Leafs win 10-6
It was a familiar sight to see the Toronto Maple Leafs trotting the bases after a home run yesterday. They did it three times in the second game of a Father's Day doubleheader at Christie Pits, and seven times in total on the day.
The Guelph Royals were overwhelmed by the home run derby as the Leafs came from behind to win 10-6 and sweep the doubleheader.
Unlike the first game, when the Leafs barged out to a 6-run lead in the first inning, they fell behind early in game two. Starter Dillan Mulholland was roughed up for five runs and lasted just 2.2 innings. Justin Cicatello and Christian Botnick came in to settle things down and allow the Leafs' bats to stage a famous comeback.
Finding themselves down 5-1 after Mulholland departed, the Leafs got him off the hook with a rally that will be remembered for Jon Waltenbury's game-winning home run. His missile hit the snack bar beyond centerfield with such force that it left a huge crack down one corner of the structure. For the rest of the game, fans went over to admire the damage.
Back-to-back home runs by Jason Freeman and Sean Mattson added late game punctuation marks and took any remaining wind out of the Royals' sails.
It was a happy ending for everyone who stuck it out for the entire five-plus hours of the doubleheader: the Christie Crazies, the hipsters, the sun worshippers, the dogs and their owners, the kiddies and their parents, the Owner, the official scorekeeper, the rogue scorekeeper, the ballpark enforcers, Al the Ticket Guy, and the quiet types who like to immortalize the moments.
Following the doubleheader sweep, Guelph's record is a miserable 1-15. They have now lost 10 in a row and their nightmare season continues as these two teams will play again in the Royal City on Tuesday night.
Game Recap:
After a break between games of the doubleheader, the Guelph Royals jumped on the board first in game two. Centerfielder Chandler McLaren hit a solo home run off starter Dillan Mulholland for an early 1-0 lead.
The Maple Leafs tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Second baseman Dan Marra walked and stole second. He advanced to third on a flyball out by first baseman Jon Waltenbury, then scored on a single by rightfielder Jason Freeman. 1-1 after one.
Mulholland gave up three straight singles in the 2nd inning, then gave up a double to former Hamilton Cardinal Anthony Risquez. The shortstop's two-bagger scored catcher Patrick Coughlin and DH Matt Stocco. 3-1 Royals after the 2nd inning.
Feeling the big mo might be on their side, the Royals kept at it. Mulholland hit first baseman Justin Interisano with a pitch to start the 3rd inning. Leftfielder Clayton Truex followed with a single, and Stocco singled again to score Interisano. A single by Risquez drove in Truex and the Guelphs were off to a 5-1 lead midway through three.
The Leafs began the comeback with three straight singles off starter Mike Pembleton. Waltenbury, Freeman, and third baseman Sean Mattson each singled, with Mattson driving in Waltenbury. Leftfielder Raul Borjas hit a sac fly that allowed Freeman to score and it was 5-3 Royals after the 3rd inning.
The game turned for good in the bottom of the 4th. Shortstop Ryan White singled and centerfielder Connor Lewis walked. A game-tying double by Marra brought them both home. Waltenbury was up next, and he hit a go-ahead home run that cleared the centerfield fence and hit the snack bar beyond it with enough force to crack the corner of it. 7-5 Leafs after the 4th inning.
Guelph made it interesting in the 5th. Justin Cicatello, who had been pitching in relief of Mulholland since the 3rd, gave up a single to Stocco and then walked second baseman Blair Gignac. Cicatello struck out the next two, but a single by McLaren brought in a run and made it 7-6 Toronto after five innings.
The Leafs put the game away for good in the bottom of the 6th. Waltenbury singled, then Freeman hit a two-run home run. Mattson followed with a solo blast that made it 10-6 for the home side after six.
Christian Botnick pitched a 1-2-3 7th to nail down the 10-6 final and the sweep of the doubleheader.
Guelph 6-12-1
Toronto 10-14-0
W - Cicatello (1-1, 5.22)
L - Pembleton (0-1, 17.18)
BOXSCORE
The Maple Leafs are now 9-7 and tied with the London Majors for 4th place in the standings, four games back of the Barrie Baycats. Their next game is at these same Guelph Royals on Tuesday, June 23.
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| Waltenbury home run marker |
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