Leafs win 14-0
Not since the Hagersville Tire Fire have Hamiltonians been witness to such unbridled devastation.
Christie Pits became an inferno for the Hamilton Cardinals, as the visitors lost 14-0 to a Toronto Maple Leafs team that recorded the franchise's 1000th win in grand style.
After a week-long layoff because of rainouts, the Leafs burst out of the gate with six runs in the first inning and never looked back.
En route to the milestone victory, the Leafs pounded out 16 hits and surrendered just three. Jon Waltenbury and Sean Mattson (above centre) led the scoring assault with a home run each, and the sluggers combined for five of the Leafs' 11 RBIs. Connor Lewis contributed four hits and three RBIs.
Ace starter Marek Deska gave up just two hits over five innings while striking out seven. Four relievers each pitched a scoreless inning, as Leafs pitching notched a total of 15 K's on the night.
When newcomer Kyle Redinger struck out the final batter of the game to clinch the Leafs' thousandth win, the hillsides erupted with lusty cheering and fireworks filled the night sky. The Owner himself took to the public address system to praise his players and their manager Perry Mader. He then led the crowd in a rousing rendition of "My Way." Toronto hadn't seen a night like this since SARS-fest, probably.
Game Recap:
Marek Deska got the game off to a quick start for the Maple Leafs by pitching a 1-2-3 top of the 1st.
The Leafs meanwhile sent their entire batting order to the plate in the bottom of the frame. Rightfielder Connor Lewis grounded out. Second baseman Dan Marra walked. Leftfielder Jon Waltenbury singled, as did first baseman Will Richards, driving in Marra with the first run of the game. Centerfielder Tyler Mitchell drew a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch to DH Johnathan Solazzo allowed Waltenbury to dash for home. Solazzo popped out for the second out of the inning. With catcher Grant Tamane up next, another wild pitch scored Mitchell. Tamane then walked. Third baseman Sean Mattson then blasted a three-run home run off Hamilton Cardinals starter Dylan Grosol. Shortstop Ryan White hit into the final out of the inning, but six runs were already on the board.
Lewis singled to lead off the bottom of the second, and Marra followed with another. Tanner Guindon was brought in to relieve Grosul, ending his night after just two batters faced in the 2nd inning. Guindon walked Mitchell to load the bases, then Mitchell hit a sac fly to score Lewis. 7-0 Leafs after the 2nd inning.
Deska gave up his first hit of the game in the 3rd, but continued to cruise along.
The Leafs turned the game into a romp with four more runs in the bottom of the inning. Mattson singled, White doubled, then Lewis singled again to drive them both in. Marra reached first on a fielder's choice, then Waltenbury smacked one over the fence for a two-run homer. 11-0 Leafs after the 3rd inning.
The nightmare continued for Cardinals pitching in the 4th inning. Kyle Adoranti relieved Guindon, but he loaded the bases on a single (Solazzo), walk (Tamane) and single (Mattson). White hit into a fielder's choice to score Solazzo, then Lewis doubled to plate two more runs. 14-0 Leafs after the 4th inning.
Deska breezed through another 1-2-3 inning in the 5th before turning it over to the bullpen. Adam Garner, Cameron Gray, Justin Cicatello and new addition Kyle Redinger each pitched a scoreless inning to nail down the 3-hit shutout and record the 1000th win in Toronto Maple Leafs franchise history.
Hamilton 0-3-1
Toronto 14-16-4
W - Deska (4-0, 2.52)
L - Grosul (0-1, 16.61)
BOXSCORE
The Leafs are now 7-6 and in 4th place, 5 games behind the Barrie Baycats in the standings. Their next game is on the road against the Kitchener Panthers at the Waterloo County Agricultural Fairgrounds and Casino.
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