Royals sweep home-and-home series

For the the first time since June 2009, the Armena Royals have strung together back-to-back victories.

On the back half of a home-and-home with the Bardo Athletics, the Royals received a gem on the hill once again as new-oldcomer Adam Johnson hurled seven-complete and gave up just two hits enroute to an 8-3 finale.

“He looked like he was having fun out there,“ said player-coach Jason Buzzell who took up the oldtimer`s EH spot in the lineup. “He knew the guy waiting in the bullpen sucked, so he gutted out seven and said seeya later.“

Buzzell didn`t have to be called upon and the Royals bats put the ball in play and cashed in some key hits when needed.

The key turning point came in the game when Johnson struggled with command in the top of the fourth. After a single, a hit batsman and a walk, Johnson hit yet another batter before striking out the next. During the sequence, catcher Chad Samoiseti gunned down the runner on first, but the runner from third scored.

Did you follow that?

An error by Landon Miller allowed another run to score and the 3-0 Armena lead was washed away at 3-3 after 4 and a half.

“He (Johnson) told me when I went out there to slow him down with the bases load, ‘I feel good, I`m just being dumb, do what you want, but I feel good.` Buzzell said. “So we let him go. Again, the next option wasn`t ideal.“

Johnson got support from the bottom of the order quickly. Landon Miller singled, Cody Sroka launched a double and before you knew it, the Royals had a 5-3 lead. They`d tack on three more in the fifth and Johnson would keep on keeping on for the complete game.

The Royals now head on a two-game eastern swing down Highway 14. Both Holden, who they play Thursday, and Ryley, who they play next Tuesday, won last night so the team will have their work cut out for them.

“We’ll be short a couple key guys unfortunately, but it’ll be an opportunity for a couple guys who should be there who haven’t been in the lineup yet.“ Buzzell said.

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Jason Buzzell