V-Necks Vanquished, Season Ends

Wild Card Elimination Playoff Game: Hamilton Cardinals @ Toronto Maple Leafs - July 31, 2014

This infernal life.

When the IBL's new, evil, one-game wild card elimination playoff got bumped to the Thursday of this week, I almost had a one-man riot.  There was a prior commitment that I couldn't get out of, so I missed last night's game at Christie Pits.

As major league fans in Texas, Cleveland, Atlanta and Cincinnati will attest, losing a one-game playoff is brutal. 

It's a long season, even a short one.  You follow a club through its ups and downs, from one series to the next, and seeing your local nine play in a post-season series is what you look forward to the most.

But the one-game "play-in" format means that the entire season can come down to one bad start, one missed play, one blown call... and the guillotine comes down with sudden ferocity.

As the clock ticked past 7:30 and the Toronto Maple Leafs took to the field to face the Hamilton Cardinals, I started sneaking peeks at my phone.  Probably the least enjoyable way to follow a game.

4-0 Hamilton.  HORROR.

5-1 Hamilton.  ANGUISH.

5-2 Hamilton.  SURGE.

5-4 Hamilton.  WIRED.

5-4 final, Maple Leafs eliminated.  DEVASTATION.

Based on the boxscore, the Cardinals jumped to an early lead, the Leafs battled back, but the Cards held on to win it by one run.

Starter Marek Deska gave up 5 runs in 4 innings and got tagged with the loss.  Justins Lawrence and Cicatello combined to pitch 5 scoreless innings as the Leafs mounted a comeback.

Damon Topolie got the Leafs on the board in the bottom of the 2nd with a solo home run.

Topolie drove in another run in the 6th, scoring Dan Marra, who had reached base ahead of him.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th, Raul Borjas hit a 2-RBI single that brought the Leafs to within one run of Hamilton.

Hamilton's starting third baseman Johnathan Solazzo came in to pitch the 9th, and he set the Leafs down in order, earning a save for himself as the Cardinals won and the Leafs season crashed to a sudden end.


Hamilton 5-11-0
Toronto 4-9-1

W - van Pelt (1-0)
L - Deska (0-1)
S - Solazzo (1)

BOXSCORE


Congratulations to the Hamilton Cardinals, well played, we wish you well, etc etc.

Thank you to the Toronto Maple Leafs, for all the ups and downs, heroics and antics.  See you next year?

The Stuff That Makes IBL Junkies Of Us All

Game 20 (rescheduled rainout): Barrie Baycats @ Toronto Maple Leafs - July 28, 2014

It was the last game of the regular season, a rescheduled rainout that was more or less meaningless to the IBL standings.

At Christie Pits, there was a "last day of school" feel.  Some regulars were rested or absent.  The starting pitchers either weren't normally starters (Christian Botnick for the Toronto Maple Leafs) or hadn't started in weeks and won't figure for the post-season (Brodie Harkness for the Barrie Baycats).

Both starters got rocked in the 1st inning.  It was all downhill from there, as the Leafs and Baycats traded roundhouse blows in a wild and wooly 19-10 game with Barrie coming out on top.

Once things got out of hand and the score started resembling a football game, the Christie Mystique took over and treated everyone present to some unlikely scenes.  You had to be there.

In the bottom of the 1st (yeah, things were already getting out of hand), Dan Marra hit a ground ball that looked like a sure double play.  Jon Waltenbury ran from first, did an interpretive dance all the way around an infielder's tag, and flopped on the bag at second -- safe!  According to Barrie manager Angus Roy, Waltenbury had danced all the way into the outfield, but a conference of umpires did not agree, much to his disgust.

Soon after that, something that everyone has been dreading finally happened.  A foul ball hit one of the women in the yoga-exercise class that takes place right around the field of play at Christie Pits.  (Who thinks that's a good idea by the way??)  The woman was lying on her back either resting or stretching, when a ball was popped up over the third base side, cleared the side fence, and it struck her on the leg.  The first person at her side was Heads Up On The Hill.  He ran to her like a valiant knight of olden days.  Fantastic chivalry.  He remained with her as she stayed on the ground for a while, but eventually she got tended to by some of her exercise classmates and was okay.

