for it's dusty conditions, even in wet weather), this looked to be a long day for the boys in royal blue.  And they didn't disappoint (unfortunately.)

Matthew Guerrero took the mound and battled through 3 innings, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) and striking out 3.  Sub Joe Alvarez followed in the 4th, but had trouble finding the strike zone (3 walks and 2 hit batters.)  Rookie Daniel Miller got out of the bases loaded jam, allowing only 1 run, but the Mariners figured him out in his next inning, putting together 7 hits and 2 hit batters.  Andrew Miller closed things out, allowing a pair of hits.

At bat, there's not a lot to talk about as the Mariner's pitchers kept things pretty quiet.  Alex Conteras, Andrew Miller, Luis Valencia and Mike Miller each had 1 hit, while Matthew Guerrero walked twice.  Super sub Aaron Mcclain swiped 2 bags.

On defense, Luis Valencia made a highlight reel catch in shallow left, and Andrew Miller showed off his arm from shallow center to cut down a runner at the plate.  3B Alex Contreras and catcher Mike Miller turned a pair of unusual double plays in the loss.

Next week, the Royals look to get in the win column with a 10am game against the Doinks and Dingers at College of the Canyons.  This will be the first time these two teams ever meet, beginning a new PCBL rivarlry!