On the Christie Hillside: Score, Score, Then Score Some More

Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - May 22 to 28, 2023

The Leafs piled on the runs and took two of three to stay atop the standings.

A familiar scene from Week Two as the Leafs scored early and often all week long.

We begin with a public service announcement.

Spring is well underway, and the animals at Christie Pits have been mating like animals. Baby critters will soon appear on the Christie hillsides, and that includes skunks.

Skunks are nocturnal creatures. With the first Wednesday nighter of the Toronto Maple Leafs' season upon us this week, we offer the following tips courtesy of the Toronto Wildlife Centre.

What should you do if you encounter a skunk at close proximity? First, smile and take in the wonder of life's rich pageant. Second, back away slowly.

Skunks never hurt nobody, unless they got it coming. Skunks are reluctant to spray, and will only do so when startled or as a last resort. Skunks usually give warning signs before they spray: stamping their feet, standing on their front legs, raising their tail in the air. If you see a skunk doing any of these things, back away slowly. As soon as the skunk feels you’re at a safe distance, it should move off on its own accord.

Dogs and skunks? Good luck.

And now here's the recap of Week 2 in Toronto Maple Leafs baseball.

Thursday, May 25, 2023 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Kitchener Panthers

Johnathan Solazzo tattoos a pitch from Kitchener Panthers starter Jacob Douglas. When the ball landed, it set off car alarms. In Cambridge.

Thursday night at Jack Couch Park, two of the IBL's highest-octane offences went at it and did not disappoint.

Batsmen on both sides could not wait to get to the plate, perhaps none more impatient than Toronto Maple Leafs third baseman Johnathan Solazzo. In the top of the first inning, Solazzo crushed a 3-run home run off Jacob Douglas to open the scoring.

In the bottom of the first, Andy Leader bopped a solo home run off starter Julian Valdez to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

Kitchener roared ahead in the bottom of the second, tagging Valdez for four runs off three hits, including a two-run blast by Elliott Curtis. It was 5-3 Panthers after two.

The Leafs returned to the plate in the third and Douglas walked three batters in a row to set the stage for his early demise. Second baseman Yoichi Ishihara singled in a run, and then Douglas walked in three more. Douglas was put out of his misery as Nathan Laird relieved him on the mound. Laird walked in another run, and then uncorked a wild pitch that brought a sixth Leaf run across the plate. When the Panthers finally got out of the inning, seven walks and just one hit had turned the score 9-5 in Toronto's favour.

Kitchener clawed back to within a run in the bottom of the fifth, making it 9-8, but the Leafs would not be denied this night.

Pinch hitter Justin Murray drove in a run in the sixth to make it 10-8.

The Leafs piled four more runs on the board to bury the Panthers in the seventh. A late run made it a 14-9 game but that was the final score as Adam Marra got the win in relief.

Solazzo led the way with three RBIs. Centerfielder Ryan Santos notched two. Ishihara, Murray, shortstop Jose Vinicio, first baseman Jordan Castaldo, right fielder Gregory Carrington, left fielder Robin Fox-Pappas and DH David Alvarez each recorded one.

Toronto 14 11 3

Kitchener 9 12 3

W - A. Marra (1-1, 13.50)

L - Douglas (0-1, 40.50)

BOXSCORE

Saturday, May 27, 2023 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Brantford Red Sox

The Leafs gather for some high fiving after demolishing the Red Sox on Saturday night. (image: Brantford Red Sox YouTube)

It's looking like another rough summer for baseball fans in Brantford.

In 2022, the Red Sox went 2-39 and recorded a season-long run differential of minus-358.

Two weeks into the new season, the Sox are 0-5 and already minus-51 in run differential. They are getting shellacked routinely.

Saturday night was no exception as the Toronto Maple Leaf scoring machine rolled into town. No boxscore has been posted from this one. Life is too short to watch a 4-hour recording of the game on YouTube, so let's just say there was another shellacking, with the expected outcome.

Toronto 16

Brantford 5

Winning pitcher was Marek Deska.

Sunday, May 28, 2023 - Welland Jackfish at Toronto Maple Leafs

An amped Gregory Carrington works his way through a sea of high fives after hitting a grand slam on Sunday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' four-game win streak came to an end on a sunny Sunday at Christie Pits.

After six innings, they held a 9-5 lead over the Welland Jackfish, but the fish slipped the hook and escaped with an 11-9 win.

Sam Greene made another strong start on the mound, giving up three runs (two earned) over five innings while striking out five. Greene briefly hit the deck after taking a comebacker to the leg but gutted it out and stayed in the game. Warrior!

Bottom of the fourth, stop me if you've heard this one before. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo put the Leafs on the board with a three-run bomb. It was his fourth straight game with a homer and gave him 15 RBIs on this early season. If he is not named the player of the month, I will riot outside IBL Headquarters.

The Leafs 3-2 lead was short-lived. Welland scored a run to tie it 3-3 in the top of the fifth.

Midway through the sixth, Welland pulled ahead 5-3.

Toronto appeared to seize the game by the throat in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of the classic One Big Inning. Eleven men came to the plate and they scored six runs. Four of them came off the bat of right fielder Gregory Carrington. The grand salami was Carrington's second home run of the season. Catcher Justin Marra and first baseman Jordan Castaldo each drove in a run to give the Leafs a 9-5 lead.

But as they say, no lead is safe at Christie Pits. This time it was the home side that suffered.

James Wilson took the mound for the Mapes to start the eighth and had a rough go of it. A walk, a hit by pitch, another walk, and another hit by pitch and the Jackfish had themselves a run. Wilson was relieved by Venezuelan Wilgenis Alvarado. Three walks and a sacrifice fly tied the game at 9-9 through eight.

Alvarado remained in the game and gave up a two-run double to give the Wellanders an 11-9 lead with the Leafs down to their last three strikes.

There would be no walkoff drama as the boys went down in order for their second loss of the season. Alvarado took the loss.

If there is one consolation to be had, the outcome of the game sets up what already feels like a titanic Wednesday nighter at the Pits this week. The Leafs will host the Kitchener Panthers in a battle for first place.

Welland 11 5 2

Toronto 9 12 3

W - Mendez (1-0, 0.00)

L - Alvarado (0-1, 13.50)

BOXSCORE