Takamatsu drives in eight in Royals' win

KITCHENER – Garrett Takamatsu drove in eight in Guelph’s 22-7 win Sunday afternoon in Kitchener.  

The Royals’ third baseman drove in two with a single in the second inning and then connected for a three-run blast in the seventh. He added a two-run home run an inning later and finished his day with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.  

Liam Wilson went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. He also scored four times. J.D. Williams had two hits and scored twice, Brando Leroux had an RBI, Andy Leader had four hits and three runs, Matthew Ward went 2-for-4, Anderson Fenwick drove in two, Ethan Hammond went 2-for-4 with three RBI, Jordan Gallo drove in four on three hits, and David Stanley was credited with an RBI the hard way after getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  

The run support made a winner out of reliever Owen Newman (2-1), who threw two scoreless, hitless innings. Brandon Deans picked up a three-inning save. He didn’t allow a run and struck out five while working around five walks.  

Panthers’ starting pitcher Yadian Martinez (3-4) took the loss after giving up nine runs (six earned) on 11 hits in five innings. He walked four and fanned five.  

Offensively, Iyad Ansari went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Trent Lawson drove in two, Yordan Manduley went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Yunior Ibarra had an RBI, and Yosvani Penalver singled twice.  

Guelph improved to 6-9, and Kitchener fell to 6-11.