Leafs Can't Complete Comeback in Loss to Majors
LONDON -- Not their night.
The London Majors avoided a scare from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the ninth inning to beat the Maple Leafs 4-2 on Friday evening to improve to 5-1 on the season.
With the loss, the Leafs fall to 3-5.
London starter Jose Arias continued his dominant start to his IBL career, throwing eight shutout innings on nine strikeouts, no walks, and just two hits.
Majors designated hitter Cleveland Brownlee went two-for-four with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.
Toronto starter Yusei Taraoka took the loss in his IBL debut, tossing five innings of one-run ball while striking out two London batters on three hits and one walk.
TORONTO - 2-6-1
LONDON - 4-8-0
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: With the go-ahead run at the plate in the ninth inning, Majors reliever Braden Ferrington got Maple Leafs right fielder Luca Boscarino to fly out to end the game.
BY THE NUMBERS...
4. Between Tararoka, reliever Ryan Wells, Boscarino, and catcher Noah Murciano, the Leafs had four players make their Leafs debut on Friday. It was needed, with Justin Marra and Greg Carrington missing from Leafs lineup.
5. If there is one positive from the loss, it would be that the pitching staff did their job for the second game in a row. They have allowed just five runs in their last two games.
5. In all five losses this season, the Leafs have brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Leafs return home on Sunday to host the Guelph Royals for the first time this season.
Photo: Craig Aikin