Leafs win 6-1
The Toronto Maple Leafs' late season hot streak continues.
The V-necks secured their first winning season since 2011 with a 6-1 victory over the Brantford Red Sox last night at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
The pitching tandem of Justin Cicatello (above) and Mike Wagner -- both from New York state -- shut down the Sox' offence. Cicatello gave up just one earned run while striking out five over six innings, and Wagner pitched three scoreless innings to finish it out.
Justin Marra continued his charge for the IBL home run title, bashing his 15th of the year. He had a couple of RBIs, as did Ryan White. Sean Mattson and Dan Marra each drove in a run.
The story of the game was told on the mound. If Cicatello wasn't mowing down the side, he was escaping jams with runners in scoring position, including a bases-loaded situation in the sixth. Nerves of a cat burgler -- a curious expression* but one befitting the pitcher's cool demeanour. When Wagner came on in relief, he was lights out. Even the Brantford Red Sox are haunted by Yankees.
The Leafs finish the season at home tomorrow, then look to continue their winning ways against the Brant Sox when they meet in the playoffs next week.
* Honestly, who steals from cats?
Game Recap:
With the season series on the line, the Brantford Red Sox welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to Arnold Anderson Stadium. Each club had won two games at home prior to the evening's tilt. Riley Barr was on the mound for the home side, against Justin Cicatello.
Catcher Justin Marra put the Leafs on the board in the first inning when he hit a two out home run.
Brantford got a hit off of Cicatello in the bottom of the 1st, but no further damage was done. Both pitchers started strong and pitched scoreless innings in the 2nd and 3rd.
The Leafs scored again in the top of the 4th. Justin Marra walked to lead off the inning. First baseman Johnathan Solazzo and DH Damon Topolie each singled to load the bases. A single by second baseman Dan Marra scored his brother, and then shortstop Ryan White grounded out but Solazzo scored on the play. 3-0 Leafs through four.
Cicatello was solid all night. He gave up seven hits but shut the Sox out through six innings. Brantford loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the 6th, but Cicatello escaped with a flyout and groundout to end the threat.
Toronto added to their lead in the top of the 7th. Jose Vasquez replaced Barr on the mound for Brantford. Centerfielder Connor Lewis singled, moved to second on a balk, then advanced to third on a flyball out by leftfielder Grant Tamane. Rightfielder Jon Waltenbury walked next, and then went first to third on a single by Justin Marra that drove in Lewis. A single by third baseman Sean Mattson drove in Waltenbury and that made it 5-0 Leafs midway through the 7th.
Mike Wagner relieved fellow New Yorker Cicatello in the bottom of the 7th. He gave up a double to DH Lee Delfino, who then moved to third on a wild pitch. Delfino scored when leftfielder Josh McCurdy grounded out, but Wagner finished the inning with a strikeout. 5-1 Leafs after seven.
The Buds added one more run in the top of the 8th, courtesy of a single by Dan Marra and an RBI double by White to make it 6-1.
The Red Sox left two men stranded on the bases in the bottom of the 8th, and Wagner retired the side in the bottom of the 9th to secure the classic three-inning save and a 6-1 FINAL for Toronto.
Toronto 6-11-0
Brantford 1-10-0
W - Cicatello (5-4, 4.97)
L - Barr (1-2, 6.39)
BOXSCORE
With their 19th win of 2016, the Maple Leafs clinch their first winning season in five years. They still have a shot at 4th place and homefield advantage for the first round of the playoffs. To do so, they will have to beat the Barrie Baycats at Christie Pits on the regular season finale, Sunday, July 31.
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