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.
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