The unpleasant tableau seen above shows Kitchener Panthers pitcher Russell Luxton down on one knee, bloodied by a comebacker to the head.
It happened during the 10th inning of today's game at Christie Pits. The visiting Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs were tied at 5-5, having played a closely fought game harkening back to their first round playoff series last year.
The teams took turns blasting away at each other on a sunny afternoon at the Pits. Both clubs had a chance to take the lead late, but failed to get the winning run across.
Then in the 10th, Leafs player-manager Damon Topolie hit the fateful comebacker and reached first base before the ball could be retrieved. Luxton left the field on his own power and received medical attention behind the visitors' bench. Matt Vickers came in to pitch for Kitchener. He proceeded to load the bases, then walked in the winning run. Having secured a 6-5 victory, the Leafs performed the customary hi fives, but Luxton's injury muted the celebration somewhat.
Still no word from the Panthers on the severity of Luxton's injury, but hopefully it's not serious. [UPDATE: no concussion, but 8 stitches required.]
It was one of several unfortunate moments that took place during the IBL's league-wide opening weekend.
In Burlington yesterday, Hamilton Cardinals second baseman Zack Ranta suffered a dislocated ankle on a play at second, and the game was suspended.
Meanwhile, Opening Day in Brantford was postponed because the field at Arnold Anderson Stadium was "not ready for prime time."
The Leafs have suffered too -- starter Marek Deska was knocked out of the game by a comebacker in the 2nd inning of last week's home opener.
Rough early days for the IBL.
Still, the baseball Leafs are winning and the leaves are appearing on the trees. Pleasing signs for early May.
Game Recap:
Here comes Hercules!
Former Toronto Maple Leaf -- and IBL record holder for home runs, RBIs, jerseys stretched, fences demolished, and pitchers devastated in a season -- Sean Reilly returned to Christie Pits as a member of the Kitchener Panthers.
Reilly however would be limited to a 1 for 3 day with a couple of walks and no RBIs, as the Leafs' pitching staff combined to hold the Panthers to just five hits on the day.
New arrival James Trebus got the start for Toronto. After pitching a perfect first inning, he was tagged by Panthers first baseman Bryon Bell for a 2-run homer in the 2nd.
Kitchener starter Mike McGillivray pitched two perfect innings to start, but the Leafs got to him in the bottom of the 3rd. Singles by DH Justin Gianfrancesco and rightfielder Darryl Pui made it 1st and 3rd for the Leafs. They each scored on singles by centerfielder Glenn Jackson and second baseman Dan Marra. A sacrifice fly by leftfielder Raul Borjas brought Jackson in to score and it was 3-2 Leafs after three.
Trebus pitched through four innings without any further damage. He was relieved by Cam Grey, who pitched a perfect 5th inning.
Grey was relieved by Adam Garner for the 6th. Garner yielded an RBI single to Panthers rightfielder Darnell Duckett that tied the game at 3-3.
In the bottom of the 7th, the Leafs retook the lead. Still in the game, McGillivray gave up a walk to Gianfrancesco. A couple of wild pitches later, Gianfrancesco rounded the bases to score and McGillivray was relieved by Mike Gatchene after walking Glenn Jackson. A couple of fielding errors behind Gatchene would allow Jackson to score and it was 5-3 Leafs after 7.
Jake Hines started the 8th on the mound for Toronto, but he combined for a HBP, walk and error that allowed Panthers third baseman David Whiteside to score. A sacrifice fly by second baseman Mike Andrulis tied the game again at 5-5 and Justin Lawrence was brought in as the fifth Leafs pitcher of the day. During all of this action, Duckett had worked a two-base error and Andrulis' sac fly to land himself at third base with just one out, and the Panthers threatened to retake the lead. Panthers shortstop Mike Glinka then hit a flyball to Pui in right field. Pui made the catch, then launched a cannon shot to home as Duckett raced for the plate. The throw made it to catcher Tony Alvarez in time to nail Duckett and the inning was over, tied 5-5. Pui's throw saved the day.
The Leafs and Panthers were held scoreless in their next turns to bat, and so it went to the bottom of the 9th.
Jackson led off with a walk off Russell Luxton. Second baseman Dan Marra followed with a single. Borjas then hit into a double play, but Jackson was now on third base. A mound conference by the Panthers took place. When they resumed their places, Luxton pitched to third baseman Sean Mattson. Mattson struck out swinging and it was on to extra innings still tied 5-5. Jackson's batting helmet is said to be recovering tonight.
Lawrence pitched a perfect top of the 10th for Toronto. In the bottom of the inning, Alvarez attempted to end the game with one swing, but his flyball to left field was caught at the fence by Jeff Pietraszko. First baseman-manager Damon Topolie was up next. On a 1-1 count, he hit a comebacker that struck Luxton in the head. Topolie reached first safely and Luxton was replaced on the mound by Matt Vickers. Vickers then gave up a single to shortstop Tyler Mitchell and a walk to Gianfrancesco. With the bases loaded, Pui worked the count to 3-0. He took a called strike, then another ball for an easy game-winning RBI and the home side won 6-5 in 10.
Kitchener 5-5-4
Toronto 6-11-2
W - Lawrence (1-0)
L - Luxton (0-1)
The Leafs are now 2-0 to start the season. Their next game is back at Christie Pits on May 18 against the London Majors.
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