Jordan Castaldo -- who was traded away by the Toronto Maple Leafs -- reminded everyone at the ballpark that his mission in life is to demolish the Toronto Maple Leafs at every opportunity. 

I happened to be standing by the flagpoles behind the centerfield fence when Castaldo came up to bat in the top of the 4th inning.  He took ball one from reliever Christian Botter, then decimated the next pitch.  High and deep would put it mildly, as the ball got carried on the gusting winds that were blowing out.  The ball sailed over Glenn Jackson in centre, it sailed over the fence, it even sailed over me, landing with a thud on the clubhouse roof -- a feat that is seldom seen at Christie Pits.

Castaldo followed up his monster blast with a grand slam in the next inning.  By that point, the game was a home run derby.  The wind kept blowing out and everyone started swinging for the fences.  Five home runs would be hit on the night.

But wait there's more!  As the game wore on and both clubs ran up crazy scorelines, night fell over the park and the wind settled down.  A deep, ominous buzzing sound rose up.  People glanced around.  It was extremely loud and close.  Glowing lights suddenly appeared behind the outfield, moving fast.  A U.S. military drone?  A killer dragonfly?  It was a bunch of teenagers taking their wicked awesome remote control mini-helicopter for a spin. 

The game went on while the copter whizzed around in the darkness.  Barrie's bullpen was captivated.  Eventually, someone went over to the kids.  A few minutes later, while the Baycats were playing the field, the copter flew in low and close, buzzing the Baycats outfielders and annoying the umpires.  It vanished soon after that.

After all that, with some people giddy from it all and others just wanting to go home, Glenn Jackson (above) trotted out to the mound at the top of the 9th inning.  He had asked to pitch, and the request was granted.  And so the lasting image of the game was created.  Glenn Jackson the southpaw, winding up and hurling with fury, unleashing tennis-decibel grunts with each pitch.  After striking out Castaldo -- Jordan Castaldo the Destroyer -- Jackson's fist-pumping intensity was off the charts.  Hell yes!

Toronto may have a new weapon for the post-season.

Games like this one -- this is the stuff that makes IBL junkies of us all.


Barrie 19-22-2
Toronto 10-15-3

W - Harkness (5-1) 
L - Botnick (0-1)
S - Sutton (1) Yes!  A classic 3-inning save!

BOXSCORE


And to the post season we go.  It looks like Toronto will host the Hamilton Cardinals in the one game playoff of doom.  Date to be determined.

The Fatal Swing

Game 36: London Majors @ Toronto Maple Leafs - July 27, 2014

On the same day Frank Thomas was inducted into the baseball hall of fame, his London Majors lookalike Cleveland Brownlee brought a big hurt to Toronto with one swing of the bat.

In the 10th inning of a sweltering afternoon at Christie Pits, Brownlee hit a Justin Lawrence pitch just over the left field fence, beyond the reach of Jon Waltenbury.  Brownlee's home run put London ahead for good, 5-3.

Brownlee's blast was not only the game winner, but it condemned the Toronto Maple Leafs to their first losing season in decades*.  As well, it all but guaranteed the Leafs a place in the one-game playoff of doom, to determine the final berth in the 2014 IBL post season.

So many repercussions from one swing of the bat.  On top of it all, Brownlee appeared to have injured himself on the swing.  It may have been a hamstring pull or twisted ankle, as Brownlee was unable to circle the bases any faster than an unhurried jog.  Some players on the Toronto bench noticed, and gave him shouts of an "are you hurt? get well soon!" nature.  Unwritten rules.

Before that scene unfolded, the Majors risked becoming the latest team to fall victim to a Christie walk-off.  After dominating the Leafs over 7 innings, London starter Carlos Martinez fell apart to start the 8th and the Leafs stormed back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game.  As it went to extras it looked like the home nine might grind out a win, but Brownlee's shot put the Majors ahead for good.

