Maple Leafs Use Eight Run Fifth Inning to Beat Majors in London
LONDON -- The bats are hot.
The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the London Majors 13-10 on Friday evening to improve to 13-11 on the season.
With the loss, the Majors go to 16-6.
Toronto starter Dylan Jacober took a no-decision after a rough outing.
The former Western Mustang allowed eight earned runs on ten hits and three walks in his London homecoming.
Maple Leafs reliever Ryan Wells picked up the win after a brilliant outing in relief.
The Georgia Highlands righty allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk in four and two-thirds of an inning pitched while striking out five London batters.
Toronto reliever Adam Marra picked up the save.
The Leafs were led at the plate by Johnathan Solazzo, who went three-for-five, highlighted by hitting a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning for his second home run of the year.
London starter Pedro De Los Santos took the loss after allowing ten runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks in four and one-third of an inning pitched.
The former Maple Leaf did no favours for himself on the night, committing two errors on his own in the first inning.
TORONTO - 13-14-0
LONDON - 10-13-3
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Up 9-8 in the top of the fifth inning, Maple Leafs shortstop Jose Vinicio hit his first career IBL home run with a blast to right field to extend the Leafs lead to 12-8.
BY THE NUMBERS...
2. Maple Leafs first basemen Jordan Castaldo and Soalzzo went back-to-back in the top of the fifth inning. Castaldo's home run cut the Majors lead to one before Solazzo tied the game at eight.
4. A four-out save for Marra, who has been the unsung hero of the Leafs team this season.
6. Castaldo's fifth-inning home run moves him into a tie with Maple Leafs catcher Justin Marra for the team lead in home runs with six.
9. All nine batters in the Leafs lineup reached base at least once, with Aidan McAskie being the only one not to record a hit. Even then, McAskie, who should be the frontrunner to win Rookie of the Year, reached once on a walk.
30. The Leafs have scored 30 runs in their last three games.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Leafs close out their busy week on Sunday when they host the Hamilton Cardinals.
Photo: Craig Aikin