HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE RESULTS IN TORONTO LOSING BY THREE
Written by: Olivia Byrne
GUELPH—The Toronto Maple Leafs faced another uphill battle during tonight’s game against the Guelph Royals, one they ultimately could not win despite their best efforts.
Wilgenis Alvarado got the start today for Toronto and ran into trouble almost immediately, giving up a home run to Garrett Takamatsu after throwing just three pitches.
A 1-run deficit is manageable, but in the bottom of the 3rd, things got a lot more difficult for the Maple Leafs.
The Royals got things started almost right away, driving a single to right field, which got the first man on for the Royals. After just two pitches from Alvarado, Takamatsu hit another home run to make it 3-0 for Guelph.
From there, the trouble continued as Alvarado gave up back-to-back hits, giving the Royals their first runner in scoring position of the night. Just three pitches later, the ball was driven into right field, clearing the bases and extending Guelph’s lead to 5-0.
Following two consecutive groundouts, the end of the inning was within reach for Toronto. But the Royals were persistent, swinging at the first ball thrown across the plate and driving it down the left field line, bringing home another runner.
After five runs, the 3rd inning was finally over, and comeback time began in the top of the 4th.
Yasiel Puig was the first man up to the plate, taking two strikes before sending the ball into center field and hustling into second base.
A groundout from JJ Dutton and a flyout from Marcus Knecht had Toronto in danger of stranding their first runner in scoring position of the night. After seeing three pitches, Dennis Dei Baning came in clutch with an RBI double, giving the Leafs their first run of the night.
In hopes of keeping the momentum going, Spenser Ross had a patient four-pitch at-bat before driving the ball into center field, plating Dennis Dei Baning to make it a 6-2 ballgame.
What was once a small glimmer of comeback hope for Toronto quickly grew as Alvarado went three up, three down in the bottom of the 4th.
The Maple Leafs entered the 5th hoping to creep back into contention, setting the tone with two hard-fought battles at the dish from Crixtian Taveras and Dionysius Chialtas. Once again, Toronto had some two-out magic to work with as Brando Leroux singled to left field, bringing up Puig.
In a team effort, Puig worked the count while Leroux stole second base to get into scoring position. Puig would then drive the ball to left field, plating Leroux to cut Toronto’s deficit in half.
Another scoreless half-inning from Alvarado kept the good vibes going for the Maple Leafs, who were hoping to continue the comeback. Unfortunately, things began to shift in Guelph’s favour, as they shut Toronto down with just a five-pitch 6th inning.
Things in the bottom of the 6th were running smoothly, until a Royal singled and then stole second base to get into scoring position. A groundout from Leroux to Taveras plated the runner, making it 7-3 for Guelph.
After a walk and a single threatened another run, a pop fly was caught for the third out, and Toronto managed to come away relatively unscathed.
In the 7th inning, Toronto once again relied on the two-out magic that had been powering them throughout the game. After groundouts from Yordan Manduley and Taveras, Chialtas and Leroux drew back-to-back walks, putting Puig in another big spot. Puig swung for the hills on the third pitch he saw, ripping the ball past the shortstop and into center field, plating Chialtas to make it a 7-4 ballgame.
Despite their best efforts, the score remained 7-4 until the end of the game. It was a hard-fought battle, filled with team efforts and great at-bats.
UP NEXT: The Maple Leafs head home to face the London Majors on July 5. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.