Panthers win 11-2
If there is one bugaboo haunting the Toronto Maple Leafs this year, it is errors.
One-third of the way into the 2017 season, the Torontos have racked up dozens of E's while clubs like Barrie, London and Kitchener are still in single digits. The only error-free game the Leafs have played this year was at Burlington on June 3rd.
A trio of miscues led to three runs being scored by the Kitchener Panthers, who went on to win an 11-2 blowout at Christie Pits on Monday night.
It didn't begin this way. Zach Sloan was on the mound for Toronto, up against former Leaf Daniel Procopio.
Sloan and Procopio traded scoreless innings until the bottom of the fourth. Catcher Justin Marra doubled, and Procopio proceeded to walk the bases loaded. Rightfielder Daniel Szpik then hit one that went for an unassisted putout by the pitcher, allowing Marra to score and give the Leafs a 1-0 lead.
While still in the fourth, Kitchener manager Dave teBoekhorst took a moment to recommend a good book to the home plate umpire. This did not tally with the ump's preferences, and he instructed Coach Tebo to take his suggestions elsewhere.
The exchange of literary opinions may have sparked the Panthers, who sent nine men to the plate in the top of the fifth. They scored six runs off four hits and two errors. Toronto's lanky lefty was chased from the game and Nate Morris came in to get out of the inning. It was 6-1 Panthers after five.
The Mapes got one back in the bottom of the eighth. Leftfielder Grant Tamane led off with a double off reliever Jazvir Rakkar. A single by Justin Marra drove him in, and the Leafs were down 6-2 after eight.
The black cats put the game away with five more runs in the top of the ninth. Fans quietly took their leave from the Christie hillsides as the Leafs quietly went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth. Rakkar earned himself a save after four innings of work. Procopio* got the win in an 11-2 final. Sloan took his first loss for Toronto.
Seriously though, Jane Austin isn't that bad.
* The following day, Procopio was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels.
W - Procopio (1-0, 0.81)
L - Sloan (0-1, 3.60)
S - Rakkar (1)
BOXSCORE
The Leafs hang on to fourth place in the IBL standings following the loss, and they will bring their 6-6 record to Bernie Arbour Stadium on Tuesday night -- their third game in three days -- against the Hamilton Cardinals.
No comments:
Post a Comment