Leafs win 8-6
It's a best-of-three now, boys.
The Toronto Maple Leafs capped off a successful weekend of playoff baseball by winning their second straight game against the Barrie Baycats this afternoon, evening up their semi-final series at 2-2.
Leafs starter Justin Lawrence (above) got some well-deserved run support for a well-deserved win in a sweltering Christie Pits. Lawrence the quiet workhorse - a revelation in this postseason - went six innings in the midst of a Toronto Heat Alert, giving up just two runs on seven hits, while striking out five.
Marek Deska carried a Leafs lead through the late innings before turning it over to closer Christian Botnick, who slammed the door in the 9th for the save and a Leafs win.
After stranding six runners on base in the first three innings, the Leafs' revved up the horsepower to score eight runs in front of a delighted crowd and the Rogers TV cameras, beaming the game nationwide.*
Johnathan Solazzo led the way with a home run and two RBIs. Brendan Keys also drove in a pair, and Tyler Mitchell, Connor Lewis and Grant Tamane drove in one run each.
The Baycats rallied late and came within one run of tying it in the 8th inning, but they fell just short on this day.
As the Leafs re-write the script to this postseason, they are surprising more and more observers. Eyebrows are being raised. For the second straight series, they are in the thick of it, and with game five coming up in Barrie on Tuesday night, they will have a chance to take control of this semi-final.
*Possible exaggeration.
Game Recap:
Humidity soared into the mid-thirties this afternoon as the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Barrie Baycats at Christie Pits for game four of their semi-final series. On the mound were Justin Lawrence and Adam Rowe.
Looking to get an early jump on things, the Baycats loaded the bases in the top of the first inning, but Lawrence got a strikeout to end the threat.
Both starters threw scoreless innings until the top of the third, when Barrie broke the ice. First baseman Jordan Castaldo doubled to lead off. This was followed by an RBI single by third baseman Kevin Atkinson (Castaldo scored), a single by leftfielder Steve Lewis, and an RBI single by DH Jeremy Walker (Atkinson scored). 2-0 Baycats through three innings.
The Leafs stranded six men on base in the first three innings, but finally got on the board in the bottom of the 4th. Centerfielder Tyler Mitchell led off with a single off Rowe. He advanced to second on a sac bunt by catcher Brendan Keys, then scored on a single by shortstop Connor Lewis. 2-1 Barrie after the 4th inning.
Toronto took the lead in the 5th. Second baseman Dan Marra singled to lead off. First baseman Jon Waltenbury walked, then a single by leftfielder Raul Borjas loaded the bases. After DH Will Richards struck out, Mitchell delivered an RBI single that scored Marra. Keys followed that with a single that drove in both Waltenbury and Borjas. 4-2 Leafs through five.
Rightfielder Grant Tamane reached first on an error to start the bottom of the 6th. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo then belted a two-run home run to make it a 6-2 game for the Leafs through six.
Marek Deska took over on the mound to start the 7th, and he pitched a scoreless top half of the inning.
Brad Bissell relieved Rowe in the bottom half of the inning, and got into trouble right away. He walked Richards, gave up a single to Mitchell, and walked Keys to load the bases. After a wild pitch saw Richards tagged out at home, Bissell walked Lewis to reload the bases. Then, he struck Tamane with a pitch and Mitchell advanced to home with a bonus run. 7-2 Leafs through seven.
Barrie rallied in the 8th, even though Deska recorded a quick two outs to start the inning. Jackson reached first on an error by Solazzo. Then DeGrace and Castaldo singled, with Jackson scoring on Castaldo's hit. With two men on, Atkinson stepped up to the plate and crushed one over the left field fence. The home run made it a one-run ballgame, and Deska escaped the inning with a 7-6 score.
Toronto got some insurance in the bottom of the 8th. Chris Nagorski relieved Bissell. He gave up a single to Solazzo, who advanced to second on a putout by Borjas. Damon Topolie pinch hit for Richards (who had injured his hand on the play at the plate in the previous inning). On an 0-2 count, Topolie hit one to shortstop Branfy Arias, whose throw to first eluded Castaldo. "Tops" was safe at first and Solazzo scored to pad Toronto's lead 8-6 through eight.
Christian Botnick came in to pitch the ninth, and he nailed down a 1-2-3 inning to preserve the 8-6 win for Toronto. Lawrence got the win and Botnick got the save.
Barrie 6-11-4
Toronto 8-13-3
W - Lawrence (1-2, 2.86)
L - Rowe (2-1, 2.04)
S - Botnick (1)
BOXSCORE
This semi-final series is now tied 2-2. The Maple Leafs travel to Coates Stadium for game five this Tuesday night, August 18.
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