The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off the 2014 IBL season by taking advantage of sloppy pitching and by unleashing a new Bash Brothers combo on the visiting Burlington Bandits for an opening day win at Christie Pits.
Glenn Jackson picked up right where he left off, leading the Leafs' assault with three hits including a two-run home run in the 6th inning. Sean Mattson followed with a blast of his own in the same inning to put the game out of reach.
Toronto had to rely on six different pitchers to nail down the win when starter Marek Deska left the game early due to injury.
The final score today was 8-3 for the home side.
The outfield flags were snapping violently this blustery afternoon. Funny thing about the wind. Early in the game, Jackson remarked that it was killing everything, making a home run derby unlikely on this day.
While Jackson would prove himself wrong later, the wind may have been a factor in what turned out to be a sloppy game for both sides. Each team coughed up 4 errors, and Burlington pitchers surrendered 8 walks - twice as many as Toronto.
The cool weather made for a modest crowd. After the traditional opening day ceremonies, the home nine took to the field wearing their classic navy V-necks.
Marek Deska was the starter and he cruised through the first inning, striking out two.
The Leafs were quick to pounce on Bandits starter Jason Rubenstein. Centerfielder Jackson led off with a single. Rubenstein responded by walking the next three batters, scoring Jackson. The Bandits fielders shuffled around at their places, anxiously. Catcher Tony Alvarez then hit into a double play that scored another run and it was 2-0 after one inning.
Deska faced only one more batter, rightfielder Brian Sewell, who hit a comebacker that struck the Leafs starter. Sewell was safe at first. The Leafs gathered around their hurler, who remained on his feet rather than crumpling to the ground. Strong like bull. After conferring with the coach, Deska walked off the field and watched the rest of the game from the bench.
With no outs in the top of the second inning, Adam Garner essentially became an emergency starter. Without much of a chance to get settled in, Garner was tagged on his third pitch for a home run by former Maple Leaf Tyler Fata. The game was tied 2-2. After this initial blip, Garner would get through the 2nd, 3rd and 4th without any more damage.
Rubenstein's day would end in the 4th. After giving up a walk to 1B-Manager Damon Topolie and hitting shortstop Tyler Mitchell with a pitch, he was relieved by Jeremy MacDonald. An error by Fata at second base loaded em up. Second baseman Dan Marra drew a walk to score Topolie. Fata then committed his second error of the frame, allowing two more runs to score. After four, the Leafs were back ahead 5-2.
James Trebus relieved Garner and pitched two scoreless innings for the Leafs.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Leafs put the game away for good. Evan DiMichele was on the mound for the Bandits, and he gave up the home runs to Jackson and Mattson, making it 8-2 Leafs after six.
Justin Lawrence came on to pitch the top of the 7th. A couple of errors by Mitchell at short allowed a run to come in, making it 8-3.
That would be all for the Bandits. Jake Hines and Justin Cicatello pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th respectively to secure the opening day winner for Toronto.
Burlington 3-4-4
Toronto 8-6-4
W - Garner (1-0)
L - Rubenstein (0-1)
The Maple Leafs are 1-0 to start the season. Their next game is back at Christie Pits on May 11 against the Kitchener Panthers and their bigtime off-season acquisition - 2013 IBL home run champion and single-season home run king, Sean Reilly.
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