Flat Finals Opener for the Leafs

2022 IBL Championship Series - Game 1

September 13 - Toronto Maple Leafs at London Majors

Majors win 12-2, lead the series 1-0

Toronto Maple Leafs starter Angel Castro leaves the field after giving up six runs over six innings in the championship series opener.

Flat start to the Toronto Maple Leafs' quest to reclaim the Dominico Cup.

Last night at Labatt Park, the London Majors began the 2022 IBL Championship Series with a 12-2 blowout win.

The game felt closer than the final score, if only because the Leafs kept scrapping and the Majors piled on six runs in the late innings.

It was Owen Boon versus Angel Castro on the mound.  Boon demonstrated why he is one of the league's elite pitchers, giving up just one earned run over seven innings while striking out 13.  Castro did what Castro does, battling his way through tight spots, lighting up the ballpark with his passion, but on this night Leaf bats were unable to lift him to a win.

Bottom of the 2nd inning was where the Majors did most of their damage.  They sent 10 men to the plate and racked up a 6-0 lead.

"Chip away, chip away" was the buzz in the Leafs dugout, and they set out to do just that.

Top of the 3rd, second baseman Dan Marra led off with a single.  Left fielder Gregory Carrington followed with a single, and then shortstop Jose Vinicio hit an RBI double to make it 6-1.

Top of the 6th, first baseman Jordan Castaldo doubled, then scored on a single by right fielder Marcus Knecht.  That made it 6-2 Majors through six.

The Majors put the game away for good in the bottom of the 7th, pouncing on relievers Zach Sloan and Chris Nagorski to the tune of five runs.  They added one more run in the 8th and strolled away with a 12-2 FINAL score.

Toronto 2 7 1

London 12 13 2

W - Boon (2-0, 0.64)

L - Castro (2-1, 7.71)

BOXSCORE

The Leafs will look to even up the series on Thursday night.  Game 2 goes at Christie Pits with a 7:30 pm start time.