The Rangers lost their 2018 unbeaten streak at home on Friday night with a loss to the Brampton Royals. Brampton scored early and often to cruise to a 9-3 road win. 

The Rangers started veteran right hander Andrew Hyde who pitched the first two scoreless before running into some trouble in the third inning. The Royals loaded the bases in the third on three consecutive infield singles to bring up Marco DiRoma who missed hitting a grand slam as the ball curled just foul. DiRoma would hit a sac fly in the at bat to score one, and with two outs Murphy hit a two run double. Hyde would stop the inning there and pitch a clean 4th to end his day and turn the ball over to Brendan Lyons. Lyons was touched for two runs in the 5th, another pair in the 6th before settling down for a clean 7th. Mike Asta pitched the 8th and 9th, and the Royal attack didn't hold back as they added another run in each of the 8th and 9th innings. 

Brampton started Burke who rolled through the Ranger lineup through for 6 innings before giving up a pair of runs in the 7th highlighted by a two RBI single by DH Pat Thompson. Rangers would add one more in the 8th as 2B Mark Capone's double was scored by RF Brandon Costa's double with two outs, on Costa's birthday no less. Burke completed the complete game 9-inning performance giving up only 3 runs on 8 hits and two walks. 

With the loss, the Rangers lose their second game in a row, the first at home and slide to 18-3 in league play. Next action Saturday in Niagara for a double header.