And so ended Game 36 of a 36-game season.  The Leafs still have one more to play -- a rescheduled rainout against the Barrie Baycats which looks to be a meaningless game before the post-season commences.

* May be wildly incorrect on that one.


Game Recap:

On an afternoon that began with threats of rain, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the London Majors at Christie Pits.  The rain never materialized, and for a while neither did Toronto's offence.

Starters Evan Wolf and Carlos Martinez put goose eggs on the board for the first three innings.  Wolf gave up just one hit over that span, and Martinez gave up two.

London rightfielder Paul Young led off the top of the 4th with a walk and a stolen base.  He advanced to third on the play, following an errant throw by catcher Tony Alvarez.  A single by first baseman Cleveland Brownlee scored Young and the Majors were on the board first, 1-0.

A walk to third baseman Phil Delisle got things going for London in the top of the 5th.  Delisle moved to second on a groundout, then scored on a single by second baseman Cody Mombourquette.  2-0 Majors after the 5th inning.

The game remained close into the 7th, when London scored again.  Delisle singled, then moved to second on a pickoff throw that eluded first baseman Damon Topolie.  Delisle scored on a double by shortstop Paul Lytwynec that made it 3-0 for the visitors after 7 innings.

Martinez returned to the mound to start the 8th inning, having given up just three hits to Toronto all afternoon.  But the 8th would be his undoing as he walked the first two batters he faced, centerfielder Glenn Jackson and shortstop Dan Marra.  A single by left fielder Jon Waltenbury scored Jackson and ended Martinez's day.  He was relieved by Luke Melymick, who loaded the bases by hitting DH Raul Borjas with a pitch.  He then walked Topolie in five pitches to bring Marra home with another run.  The next man up, third baseman Sean Mattson, was hit by a pitch.  That advanced all runners, scored Waltenbury, and tied the game at 3 apiece.

A scoreless 9th inning led to extras.  Wolf had been relieved by Adam Garner in the 7th, and Garner was replaced by Justin Lawrence in the 9th.  Lawrence went back out for the 10th.  He walked centerfielder Sean Refflinghaus to start the inning, but a double play quickly put two outs on the board.  Leftfielder Paul LaMantia singled next, and then Brownlee hit one just over the left field fence -- a two-run homer that put London back ahead, 5-3.

The Leafs could muster no more than a walk in the bottom of the 10th, as Brett Sabourin kept them off the board and nailed down the 5-3 win for London.


London 5-9-0
Toronto 3-4-4

W - Sabourin (4-2)
L - Lawrence (3-5)

BOXSCORE


The Maple Leafs are now 16-19 and in 6th place, 13.5 games behind the Barrie Baycats.  These two teams will meet next at Christie Pits, tomorrow night, July 28.  It is a rescheduled rainout from earlier in the season.

The Four Horsemen Fall Short in Barrie

Game 35: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Barrie Baycats - July 24, 2014

The Toronto Maple Leafs' bullpen was called into early action tonight at Schmidt & Shaw Stadium in Barrie. 

Starter Marek Deska was a scratch due to reported inflammation, so a quartet of pitchers took to the mound on his behalf: Christian Botnick, Jake Hines, Christian Botter and Justin Cicatello.

Over nine innings, the four horsemen battled their Baycat opposites to a near-draw.  But there are no draws in baseball, except in the flawed thought processes of Bud Selig.  In the end the two clubs' pitching lines looked like this:

Toronto 8 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 6 BB, 3 K
Barrie 9 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 K

Barrie eked out one run more than Toronto and won the game 5-4.


Toronto 4-9-1
Barrie 5-9-2

W - Lawson (4-2)
L - Hines (0-2)
S - Nagorski (3)

BOXSCORE


The Maple Leafs are now 16-18 and stuck in 6th place, a game behind both Brantford and Guelph.  Their next game is home at Christie Pits against the London Majors on Sunday, July 27.

