Comeback Kids

Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - July 22 to 28, 2024

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back in the hunt following a three-game sweep of Week 11.

On Sunday at Christie Pits, Jordan Castaldo drove in a pair of runs to help the Toronto Maple Leafs to their third win in a row.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have just turned things around.

After a horrendous first half of the season, which saw them fall to last place and remain there, saw them put up a league-worst run differential, and saw the departure of their general manager, it looked like the year might be lost.

On Friday night, a comeback victory against the London Majors sparked a mini-winning streak that saved the season.  For now.

The comeback in London was followed by a pair of comfortable wins on Saturday and Sunday.  By week's end the Leafs had climbed up to seventh place in the IBL standings.  They've got some breathing room, and they are back in the hunt.

Now that's more like it.

And now, here is a recap of Week 11 in Toronto Maple Leafs baseball.

Friday, July 26, 2024 - Toronto Maple Leafs at London Majors

Charlie Towers smashes a double to right field to break the tie and win the game for the Leafs in London.  (image: London Majors YouTube)

They refused to lose.

Friday night at Labatt Memorial Park, the Toronto Maple Leafs emerged victorious after a back-and-forth battle with the London Majors that took 11 innings and over four hours.

Landon Leach made his second start on the mound and surrendered a first inning run to the hosts.  He completed three innings before the Leafs' bullpen took over.

In the top of the fourth, left fielder Ryan Dos Santos tied the game 1-1 by hitting an RBI-double off London starter Jose Arias.

Wilgenis Alvarado took the ball to start the bottom of the fourth.  The Majors tagged him for one run in the inning and two more in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead.

Arias pitched six strong innings, then had to watch his bullpen fritter away the lead.  In the top of the seventh, first baseman Jordan Castaldo ripped a double off reliever Skylar Janisse, and scored on an RBI single by right fielder Marcus Knecht.

Top of the eighth, the Leafs grabbed the lead.  Facing reliever Travis Keys, they racked up four hits and three runs.  DH Mike Cecchetto, shortstop Jose Vinicio and third baseman Johnathan Solazzo each drove in a run and the Leafs led 5-4 halfway through eight.

The lead did not last long.  The Majors got one more run off of Alvarado to tie the game and end his night.  Things took a dark turn as Dustin Richardson emerged from the bullpen.  Unfortunately, he only threw one pitch before hopping off the mound, clutching at his leg as if favouring a hammy.  Richardson had to leave the game and Adam Marra was called in next.  Marra got out of the inning and both clubs remained tied after nine.  It was on to extras.

Both clubs had their wills tested in the tenth inning.  First, Toronto scored two runs to make it a 7-5 game, then London responded with two of their own to make it 7-7 after ten.

In the top of the eleventh the Leafs retook the lead.  Second baseman Dan Marra took his place as the ghost runner, and he moved to third on a groundout by centerfielder Connor Lewis.  Pinch hitter Charlie Towers drove him home with a double off of Braeden Ferrington and once again it was up to the Majors to provide a response.

Julian Valdez refused to let that happen.  He retired the home side in order to lock down an 8-7 FINAL, four hours and six minutes after the game's opening pitch.  He grabbed the win as Ferrington took the loss.

With the win, the Leafs moved up to eighth place in the IBL standings, a half-game ahead of their next opponents.

Toronto 8 14 3
London 7 10 3

(11 innings)

W - Valdez (3-1, 5.23)

L - Ferrington (2-1, 2.87)

BOXSCORE

Saturday, July 27, 2024 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Brantford Red Sox

On Saturday afternoon, Leafs hurler Sam Greene mastered the Red Sox over eight innings in Brantford.  (image: Brantford Red Sox YouTube) 

They kept their mojo working.

Fifteen hours after their triumph in London, the Toronto Maple Leafs came, saw and conquered the Telephone City with a brisk victory.

The Brantford Red Sox welcomed the Leafs to Arnold Anderson Stadium and the starting pitchers for both clubs commenced a duel.

Josh Laukkanen and Sam Greene traded scoreless innings until the top of the fourth.  First baseman Jordan Castaldo opened the frame with a single.  Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo drove him home with a double, and he ended up on third thanks to an error.  Right fielder Marcus Knecht punched a sac fly to right and Solazzo scored to give the Leafs a 2-0 lead through four.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Sox got on the board as Gus Wilson hit a sac fly to bring home a run and make it 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, the Leafs extended their lead.  Once again, Castaldo led off with a single.  Solazzo hit one too.  Knecht doubled and Castaldo crossed the plate.  With Solazzo on third, left fielder Ryan Dos Santos hit a sac fly and the Leafs enjoyed a 4-1 lead after six.

