Red Sox win 5-4
I really didn't think today's IBL matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Brantford Red Sox at Arnold Anderson Stadium would happen.
The Environment Canada online forecast was more alarmist than usual this morning. It was saying dire things like: "Rain beginning this afternoon. Thunderstorms likely. Could be a tsunami. Don't say we didn't warn you! See you in hell, you fools!"
As it turned out, the Leafs faced sun, clouds, wind, rain, and a duststorm today (about to swallow Dan Zlotnick above).
The duststorm was a wild one, tearing through Cockshutt Park midway through the game. High winds suddenly assaulted the ballpark, whipping up clouds of flying dust.
Okay, the storm wasn't as insane as Mad Max: Fury Road, but it caused the game to be halted as everyone turned away and squinted for a few minutes. About half of an already sparse crowd made for the exit.
The much-threatened thunderstorm, however, never came. The Leafs beat the elements, but they ended up losing the game on a walkoff by the Sox.
This was a close-fought contest between two evenly-matched teams. Both starting pitchers -- Marek Deska for Toronto and Jamie Richmond for Brantford -- lasted at least six innings and were miserly in giving up runs. The Sox scratched out an early lead, but the Leafs scratched out a late comeback. The game came down to the 9th inning with the score tied at three. Toronto scored one run, but Brantford scored two and walked away with the win.
Jason Freeman led the Toronto offence with a 3-for-4 afternoon and two runs scored. Jon Waltenbury, Brendan Keys and Grant Tamane each contributed a couple of hits each from among the 13 by the Leafs on the day. Pointstreak is coming up as a bit of a mess, but it looks like Johnathan Solazzo, Waltenbury and Brendan Keys all had RBIs, and the rest of Toronto's runs were unearned.
Game Recap:
The Maple Leafs visited Brantford for the first time this season, ready to duel with the Red Sox.
Longtime aces Marek Deska and Jamie Richmond took the mound for their respective teams. True to their status, they each got off to a good start and kept each other's teams off the scoreboard for the first couple of innings.
The Leafs scored first as third baseman Tyler Mitchell doubled to lead off the 3rd inning, and scored on a 4-3 putout by DH Jon Waltenbury.
Brantford scored right back as third baseman Benjamin Bostick and DH Dan Jagdeo both doubled and Bostick scored the first run for the home side. 1-1 after the 3rd inning.
The Red Sox added two runs in the bottom of the 4th. Shortstop Brandon Dailey singled, and leftfielder Nick Weglarz homered off Deska to give the Sox a 3-1 lead after the 4th inning.
The Leafs got one back in the 6th, as rightfielder Jason Freeman doubled, then scored on a hit by first baseman Johnathan Solazzo. 3-2 Sox after the 6th.
Toronto tied the game in the top of the 8th. Freeman singled off Redmond, then advanced all the way to third on an error by Dailey that also put Solazzo on first base. A single by centerfielder Grant Tamane brought Freeman home, and sent the game to the 9th inning tied 3-3.
Waltenbury singled off reliever Tyler Soucie, moved to second on a single by leftfielder Raul Borjas, and scored on a single by catcher Brendan Keys to give Toronto the lead again, 4-3.
Brantford rallied in the bottom of the 9th. Justin Cicatello came in to close the game after Dan Zlotnick had pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Deska. First baseman Nic Burdett singled off Cicatello, then moved to second on a putout. Marcus Beal was brought in as a pinch runner, and he raced around to score on a single by Weglarz to tie the game. A single by catcher Wayne Forman moved Weglarz to third base, and rightfielder Chris Stewart hit a two-out flyball past the outfielders to drive Weglarz home and give Brantford the walkoff win, 5-4.
Longtime aces Marek Deska and Jamie Richmond took the mound for their respective teams. True to their status, they each got off to a good start and kept each other's teams off the scoreboard for the first couple of innings.
The Leafs scored first as third baseman Tyler Mitchell doubled to lead off the 3rd inning, and scored on a 4-3 putout by DH Jon Waltenbury.
Brantford scored right back as third baseman Benjamin Bostick and DH Dan Jagdeo both doubled and Bostick scored the first run for the home side. 1-1 after the 3rd inning.
The Red Sox added two runs in the bottom of the 4th. Shortstop Brandon Dailey singled, and leftfielder Nick Weglarz homered off Deska to give the Sox a 3-1 lead after the 4th inning.
The Leafs got one back in the 6th, as rightfielder Jason Freeman doubled, then scored on a hit by first baseman Johnathan Solazzo. 3-2 Sox after the 6th.
Toronto tied the game in the top of the 8th. Freeman singled off Redmond, then advanced all the way to third on an error by Dailey that also put Solazzo on first base. A single by centerfielder Grant Tamane brought Freeman home, and sent the game to the 9th inning tied 3-3.
Waltenbury singled off reliever Tyler Soucie, moved to second on a single by leftfielder Raul Borjas, and scored on a single by catcher Brendan Keys to give Toronto the lead again, 4-3.
Brantford rallied in the bottom of the 9th. Justin Cicatello came in to close the game after Dan Zlotnick had pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Deska. First baseman Nic Burdett singled off Cicatello, then moved to second on a putout. Marcus Beal was brought in as a pinch runner, and he raced around to score on a single by Weglarz to tie the game. A single by catcher Wayne Forman moved Weglarz to third base, and rightfielder Chris Stewart hit a two-out flyball past the outfielders to drive Weglarz home and give Brantford the walkoff win, 5-4.
Toronto 4-13-1
Brantford 5-9-1
W - Soucie (1-0, 1.58)
L - Cicatello (0-1, 7.94)
This loss drops the Maple Leafs behind these same Red Sox into fifth place, 3 games behind the London Majors. The Leafs are back at Christie Pits tomorrow, May 31, when they will host the winless Guelph Royals.
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