MAPLE LEAFS PULL THROUGH IN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR WITH THE MAJORS

Written by: Noam Streiffer

The Maple Leafs bounced back after a tough loss on Saturday night, beating the league-leading London Majors 11-8 at home on Sunday afternoon.

Yadian Martinez took the mound for the Leafs and immediately surrendered a run on a solo shot to Maikol Escotto. However, he settled in for five and one-third innings of work, giving some much-needed rest to the Leafs' bullpen.

Toronto answered back in the bottom half of the first with a home run of their own. It was a two-run shot from Yasiel Puig, his first of two on the day. His second home run came in the bottom of the third, this one being a solo shot.

"Since we moved him up to the second spot, they have to pitch to him now. We got two good batters behind him. I think in the two-hole he's getting more pitches now than he was in the three," coach Brian Sewell commented postgame.

The Leafs then loaded the bases, and the Majors' starter, Cesilio Pimentel, surrendered a bases-loaded walk, but some good defense and well-timed strikeouts worked him out of the jam.

The Majors wouldn't go down easy. A solo shot in the fourth by Starling Joseph put them within two before a two-homer inning from David Draayers and Trent Lenihan gave them a 5-4 lead.

Toronto answered back once again with a two-run single from a red-hot Matt Brandt that brought Spencer Ross and Yordan Manduley in to score.

The Majors added another two-run shot in the top of the sixth by Adam Thuss, followed by an RBI single from Christian Inoa in the seventh to give them a two-run lead in the final third of the game.

However, it would be the bottom of the order that came up clutch for the Leafs. Yordan Manduley homered to center field, scoring Dennis Dei Baning and tying the game before Crix Taveras hit a solo shot of his own to give the Leafs a 9-8 lead.

Brian Sewell commented on Taveras postgame: "He's getting going at the plate, and he can play anywhere on the infield. He's really good."

The Leafs tacked on a couple of insurance runs when Dennis Dei Baning stole home and Mike Cecchetto singled to bring in Manduley, reaching the final score of 11-8.

"I told Rob (Butler), any chance for me to come home, I'm going to take my chances for the team. I did just that, and I happened to get lucky that time," Dei Baning commented when asked about his steal of home.

Luis Florentino locked down the final two innings. He struck out two, collected the six-out save and confirmed the win for the Leafs.

Up Next: The Leafs stay home to take on the Hamilton Cardinals on Wednesday night in a makeup game for a rainout earlier this season. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.