In the top of the eighth, the Leafs put this one away for good.  Laukkanen gave up a one-out single to Knecht, then handed the ball to reliever Isaiah Ramos.  The visitors teed off on Ramos with three more hits.  Second baseman Dan Marra hit an RBI double.  Centerfielder Connor Lewis and DH Mike Cecchetto each hit an RBI single and the Leafs led 7-1 through eight.

Greene was ruthless on the day.  He pitched eight innings and scattered seven hits while striking out five and walking three.  He kept Brantford from putting together any kind of sustained rallies.  After throwing 100 pitches he left the ball in the hand of reliever Chris Nagorski.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Carmines scratched out a run but Nagorski wrapped things up for a 7-2 FINAL and a "W" for Greene. 

Combined with other results, this win saw the suddenly-rampant Leafs move up to seventh place in the IBL standings, a game-and-a-half clear of the cellar.

Toronto 7 14 2
Brantford 2 9 1

W - Greene (2-2, 4.58)

L - Laukkanen (2-3, 4.47)

BOXSCORE

Sunday, July 28, 2024 - London Majors vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Angel Castro and Julian Valdez teamed up to give the London Majors a quiet day at the plate.

The Toronto Maple Leafs completed their Week 11 sweep with another decisive win.

A sweltering Sunday at Christie Pits saw the boys in blue defeat the London Majors 7-2.

Angel Castro and Julian Valdez teamed up to dominate Majors' hitters, holding them to six hits while striking out 11 and walking just a pair.

The Leafs opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning.  Second baseman Dan Marra led off with a single.  A couple more singles -- by right fielder Charlie Towers and shortstop Jose Vinicio -- moved him over and brought him in.  1-0 Leafs

In the bottom of the fourth, the Leafs extended their lead.  Catcher Justin Marra led off with a home run served up by London starter Victor Payano.  Next up was left fielder Ryan Dos Santos, who singled, stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Dan Marra, and scored on a wild pitch.  3-0 Leafs through four.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Leafs began to pile it on and the Majors found themselves battling on two fronts.  Centerfielder Marcus Knecht singled to open the inning, then moved to third on a single by Justin Marra.  Knecht scored on a wild pitch, the second wild-pitch run of the game for Toronto.  DH Jesse Hodges rapped a double to plate Marra.  Then with Charlie Towers back at the plate, Payano uncorked a pitch that struck the home plate umpire, the third such incident on the day.  Anyone who follows baseball knows that the first time something happens, it can be an accident.  The second time can be a coincidence.  The third time can see a pattern emerge.  The umpires paused the came for a conference, then abruptly tossed Payano from the game.  The Majors protested vehemently, to no avail.  The Leafs led 5-0 through six.

Bottom of the seventh, first baseman Jordan Castaldo clouted a solo home run to make it 6-0.

Castro pitched into the eighth inning.  Two Majors reached base on errors, and manager Rob Butler made the call for Julian Valdez.  Castro guarantees nine innings of entertainment whether he's in the game or not.  After departing the mound, he made his presence felt through the sheer volume of his voice as he screamed intermittently and kept a running dialogue with the players on the diamond.  A walk by Valdez loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed one run to score, and a second run scored on a ground out.  London had made it a 6-2 ballgame but that was as far as they would get.

In the bottom of the eighth, Castaldo hit an RBI single to make it 7-2.

Valdez returned to the mound in the ninth and set the Londoners down in order to clinch the 7-2 FINAL and the win for Castro.

London 2 6 1

Toronto 7 11 2

W - Castro (2-4, 7.25)

L - Payano (2-3, 2.55)

BOXSCORE

At the conclusion of Week 11, the Leafs have taken sole possession of seventh place in the IBL standings, 13 games behind the Welland Jackfish and a game-and-a-half clear of the cellar.  They are in striking distance of sixth place, just two games back of the Hamilton Cardinals.

Their next game?  It's against the Hamilton Cardinals.

The week ahead:

Wednesday, July 31 - Hamilton Cardinals vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 PM at Christie Pits

Saturday, August 3 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, 7:05 PM at Fergie Jenkins Field

Sunday August 4 - Guelph Royals vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 2:00 PM at Christie Pits