When a team is on a losing streak -- as these Toronto Maple Leafs were -- sometimes the best tonic is to run up against the worst team in the league -- as these Burlington Bandits are. A beating ensues and the losing streak ends.
It was a mostly cloudy day at Christie Pits, and it had been a mostly lousy week for the Leafs. It started last Sunday when a great start by Evan Wolf was squandered and they lost at home to Guelph. That was followed by two losses on the road in London and Brantford that saw Toronto dip below .500. The grip they've held on fourth place for most of the season was in jeopardy at the start of the day.
With flowing locks and nonchalance, Wolf took the mound today for the home side and delivered another great start. Over 7.2 innings he shackled the Bandits, giving up six hits while striking out four and walking just one. Most importantly, the Bandits stranded 10 runners on base and failed to score a run.
The Leafs managed only six hits too, but they made them count -- especially third baseman Sean Mattson, who mashed a three-run home run in the 2nd inning. It was Mattson's fourth round-tripper of the season and proved to be the game-winning hit.
Five other Leafs notched a hit on the day, and three more runs were added late in the game for an easy 6-0 final score and a well-deserved win for Wolf.
Game Recap:
It was Evan Wolf on the mound for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they hosted the Burlington Bandits. Wolf pitched a scoreless 1st inning, as did Jack Dennis for the visitors.
In the bottom of the 2nd, DH Tyler Mitchell drew a walk and second baseman Jalen Harris singled. Third baseman Sean Mattson mashed a 1-0 offering from Dennis over the fence for three runs and lots of love from the masses on the Christie hillside.
The Leafs added a run in the bottom of the 6th. Right fielder Jon Waltenbury was hit by a pitch from Dennis, then moved to third on a double by left fielder Raul Borjas. First baseman Damon Topolie singled to score Waltenbury and it was 4-0 Leafs.
Wolf cruised through 7.2 innings, giving up six hits and a walk but keeping the Bandits off the scoreboard. Burlington stranded baserunners in each of those innings, and stranded a total of 10 on the day.
The Leafs added two more runs in the bottom of the 8th. Waltenbury singled, stole second, stole third, then scored on a wild pitch by Burlington reliever C.J. Machete. Pinch hitting for Borjas, Justin Gianfrancesco walked, moved to second on the wild pitch that scored Waltenbury, moved to third on a groundout by Topolie, then scored on an error by Burlington catcher Robert Tavone. Tavone's throw to second on a base-stealing attempt by DH Tyler Mitchell (who had walked after Topolie's at bat) ended up in centerfield and Gianfrancesco trotted home easily.
That made it 6-0 Leafs and that was how the game ended, as Jake Hines and Christian Botnick combined over the final 1.1 innings to seal the win for Wolf.
Burlington 0-6-1
Toronto 6-6-3
W - Wolf (2-0)
L - Dennis (1-2)
BOXSCORE
With two-thirds of the season in the books, the Maple Leafs are back at .500 with a 12-12 record. It's good for fourth place, 8 games behind the Barrie Baycats. The Leafs will welcome the Baycats to Christie Pits next, on Wednesday, July 9.
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