Maple Leafs Weekly Recap - July 9 to 14, 2024
It was a short week for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they dropped one and won one, but remained at the bottom of the IBL standings.
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| The Leafs took a precious win against the Brantford Red Sox on Sunday at Christie Pits. (file photo) |
The runs. The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't scoring any runs.
In a short week with just two games on the schedule, the Leafs scored a single run against the Guelph Royals on Saturday. The following day, a four-run inning and a couple more later on carried them to victory against the Brantford Red Sox, but such innings have been far and few between in the summer of 2024.
Nine weeks into the season, the Leafs have given up the most runs, and only the Royals have scored fewer. It all amounts to a league-low run differential of minus-74. The next-worst club is the Kitchener Panthers at minus-52. Most other clubs are way away better.
It's been a frustrating season so far. The high-octane offense of recent years has sputtered, and with it the Leafs position in the standings. Midway through July they remain in last place, out of the postseason picture, something that would have driven Jack Dominico out of his skull.
The good news is that lots of baseball remains to be played. Luck cannot continue to go against this club as it has so far. At least that's the hope. Keep hope alive!
Here now is a recap of Week 9 in Maple Leafs baseball.
Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Toronto Maple Leafs @ Guelph Royals
Saturday night in the Royal City was a case in point of the Leafs' scoring problems this season.
Three hits, one run, and a defeat at the hands of the Guelph Royals.
A second inning sacrifice fly by second baseman Dan Marra was the only offensive output by the Leafs this night.
Guelph ace Jacob Kush went seven innings, giving up just two hits along the way. Angel Castro pitched into the fourth and was tagged for all five of Guelph's runs in a 5-1 FINAL.
Toronto 1 3 1
Guelph 5 9 1
W - Kush (3-1, 1.71)
L - Castro (1-4, 7.59)
Sunday, July 14, 2024 - Brantford Red Sox vs Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs won just their fifth home game on Sunday, beating the Brantford Red Sox 6-4.
A welcome rally in the bottom of the first saw the Leafs score four runs on four hits to take a lead that held through the afternoon. First baseman Jordan Castaldo, left fielder Ryan Dos Santos and right fielder Marcus Knecht all racked up RBIs to start the game.
Neither starting pitcher went far on the day. Brantford's Jeremias Sucre faced five batters before being relieved by Josh Laukkanen. Julian Valdez pitched one inning before Sam Greene took over for the Leafs.
Greene went five innings on the day and gave up two runs en route to his first win of the season.
Brantford 4 10 1
Toronto 6 9 1
W - Greene (1-1, 4.80)
L - Sucre (4-2, 4.88)
Nine weeks into the season, the Leafs sit in ninth place, 13 games behind the Welland Jackfish and a game-and-a-half behind Brantford for the final postseason spot.
The week ahead:
Wednesday, July 17 - Barrie Baycats vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 PM at Christie Pits
Thursday, July 18 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Kitchener Panthers, 7:30 PM at Jack Couch Park
Sunday July 21 - Chatham-Kent Barnstormers vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 2:00 PM at Christie Pits
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