Just in the Knecht of Time

Game 2: Toronto Maple Leafs at London Majors, May 19, 2018 (rescheduled rainout)

Leafs win 6-5

                                                                                                                                                                                 FILE PHOTO

Knecht nicked it in the ninth.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were down to their final out at Labatt Memorial Park last night, down 5-4, when Marcus Knecht smashed a double to drive in the tieing and winning runs. 

Knecht's shot put the Leafs ahead 6-5 and the London Majors were unable to respond. Reliever R.J. Page shut the Majors down in the ninth to secure the Leafs' third win in three games to start the season.

It started like gangbusters for the visitors. 

Sparked by three newcomers to the club this season, the Leafs jumped ahead courtesy of a single (by third baseman Mike Reeves), a walk (by rightfielder Knecht) and an RBI double by DH Garret Takamatsu. That brought London starter Cory Hammond's night to an early end, as he was replaced on the mound by Joan Montero. He could not contain the early blaze, walking the bases loaded, then serving up a two-run single to second baseman Dan Marra. The Leafs were off to a 3-0 lead after one inning of play.

The Leafs' lead extended in the second. Centerfielder Connor Lewis doubled to lead off, moved to third on a groundout by Reeves, then scored on a sac fly by catcher Justin Marra. 4-0 visitors after two.

The Majors got one run back to make it 4-1 through four. Toronto starter Pedro De Los Santos pitched into the fifth inning before running into more trouble. Four singles, a walk and two errors helped the homeside take a 5-4 lead. De Los Santos was relieved by Page for the final out of the inning.

The score remained 5-4 going into the ninth. Leftfielder Greg Carrington drew a leadoff walk off Montero, who was relieved after 7.2 innings of work by Dylan Brooks. Carrington stole second and Lewis walked to put tie tying and winning runs aboard. Brooks hunkered down and got the next two men out. Down to their final out, the Leafs were rescued by Knecht's golden two-bagger. Page finished off his 4.1 innings of scoreless relief with another goose egg.

Toronto departed as the winners with a 6-5 FINAL score, after a total team effort.


Toronto 6-6-3
London 5-7-1

W - Page (1-0, 0.00)
L - Brooks (0-1, 9.00)


BOXSCORE


The Leafs return to Christie Pits this afternoon, when they will host the Burlington Herd. First pitch is at 2:00 pm.