Leafs Bring the Will to Power

Game 34: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Guelph Royals - July 22, 2014

The Toronto Maple Leafs brought the Will to Power to Hastings Stadium in Guelph last night -- the perfect time to face a Royals team that is trapped in a late-season swoon.

Full of dip and gas, the Leafs’ army of Nietzschean supermen took control early, extended their lead and held off a late surge for a 5-3 win. The final score may seem close, but the win never appeared in doubt.

Four pitchers combined to hold the Royals at bay: starter Jaspreet Shergill, Adam Garner, Christian Botnick and Justin Lawrence. They combined to give up a total of 9 hits and 3 runs while striking out seven.

Sean Mattson flashed both wood and wheels, churning out two triples and coming in to score after each one.  He also drove in a run.

Darryl Pui returned from a brief absence and got two hits on the night, while driving in one run. The other two Toronto RBIs came from Dan Marra and Jon Waltenbury.

It was one of those games where the Leafs executed when necessary, and worked their way out of jams – as evidenced by the 15 stranded baserunners that Guelph left on the field.

With less than a week remaining in the IBL regular season, Barrie and London have locked up the first two places in the standings.  Everything else is still in play. Only a few games are left for the remaining clubs to sort out the 3rd to 8th places. Six clubs are careening towards a violent and terrifying conclusion to the regular season, which is sure to end with the spilling of tears and protein powder before it’s all said and done.


Game Recap:

On a hot night in Guelph (and really, when isn’t a night in Guelph hot?), Gavin Free and Jaspreet Shergill took to the mound at Hastings Stadium.

Free pitched a 1-2-3 1st inning, but the Royals rapped a couple of singles and drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Shergill got out of it on a flyball and there was no score after one.

The Royals loaded the bases again in the 2nd inning, and another flyout got Shergill out of trouble.

Centerfielder Glenn Jackson singled for Toronto to start the 3rd inning, moved to second on a groundout by second baseman Grant Tamane, and scored on a double off the bat of shortstop Dan Marra. With leftfielder Jalen Harris up next, Marra stole third. Harris was walked, and rightfielder Jon Waltenbury was up next. He hit a sac fly to centerfield that allowed Marra to trot home and it was 2-0 Leafs.

Shergill continued to cruise along, stranding four more Royals baserunners through the 5th inning.

Waltenbury led off the top of the 6th with a walk, then moved to second on a putout by first baseman Damon Topolie. Third baseman Sean Mattson was the first batter to face Jason Martyn, who came on in relief of Free. Mattson whacked a triple that allowed Waltenbury to score. DH Darryl Pui then crushed a ground rule double that bounced over the fence in right field and Mattson scored to double the Leafs’ lead at 4-0.

Adam Garner pitched the 6th and 7th innings for Toronto. He gave up a solo home run to first baseman Justin Interisano in the 7th that made it 4-1 Leafs after seven innings, but that was all.

Both teams added a run in the 8th. Mattson led off with another pulse-pounding triple, then dashed home on a wild pitch from Martyn. Christian Botnick came on to pitch the bottom of the 8th for Toronto. He hit right fielder Brian Doran with a pitch, then gave up a single to pinch hitter Matt Forer. Centerfielder Tino Silvestri followed with a single that allowed Doran to come all the way home and it was 5-2 Leafs. The Royals managed to load the bases again, but Justin Lawrence came in and got second baseman Josh Garton to hit a popup to Marra and strand all three baserunners again.

Lawrence returned to the mound for the bottom of the 9th. He gave up another solo homer to Interisano (which travelled about two fields over). After that, Lawrence hunkered down and got the three outs he needed for the save and the 5-3 Toronto victory.


Toronto 5-7-2
Guelph 3-9-1

W - Shergill (2-3)
L – Free (4-4)
S - Lawrence (1)

BOXSCORE


The Maple Leafs are now 16-17 and part of a four-team logjam to sort out 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place before this year's playoffs.  Kitchener, Brantford, Guelph and Toronto are all separated by a single game in the standings.  Toronto's next game is in Barrie to face the Baycats on Thursday, July 24.

