Royals enter playoffs with a win

GUELPH – Guelph will enter the playoffs on a high note after a 12-6 victory over Kitchener on Saturday at David E. Hastings Stadium.   

Franklin Torres went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI for the sixth-place Royals (20-22), who will face London or Barrie in the first round. Garrett Takamatsu singled, doubled and drove in two, Andy Leader went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and J.D. Williams, Matthew Ward, Conner Morro and Keinner Pina all had an RBI.  

Kyle Thomas (3-0) nabbed the win in relief after allowing six runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings. He walked one and struck out one after taking over for starter Andrew Case, who was lifted after two scoreless innings.  

For eighth-place Kitchener (16-25), AJ Karosas went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run. Yunior Ibarra homered and drove in two, Yosvani Penalver went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Mateo Zeppieri, Petey Kiefer and Trent Lawson all had two hits.  

Brett Reid was tagged with the loss after yielding five runs on two hits and three walks in one-third of an inning. Panthers’ starter Owen MacNeil gave up four runs on five hits in five innings. He walked two and fanned five.