Brantford again!
The Maple Leafs played their fourth game of the season against the Red Sox last night, despite not having played the Hamilton Cardinals even once yet. Calls to the IBL offices in Galt seeking explanation for this wonky lopsided schedule were not immediately returned.
Anyway, this one-sided series continued with a 10-5 win for the Red Sox, on a night of blustery breezes and dropping temperatures.
This was my second trip to Brantford's Arnold Anderson Stadium, a cutesy little ballpark with charm. Tall trees loom over the fence in center and right, dwarfing the outfielders there. In left, there is a chain-link fence raised double-high to protect the neighbouring backyards on the other side. It's a family atmosphere throughout, and they play "Sweet Caroline," naturally.
I had wondered what the local fans would be like, since Brantford is home to the five-in-a-row, six-out-of-seven league champions. This is a big deal for a small city. Has all the success coloured their attitudes? Would everyone be smug and arrogant, or calm and relaxed about it?
It's a bit of a mix. The previous game on May 25th, I sat on the Brantford side of the bleacher-style benches that wrap around the infield baselines. Folks were friendly and upbeat, and I bantered with some fans. Lovely people.
Last night, the other, darker side of Brantford's baseball psychology surfaced.
This time, I was sat on the Toronto side of the infield benches, shivering with a handful of Leafs boosters. Midway through the game, with the Red Sox comfortably ahead, some oldtimer came shuffling over. He stood by the fence, quietly watching the game for a few minutes. Then, not to anyone in particular, but within earshot of those nearby, he suddenly started waxing lyrical about the Brantford Red Sox. Great club! - Best organization in the league! - They treat their players the best! - etc etc. Here was arrogance on full display. Was he trying to goad someone into a fight?
No one moved, but one man among us took umbrage. He turned to the oldtimer and replied that the local club succeeds by padding its roster.
"Look at their dugout," the critic said. "They got nine guys on the field and 14 guys on the bench."
Heads turned in unison. Sure enough, there were about a dozen uniformed Red Sox sitting there. The Toronto bench had half that many.
"I'd rather play on a losing team every game than play three innings once in a while. 11-1... 23-2... that's bullshit," the critic said, referring to Brantford's tendency to run up softball scores against opposing clubs.
"It's never enough," another critic joined in.
It was a devastating assault. The old man shuffled away without a word.
Had our man spoken truth to power? I don't know. I don't know anything about how this league operates, or what kinds of financial frameworks or roster rules are placed on teams. It was an interesting exchange, but it could have just been two old guys jawing. It livened up a quiet night.
It was a very quiet night, actually. There was plenty of action on the field and the Maple Leafs battled to the end, but the cold temperatures discouraged people from hanging around. By game's end, most of the park had emptied out.
Recap:
Maple Leafs centerfielder Glenn Jackson got the game off to a flying start against Red Sox starter Jamie Richmond. Richmond had come within one out of throwing a no-hitter against the Guelph Royals in his previous start. Jackson would have none of that, and beat out a grounder for a single. Rightfielder Jordan Castaldo drove him in for a quick 1-0 lead.
The lead, it was quick. And gone just as quick. The Red Sox responded in the bottom of the 1st with three runs on two hits, three walks, and an error. Red Sox shortstop Lee Delfino drove in the first run with a screaming double off the Chain-Link Monster in left. Delfino came home on a grounder by third baseman Tyler Patzalek that got past Leafs shortstop Cody Mombourquette. This left the bases loaded, and Brantford catcher Wayne Forman drew a walk that made the score 3-1 for the hosts after one inning.
The Red Sox scored one more run in each of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings, driving Leafs starter Clay Caulfield out of the game under a 6-1 score. He was relieved by Jas Shergill, who provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless pitching and a pre-windup shoulder flinch that captivated everyone in the stands. Everyone loves a pitcher with a quirky move.
The Leafs had their own spell of one-run innings in the 4th, 5th and 6th.
It was Castaldo who walked and stole second to start the 4th. He moved to third on a groundball out by leftfielder Raul Borjas, and came home on a groundball out by DH Kevin Hinton.
In the 5th, Jackson tripled and was singled home by Mombourquette, who continues among the league's batting leaders with a .444 average.
Leafs second baseman Rob Gillis drove in another run in the 6th to make it a 6-4 ballgame, but that was as close as the Leafs would get.
Brantford rightfielder Steve Lewis singled to start the bottom of the 7th, stole second and third, then raced home on a wild pitch by Justin Cicatello, who had come in to replace Shergill. First baseman Scott Thorman then doubled and came home on a single by Delfino. 8-4 Red Sox after 7 innings.
Lewis and leftfielder Josh McCurdy each hit RBI singles off Cicatello in the 8th that raised the score to 10-4.
In the 9th inning, the Leafs got something going, but by then the lead was out of reach. It was Jackson again who led off with a single - his third hit of the night. Mombourquette and Castaldo followed with singles to load the bases. Delfino misplayed a hit by Borjas for an error, and everyone else moved up a base. Jackson scored the fifth and final run for the visitors, and the game ended 10-5.
The Maple Leafs are now 4-7, 6 games behind the league leading Red Sox. Their next game is in London on June 7, against the London Majors.
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