Leafs win 8-2
Same outcome, better weather.
On a cold and windy Saturday two weeks ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs erupted in the ninth inning at "the Barn" in Nelson Park to blow away the Burlington Herd.
Yesterday, under warm and sunny skies, the Leafs did it again.
Burlington jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. Leftfielder Canice Ejoh singled off Toronto starter Mike Wagner. Ejoh stole second, advanced to third on a groundout, then scored on a single by DH Kevin Hussey.
The score remained 1-0 through four innings. Burlington starter Rich Corrente held the V-necks hitless until the top of the fifth. Batting leadoff, shortstop Adam Odd got aboard when he lined one up the middle that got through the second baseman, allowing Odd to reach second base on the play. Second baseman Ryan White then slapped a single that moved Odd to third. Rightfielder Brendan Keys was up next, and he hit one that got through the Herd shortstop. This scored Odd to tie the game, moved White to third, and Keys ended up at second. Centerfielder Greg Carrington stepped up to the plate next, and hit what turned out to be the game-winner: an RBI single that scored White and moved Keys to third. Carrington was not finished. Leftfielder Grant Tamane stepped into the box to face Corrente next. Carrington immediately broke for second, sliding in safely. At the same time, Keys dashed home from third and slid home with another run to give the Leafs a 3-1 lead through five.
Wagner went six innings on the day. He gave up four hits and one earned run while striking out five and walking three. He turned it over to Andrew Simonetti, who pitched a perfect seventh.
Burlington pulled back to within one run in the bottom of the eighth. Sidearmer Adam Marra took over on the mound for the visitors. He gave up a pair of singles to centerfielder Justin Gideon and Ejoh. Gideon moved to third on a flyball out, then broke for home on a grounder that was hit to third baseman Johnathan Solazzo. Gideon was gunned down at the plate on Solazzo's laser throw to catcher Justin Marra. Ejoh moved to second on the play and then stole third. An RBI single by first baseman Carlos Villoria scored Ejoh. Pedro De Los Santos relieved Marra and recorded the final out of the inning. The Leafs escaped the jam, and clung to a 3-2 lead through eight.
Toronto blew this one open in the top of the ninth. White hit a solo home run -- his first of the season -- off of reliever Christian Hauck. Carrington reached first on an error, and Tamane walked. First baseman Jon Waltenbury then knocked a single to drive in Carrington. Wally was replaced by pinch runner Troy Daring and Justin Marra came up to the plate next. Marra crowned the game with a three-run blast that put the game away for good. All told, the Leafs sent ten men to the plate and De Los Santos returned to the mound holding an 8-2 lead.
The Herd went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth and the 8-2 final gave the Leafs their fifth win of the season. Wagner got the win and Corrente got the loss.
W - Wagner (1-0, 3.60)
L - Corrente (0-1, 1.20)
BOXSCORE
The Leafers maintain their stranglehold on 4th place in the IBL standings with a 5-3 record. Their next scheduled game is home at Christie Pits later today, against the Guelph Royals. Mother Nature may have something to say about that. Stay tuned.
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