Royals Complete Season Sweep of Pirates
BURLINGTON, N.C.- The Burlington Royals accomplished a feat Wednesday that the team had never achieved since Burlington became a Kansas City affiliate in 2007. With a 4-2 win over the Bristol Pirates, Burlington completed a sweep of the season series against Bristol, marking the first time in Burlington Royals history that the Royals have won every game against a particular opponent. Burlington improves to 19-14 with the win, while Bristol drops to 15-18.
Burlington struck first with a run in the bottom of the second inning. RF Boo Vazquez and LF Vance Vizcaino hit back-to-back singles to begin the frame. After an out, CF Cristhian Vasquez hit a bouncing ball to first. The throw on an attempted out at second sailed into left field, and Vazquez scored.
Bristol was quick to answer against Royals RHP David McKay. 1B Sam Kennelly led off with a single, and advanced to second on a groundout. He scored on an RBI double to left center by 2B Adrian Valerio. The run was a small blemish on a dominant day by McKay. He worked six strong innings, scattering six hits while striking out eight and walking none.
The Royals qualified McKay for the win with a pair of fifth-inning runs. Vasquez and DH Logan Gray drew back-to-back walks to begin the inning, and C Chase Livingston hit a bunt single to load the bases. SS Nicky Lopez bounced into a double play, but Vasquez came in to score to give the Royals the lead. Gray advanced to third on the play and scored on a wild pitch.
Bristol once again answered the Royals in the sixth, as DH Huascar Fuentes led off with a single, and C Deybi Garcia lined an RBI triple to right field. With a runner at third and no out, McKay escaped the trouble with a popout, groundout and strikeout.
The Royals added their final run in the bottom of the sixth. Vazquez drew a one-out walk, and scored on a booming RBI double to left center field from 2B Gabriel Cancel.
RHP Alex Close tossed two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth, and RHP Walker Sheller shut the door in the ninth.
NOTABLE…
- Lopez failed to reach base for the first time as a professional. His on-base streak was at 30 games entering play on Wednesday.
- Livingston was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt in his Appalachian League debut. Vizcaino joined him with two hits.
- Counting the entire game on Tuesday and the first six innings on Wednesday, Royals pitching combined on a 15-inning stretch with no walks and 20 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Burlington opens a series with the Pulaski Yankees on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. It will be Thirsty Thursday, with Red Oak, Hummin' Bird and Budweiser products available for just $1 each at the Royals' beer stands. Additionally, the Royals will celebrate Throwback Thursday, with special powder blue uniforms. For tickets, call (336) 222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com
Fans can also listen to the game live with Matt Krause. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on www.burlingtonroyals.com or the TuneIn App (search "Burlington Royals").
Burlington 4, Bristol 2
WP: David McKay (2-1)
LP: Ike Schlabach (1-4)
SV: Walker Sheller (4)