MAPLE LEAFS COME UP JUST SHORT IN SLUGFEST AGAINST HAMILTON

Written by: Noam Streiffer

The Toronto Maple Leafs came within one run of defeating a tough Hamilton Cardinals team on  Wednesday night, but ultimately fell 14-13 to the Hamilton Cardinals at Dominico Field.

The Cardinals jumped on Leafs starter Wilgenis Alvarado early, as Brandon Nicoll led off the game with a solo home run to give Hamilton a 1-0 lead before Toronto had a chance to bat.

The Leafs answered immediately in the bottom of the second with a five-run inning. Matt Brandt got the rally started with a two-run single before Ben Sitarenios added an RBI single. Yordan Manduley capped off the inning with a two-run single to give Toronto a 5-1 advantage.

Hamilton responded in a big way in the third, reclaiming the lead with a five-run inning of its own. Brandon Nicoll launched his second home run of the night before Tyler Duncan drove in a run with an RBI double. Evan Magill then delivered the biggest blow of the inning, crushing a two-run homer to put the Cardinals ahead 6-5.

The Leafs once again had an answer in the bottom half of the inning as Matt Brandt blasted a solo home run to center field, tying the game at 6-6.

The momentum quickly shifted back in Hamilton's favor in the fourth. The Cardinals sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs, highlighted by RBI singles from Tyler Duncan, Jommer Hernandez and Reyny Reyes, while Darlin German also drew a bases-loaded walk to stretch the lead to 11-6.

Hamilton added another run in the sixth before the Leafs began chipping away.

Yordan Manduley drove home two runs with a double in the bottom of the sixth, and Toronto added another run later in the inning when JJ Dutton reached on a throwing error by pitcher Scott Gillespie, cutting the deficit to 12-10.

The Leafs continued their comeback in the eighth. With two runners aboard, JJ Dutton lined a two-run double to center field, scoring Manduley and Yasiel Puig to even the score at 12-12 and send the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Cardinals delivered one final blow in the top of the ninth when Jommer Hernandez launched a two-run home run to right field, putting Hamilton back in front 14-12.

Toronto refused to go quietly in the bottom of the inning. Yasiel Puig singled home Brando Leroux to bring the Leafs within one, but the Cardinals were able to record the final out moments later to escape with a 14-13 victory.

Despite the loss, the Leafs finished with 14 hits. Brandt led the offense with a home run and three RBIs, while Manduley drove in four runs and Dutton added four RBIs, including the game-tying double in the eighth. Puig finished with two hits and an RBI in the losing effort.

Up next: The Leafs take a road trip to Brantford on Friday night amidst a matchup against the Red Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.