Dan Marra knocked one out and Marek Deska knocked 'em down as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Hamilton Cardinals 12-4 at Bernie Arbour Stadium last night.
It was a sunny evening on the mountain. I cruised into town early and circled around the sports complex where the Cardinals play. Unlike the stereotypical image of industrial Hamilton, Bernie Arbour is surrounded by quiet, leafy neighbourhoods.
Inside the park, the large menu board displays vast offerings including poutine. Freakin poutine! I scarfed down a container before the game. Some regulars gathered in the stands around me, chatting easy with each other before the game started.
Once under way, the Leafs roared out to an early lead and never looked back. They banged three hits and four runs off of starter Tomas Rincon in the 1st inning, including a two-run homer by Marra (above, being welcomed at home).
The regulars moaned.
"Can't we ever get through the first without giving up runs?" one pleaded quietly.
It's been a rough season for Hamilton. It started with a terrible injury that befell starter Zack Ranta in the season opener, ending his year. Since then, the Cards have spent most of the time down in 7th place. If they hold on to that spot, they will qualify for the post-season, but they will start on the road in the one-game playoff.
4-0 after the 1st, 6-0 after the 3rd, 12-0 after the 5th. Thuds of frustration sounded from the home dugout as Deska sailed along, striking out seven on the night.
It was the Leafs' second visit to Steeltown in as many weeks. The last time out, Deska pitched a complete game shutout.
Deska matches up well against these Redbirds. In three starts against Hamilton this season, he has put up an impressive line:
IP 22, H 11, R 1, ER 0, BB 2, K 18.
Pwned! And good for three wins.
On the offensive side, Marra led the way with 4 RBIs. He was joined in the demolition by Glenn Jackson (3 hits, 2 runs, 1 stolen base and 1 RBI), Jon Waltenbury (2 hits including a rampaging triple, 3 runs and 2 RBIs), Raul Borjas (1 hit, 1 run and 2 RBIs), Darryl Pui (1 hit and 2 runs) and Grant Tamane (1 hit and 2 RBIs).
As the regular season begins to wind down, the Leafs find themselves in close with the Kitchener Panthers and Brantford Red Sox. They are 4-5-6 in the standings and separated by just a half-game. All three clubs will be eager to avoid finishing in the 6-spot and the one-game playoff of death.
Every win is crucial now, and the Leafs have another opportunity to win this afternoon in Burlington.
Game Recap:
Marek Deska returned to the scene of his complete game shut out two weeks ago, in Hamilton against the Cardinals.
The Toronto Maple Leafs faced starter Tomas Rincon and jumped on him immediately. Centerfielder Glenn Jackson led off with a first-pitch single. DH Darryl Pui followed with a walk. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, and scored on a single by rightfielder Jon Waltenbury. Shortstop Dan Marra then followed with his first home run of the season, a shot over the left field fence that made it 4-0 Leafs.
The Leafs added two more runs in the 3rd. Waltenbury led off with a triple, sliding hard into third. Leftfielder Raul Borjas was up next, and he singled to score Waltenbury. First baseman Damon Topolie doubled, and Borjas moved to third on the play. A single by second baseman Grant Tamane brought Borjas home for a 6-0 lead.
The Leafs put the game away for good in the 5th, sending 11 men to the plate to face reliever Kyle Adoranti, and scoring six more runs. Adoranti walked the bases loaded at the first opportunity, as Marra, Topolie and third baseman Sean Mattson all got free passes. A sac fly by Tamane scored Marra. A single by Jackson scored Topolie. A single by Pui scored Mattson. Waltenbury walked to load the bases again, and Borjas drew another walk that allowed Jackson to trot home. Marra returned to the plate and singled to score both Waltenbury and Borjas, making it 12-0 Leafs after the 5th.
Deska meanwhile cruised through 7 innings, giving up just 3 hits and a walk while striking out seven.
Leafs closer Justin Cicatello pitched the final two innings of the game, and as per tradition, the closer got knocked around in a non-save situation. Cicatello gave up 4 hits and 4 runs over the final two innings, but the Cards could not complete an epic comeback and fell 12-4.
Toronto 12-11-0
Hamilton 4-7-0
W - Deska (5-3)
L - Rincon (0-4)
BOXSCORE
The Maple Leafs are back at .500 with a 13-13 record. They remain in 5th place, 9 games behind the Barrie Baycats. Their next game is this afternoon at the Burlington Bandits.
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