Leafs Lose Under Grey Skies

Game 33: Burlington Bandits @ Toronto Maple Leafs - July 20, 2014

A sticky afternoon at Christie Pits saw things get stickier for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as their season-long rollercoaster ride continues to take them to strange, unexpected places.

Instead of romping over the cellar dwelling Burlington Bandits, they fell behind -- way behind -- and were unable to battle back today.  

Weird scenes under grey skies.  Glenn Jackson (above) got hit by a pitch three times.  Tarun Malik, the 5th(?) catcher on the roster got in the lineup as DH.  Evan Wolf pitched his usual solid start, but things got out of hand in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings as the Bandits took an 8-0 lead.  The Leafs began to mount another amazing comeback, but ran out of outs.  The skies finally opened up during the 9th inning and the Bandits made off in the rain with a 9-5 win.
 
The Leafs just didn't have a third walk-off win in them this week.  Today's loss sees them slip deeper into 6th place in the IBL standings.

Their last 10 games have yielded the following results: L-W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L-L.  Unless the Leafs can go on a tear in their final four games, they risk landing a spot in the one-game playoff of doom (maybe I should stop calling it that). 

As for these Bandits, they find themselves just two games back from landing the other spot in that game.  With five games left to play, the Burlingtonians just might pull it off.


Game Recap:

Under grey skies at Christie Pits, The Burlington Bandits wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.  After a leadoff out, starter Evan Wolf gave up three straight singles to DH Jeff MacLeod, second baseman Robert Tavone and first baseman David Marcus.  Catcher Tyler Hardie was the next man up, and his grounder was misplayed by Dan Marra, allowing MacLeod to score.  1-0 Bandits after one.

Both starters -- Wolf for Toronto and Rich Corrente for Burlington -- cruised through the next three innings and the game moved fast.

In the top of the 5th, the Bandits got to Wolf.  Shortstop Tyler Fata drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by right fielder Dan Franceschetti.  A bunt attempt by centerfielder Peter Bako was thrown wide of first by Wolf.  The ball rolled into shallow right field and by the time second baseman Tyler Mitchell tracked it down, Fata and Franceschetti had scored.  MacLeod followed with a single, and another single by Tavone scored Bako.  A double by Hardie scored MacLeod and the Bandits were off to a 5-0 lead after the 5th.

The Bandits scored again in the 6th.  Fata doubled and moved to third on a putout by Franceschetti, then Bako drove him in with a sac fly.  6-0 Bandits after the 6th.

The Bandits struck again in the 7th.  Solo home runs by first baseman David Marcus and Hardie knocked Wolf out of the game and gave Burlington an 8-0 lead.

The comeback was on in the bottom of the 7th.  Left fielder Jalen Harris led off with a walk, then DH Tarun Malik singled.  Centerfielder Glenn Jackson was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Mitchell then hit a single to score Harris.  Right fielder Jon Waltenbury followed that with a single that scored Malik and Jackson and it was 8-3 Burlington after the 7th.

The Bandits added a run in the top of the 8th.  Fata doubled off of reliever Christian Botnick, then came home on a single by Franceschetti.  9-3 Bandits.

In the bottom of the 8th, first baseman Damon Topolie singled off reliever Kyle Bolton.  The next two batters were retired, then catcher Tony Alvarez banged his 4th home run of the season over the left field fence.  9-5 Bandits after the 8th.

Dylan Perego came in to pitch the 9th for Burlington, and the Leafs were unable to score any more.  Burlington wrapped up the 9-5 win as the rain that held off all afternoon finally came down.


Burlington 9-15-0
Toronto 5-8-2

W - Corrente (1-4)
L - Wolf (2-1)

BOXSCORE


The Maple Leafs are now 15-17 and down to 6th place, 11.5 games behind the Barrie Baycats.  Their next game is on the road against the Guelph Royals on Tuesday, July 22.