Leafs win 7-2
The Toronto Maple Leafs ought to ship a giant-ass gift basket down the QEW to Bernie Arbour Stadium. It would be a token of thanks to the Hamilton Cardinals for agreeing to trade slugger Johnathan Solazzo and southpaw Brett Van Pelt to Toronto in the off-season.
The trade was already a big win for the Leafs, but never more so than today at Christie Pits. Solazzo and Van Pelt led the hammering of the Brantford Red Sox, leading their team to a 7-2 win and a 2-0 lead in this quarterfinal playoff series.
Following the example of Justin Cicatello in game one, Van Pelt spun a complete game win, limiting the visitors to just two runs over nine while striking out four.
Solazzo had a monster day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and a home run, and he drove in four runs.
The Leafs' other RBIs were driven in by Dan Marra, Will Richards and Damon Topolie.
The hits, the throws, the catches, the calls - so many things have been going Toronto's way, and they have capitalized on every opportunity. Momentum-killing pick offs, sac bunts that go for singles, amazing outfield catches, timely hits and strong defense. Click, click, click.
For Brantford, Brandon Dailey did all the damage today, hitting a two-run home run in the 3rd inning. After that, Van Pelt pitched six scoreless innings to shut down the Sox for the second game in a row in this series.
Thank you, Hammer.
Game Recap:
Game two of this quarterfinal series saw Brett Van Pelt square off against Nathan Forer as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed the Brantford Red Sox to Christie Pits on a hot, sunny afternoon.
The Leafs wasted no time in the first inning, as first baseman Jon Waltenbury walked and third baseman Johnathan Solazzo hit a single off of Forer. A single by rightfielder Will Richards drove in Waltenbury and gave the Leafs a 1-0 lead after one.
Brantford took the lead in the third inning. Second baseman Benjamin Bostick hit a single, and then shortstop Brandon Dailey hit a two-run home run off of Van Pelt. Midway through the third, it was 2-1 Red Sox.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Solazzo tied the score 2-2 with a solo home run.
Van Pelt and Forer dueled into the bottom of the 5th, when the Leafs broke it open. Shortstop Connor Lewis, leftfielder Grant Tamane and second baseman Dan Marra each singled. Marra's hit drove in Lewis and Forer was relieved by Andrew Van't Wout. The Leafs continued the hit parade as Waltenbury singled to load the bases, and then Solazzo cleared them with a 3-run double. Richards was hit by a pitch next, and a flyout by centerfielder Tyler Mitchell moved Solazzo to third. Van't Wout was relieved by Matt Betts. DH Damon Topolie then drove in Solazzo on a fielder's choice, and it was 7-2 Leafs through five innings.
That was more than enough lead for Van Pelt. He scattered three hits over the final four innings to nail down the complete game and a 7-2 win for Toronto.
Brantford 2-9-1
Toronto 7-12-2
W - Van Pelt (1-0, 2.00)
L - Forer (0-1, 11.25)
BOXSCORE
The Maple Leafs take a 2-0 lead in this best of seven series. Game three is at Arnold Anderson Stadium in Brantford on Tuesday night, August 4.
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