Bombs Away!

Game 28: Toronto Maple Leafs at Kitchener Panthers - July 9, 2015

Panthers win 10-5

After being shut down by the Toronto Maple Leafs at Christie Pits last night, the Kitchener Panthers exploded for four home runs in the rematch at Jack Couch Launch Pad.  They scored six runs in the 5th inning, en route to a 10-5 win to split the home-and-home series.

It was all Maple Leafs -- in fact, it was all Jon Waltenbury -- early in the game, as Number 33 drove in four runs, including a three-run bomb in the first inning.

These are the Kitchener Panthers after all -- the IBL's offensive machine in 2015.  After getting rocked early, they battled back and blew the game away with that big 5th inning.  THASS PANTHURR BASEBAWLLL!


Game Recap:

The Kitchener Panthers welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to Jack Couch Park for the second half of a home-and-home series.  Starting pitchers were Mike Schnurr and Adam Garner.

The Leafs were first out of the gate with three runs in the first inning, all off the bat of DH Jon Waltenbury.  He followed shortstop Connor Lewis and catcher Grant Tamane, who both singled, and belted a three-run homer to give the Leafs an early 3-0 lead.

Waltenbury drove in another run in the top of the second.  Centerfielder Tyler Mitchell singled and Lewis doubled, then Waltenbury hit into a putout at first base that allowed Mitchell to come home.  4-0 Leafs midway through the 2nd inning.

Kitchener's bats awoke in the bottom of the frame.  Centerfielder Tanner Nivins and catcher Mike Gordner each hit a solo home run off of Garner to but the Leafs lead in half, 4-2.

The Panthers tied the score in the bottom of the third, as DH Sean Reilly knocked a 2-run homer that made it 4-4.

In the top of the 4th inning, Waltenbury and first baseman Johnathan Solazzo hit a pair of doubles to reclaim the lead, as Solazzo drove in Waltenbury.  5-4 Leafs after four innings.

In their half of the 5th inning, Kitchener struck with a big inning.  Kyle Redinger had relieved Garner the inning before.  Leading off the bottom of the fifth, first baseman Matt McGovern tagged Redinger for a home run to tie the score again.  Redinger then gave up a single, a walk, and hit Reilly with a pitch to load the bases.  Dan Zlotnick was brought in to pitch.  He gave up a single that scored two, then a double that scored two more.  McGovern returned to the plate and doubled to drive in one more run that made it 10-5 Kitchener after five innings.

The Leafs were not able to stage a comeback.  Victor Vazquez and Phil Owen pitched the final 3.2 innings to seal the win for Kitchener.


Toronto 5-12-0
Kitchener 10-15-2

W - Schnurr (2-3, 6.53)
L - Redinger (1-1, 8.73)

BOXSCORE


The Maple Leafs drop back to .500, and their 12-12 record finds them 8 games behind the Barrie Baycats.  Their next game is back home at the Pits on Sunday, July 12, as they host the London Majors.