The Toronto Maple Leafs spoiled Fan Appreciation Night at Nelson Park in Burlington, laying waste to the hometown Bandits with a dominant 12-5 victory.
The Bandits might be glad to see the last of Toronto and its carnival of home run hitters for this season. The Two Seans - Reilly and Mattson - each knocked one out, and Branfy Arias added a dinger of his own in the 9th to help put this game out of reach.
Reilly's home run gives him 16 on the season, one short of tying the IBL single-season record.
On the mound, Troy Marks was simply excellent. Over 7 innings, he gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and a walk, while striking out 11.
It was a night where everything clicked, although the Bandits seemed to feel on the short end of most umpiring decisions, and they let their feelings be known with some jeering late in the game.
Still, Burlington is one of my favourite ballparks in the IBL. With its aromatic BBQ, bountiful beer tent, and patio umbrellas planted around the stands, the vibe is laid back. The thick jungle beyond the outfield fences adds to the tropical feel. They should pump out more Jimmy Buffett and ditch the hokey country music that reoccurs with nightmarish consistency at almost every park in the league.
Burlington, you're so close to being the Margaritaville of the IBL. Embrace it!
Recap:
The Toronto Maple Leafs brought Game to Burlington, as a slow sunset gave way to a mild evening at the Bandits' home ballpark.
Centerfielder Glenn Jackson led off the contest with a single, then moved to second on a walk to shortstop Branfy Arias. DH Sean Reilly lifted a single to the outfield, far enough for Jackson to beat a throw home. 1-0 Leafs after 1 inning.
On the mound, Troy Marks started by pitching three perfect innings and striking out six of the first nine batters he faced. Marks' dominance frustrated the Bandits' batters and set the tone for the game.
However, Marks' perfect streak got broken up and the Bandits jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the 4th inning. Singles by centerfielder Ryan Clarke and shortstop Phil Steer were followed by a double steal that put them on third and second respectively. A subsequent single by second baseman Jeff Kosta plated both men and the Bandits moved ahead. A two-run home run by leftfielder Dan Franceschetti suddenly made it 4-1 Bandits after the 4th.
The Leafs responded immediately in the top of the 5th. Leftfielder Steve Coates singled, then moved to third on a double by Jackson. A passed ball allowed Coates to run home, then a putout by Arias brought Jackson home. First baseman Jon Waltenbury walked, and then Reilly blasted a no doubter over the fence to put Toronto back ahead. The next batter up was third baseman Sean Mattson and he too launched a pitch by Burlington starter Kyle Bolton over the fence. Bolton's night was done. He was relieved by Jason Rubenstein, who got out of the inning, but the Leafs now led 6-4 after 5 innings.
The score remained 6-4 through 7 innings. In the 8th, Dylan Perego relieved Rubenstein, and Marks was relieved by Jas Shergill. Steer led off the bottom of the 8th with a high flyball to rightfield that Rob Gillis misplayed for an error. Steer ended up on second base, then moved to third on a groundout by Kosta. First baseman Connor Panas hit a shot that second baseman Dan Marra misplayed for an error, and Steer scored an unlikely run. It was 6-5 Leafs after 8 innings.
Any hopes of a walkoff victory were dashed by a 6-run eruption by the visitors in the top of the 9th inning. Arias led off with the third no-doubter home run of the night. In total, the Leafs would send 12 men to the plate and gather 5 hits, 3 walks and a hit batsman en route to doubling their lead to 12-5. Arias and Reilly were the big bats on the night, each getting three hits and three RBIs. Jackson also got three hits, on a night when every Toronto starter got at least one (they battered Burlington pitching for 16 hits in total).
The Bandits went quietly in the bottom of the 9th, and Shergill struckout two to nail down his save and Marks' win.
The Maple Leafs are now 17-20 and in fifth place, 13.5 games behind the Brantford Red Sox. Their first-round playoff opponent remains unknown. Their next game is August 2 at the Hamilton Cardinals.
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