The Oakville A's entered Thursday night's contest riding a three game losing streak as they looked to turn things around and get back into the win column. The A's sent their ace RHP Gord Robertson to the mound against the Brampton Royals RHP Steve Hough.

 

The Royals struck first in the bottom of the first as Royals slugger Joe Ferreira took a Robertson offering deep to left field for a home run to give the Royals an early 1-0 lead. The Royals weren't done there however as Vic Speciale would single, followed by a walk to third baseman Ryan Thompson. With two outs and two on, Brian Stormer hit a chopping ground ball to third that was misplayed by third baseman Marc Walton, leading to another Royals run. Fabio DiRoma would follow up the error with a single to drive in the third Royals run of the inning to give them the 3-0 lead heading into the second inning.

 

The A's platted their first run of the game in the second, as Marc Walton turned on a first pitch fastball hitting a line drive to left that would clear the fence for his first home run of the season, and bring the A's one run closer.

 

Oakville would take the lead in third inning as catcher Pat Griffin began the inning with a single to left field, followed by a bunt single by center fielder Courtney Morales to give the A's two runners to begin the inning. Zack Dickson followed the back-to-back hits with a single to drive Griffin home setting the table for the hot hitting Julian Richards. Richards would come up big, slugging a two RBI double into the right center gap to give the A's the 4-3 edge, and their first lead of the night.

 

As we move to the bottom of the fourth inning, Brampton would scrape across the tying run as Yannick Rickli led off the inning with a single up the middle to give them an early base runner. Robertson would retire the next two hitters, however the hot hitting Joe Ferreira would capitalize on the situation driving a double to the left-center gap to plate the tying run to make it 4-4.

 

As we move to the seventh inning and the game still tied at four, Oakville would break the tie by platting two runs in the inning. Zack Dickson began the inning with a leadoff single, followed by a base hit by Julian Richards to give the A's runners at the corners with nobody out. Second baseman Brad Hill would drive Dickson home from third on a fielders choice with the Royals only able to collect one out on the 6-4 put out at second. Brad Hill utilized his speed by stealing second to put himself into scoring position with one out in the inning. The Royals retired the next hitter on a 5-3 putout for the second out. With Marc Walton at the plate, and two outs in the inning, Brad Hill would steal third for his second steal of the game. Walton drive Hill home from third on a costly error by the Royals shortstop to give the A's the 6-4 lead.

 

Oakville added two more runs to their lead in the eighth as Matt Reagan began the inning with a leadoff single, followed by a one out double by the torrid hitting Tommy "Wiffles" Biskup to give the A's two runns in scoring position. Zack Dickson would capitalize by shooting a ball down the right field line for a two RBI triple, giving the A's an 8-4 lead heading into the bottom of the inning. With Michael Vanderlaan, who came on in relief of Robertson in the sixth, on the mound, the Royals would get some life to begin the inning. Enrique Carrera led off the inning with a single up the middle, followed by a base hit by Matt Forer to give the Royals two early base runners. Vanderlaan retired the next two batters via fly out and strikeout, however a costly error on a popup by Brad Hill would keep the inning alive, as Carrera would come around to score on the error to inch the Royals closer. Joe Ferreira would capitalize by singling in two more runs bringing the Royals within one run of tying the game. Vanderlaan would bear down and retire Speciale on a flyout to end the inning.

 

Moving to the bottom of the ninth inning, with the A's up 8-7, the Royals would come to bat looking to continue their hot hitting. However Vanderlaan would end any hopes of a comeback as he struck out the first two hitters of the inning, then retired the third batter on a 4-3 putout to end the game and record the win.

 

It was a hard fought battle by both teams, as the game went back and forth. The A's offense came alive, putting together 17 hits on the night. Robertson pitched well in his start, limiting the hard hitting offense to four runs (two earned) on eight hits. Vanderlaan was great in relief, allowing three runs (zero earned) on three hits, while striking out three to earn the win.

 

Some notable offensive performances included:

Zack Dickson: 3-for-5 with a triple, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Julian Richards: 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Michael Modestino: 3-for-5

Matt Reagan: 3-for-5 with a run scored.

 

It was a great team win to move the A's to 8-12 on the season, good enough for second in the Johnson Division behind leading Niagara.

 

Next up for Oakville is a 1:30 pm start Saturday in Milton, as they look to keep the momentum going.

 

Go A's!