Odd game, this one.
The Toronto Maple Leafs took to the field at Christie Pits this afternoon and roared out to a nice early lead against the Guelph Royals.
The Leafs started the game by hitting and running and stealing and most importantly they were scoring -- running up a 5-1 score after four innings.
Starter Marek Deska (above) limited the Royals to three hits over that span. He also made a fantastic defensive play in the 3rd -- catching a laser shot that was hit right back at him and doubling off a baserunner at first.
Everything was clicking. The game began under warm, sunny skies and sun worshippers sprawled all over the Christie hillside. The usual assortment of crazies was in full throat. Children and dogs frolicked, photographers clicked away merrily.
It looked like the home fans would be treated to a great afternoon and a comfy win. Down on the field, the Leafs were bossing it.
Everybody on board the monkey car!
...until WHAMMO. The car hit a wall.
In the top of the 5th, the Royals struck with the proverbial Big Inning. They tagged Deska for six runs and took the lead. The Leafs couldn't buy a run after that. The Royals seized control of the game and sealed an 8-5 win. Damme!
It all started so well. Jon Waltenbury returned to Christie Pits for his first home game since serving out a suspension to begin the season. In the first half of the game, he racked up a double, RBI and stolen base. In the second half of the game, he broke two bats, both for naught. It was that kind of day.
The last bit of flash shown by the Leafs came in the 7th inning. A grounder was hit back to the mound. One-handed relief pitcher Jake Hines gloved the ball, made a lightning-fast transfer, threw to second, and watched Jalen Harris and Damon Topolie turn a double play. Hines' play earned a round of applause, including from the Guelph bench.
Game Recap:
The Guelph Royals got on the board in the 1st inning of this game. Left fielder Bruce Yari singled and moved to third on a double by third baseman Shaun Valeriote. Yari scored when first baseman Josh Garton hit a fielder's choice and the Royals went up 1-0.
The Toronto Maple Leafs responded with two runs in the bottom of the 1st. Singles by centerfielder Glenn Jackson and second baseman Dan Marra were followed by a double by DH Jon Waltenbury. Jackson scored to tie the game. Marra scored next, on a ground out by third baseman Sean Mattson. 2-1 Leafs after one inning.
The Leafs added three runs in the bottom of the 4th. Left fielder Raul Borjas led off with a double, then came home on a single by first baseman Damon Topolie. A single by shortstop Jalen Harris and a fielder's choice by right fielder Justin Gianfrancesco moved Topolie to third. Topolie went on to score when third baseman Valeriote misplayed a hit by Jackson for an error. That put Harris on third and Jackson on first. Jackson promptly stole second base, then moved to third and Harris scored on a throwing error by catcher Justin Interisano. 5-1 Leafs after the 4th.
Starting pitcher Marek Deska cruised through the first four innings, giving up one run on three hits. The 5th inning was his undoing. He gave up three hits and a walk to plate one runner, hit a batter with the bases loaded to plate another, and gave up another hit that scored two more. Deska was relived by Christian Botnick, but Botnick gave up a hit that scored two more of Deska's baserunners. In all, Deska was tagged for 7 earned runs on the day.
Botnick was responsible for one more run -- scored on a sac fly off pitcher Cam Grey -- in the 6th inning.
After that, Guelph reliver Zach Pearson came in to relieve starter Bryan Boudreau. Pearson kept the Leafs from scoring and earned a three-inning save. The final score was 8-5 for the Royals.
Guelph 8-13-4
Toronto 5-13-2
W - Boudreau (1-0)
L - Deska (1-1)
S - Pearson (1)
BOXSCORE
The Maple Leafs are now 4-2 and in second place, 1.5 games behind the still-undefeated Barrie Baycats. Their next game is against the Kitchener Panthers on May 28 - the first night game at the Pits this season.
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