Woodbine Racetrack Game Report: Jacober Brilliant as Leafs Win Game Two
TORONTO - All square.
The Toronto Maple Leafs beat the London Majors 9-6 on Thursday evening to even their best-of-seven IBL Finals series at one games apiece.
Toronto starter Sam Greene took a no-decision after allowing two earned runs on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout in three innings pitched.
Maple Leafs reliever Dylan Jacober delivered his best outing yet in the IBL, punching out 10 batters in five and one-third innings pitched.
The former Ottawa Titan allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks.
Toronto catcher Justin Marra had a slump-busting night at the plate, going four-for-four with a home run and hit by pitch.
The six-year Leaf was a triple shy of the cycle.
Maple Leafs catcher Franklin Hernandez picked up the save.
London starter Pedro De Los Santos took the loss after allowing six earned runs on seven hits and five walks in just four innings pitched.
LONDON - 6-7-2
TORONTO - 9-12-1
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: With the go-ahead run at the plate with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Hernandez got Majors third basemen Taylor Wright to ground out to first to end the ball game.
DID YOU SEE THAT? Another game, another bunt for a base hit by Maple Leafs designated hitter Damon Topolie.
The best bunter in the league.
BY THE NUMBERS...
8. Eight of the nine batters in the Leafs lineup got on base in game two, with only left fielder Greg Carrington failing to do so.
10. A career-high 10 strikeouts for Jacober. His previous high was seven against the Hamilton Cardinals in late July.
11. 11 runners left on base for the Leafs, compared to just five for London, in a game that easily could have been a blowout for the home side.
95. The Maple Leafs made De Los Santos throw 95 pitches in just four innings.
INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM...
Jacober on his outing: "It was a must-win game and I knew I was going to get the ball at some point in the game. I just wanted to translate the work I have been putting in away from the field onto the field tonight and the boys played great behind me."
Jacober on the great postseason he has been having: "It is a new level, I think. Not that regular season games don't matter -- because I love winning more than anything -- but there's just an added intensity in the playoffs since everyone makes it. I knew this was the time to dial it up."
Maple Leafs manager Garrett Takamatsu on Jacober's outing: "After each inning, we kept saying 'we are going to leave him out for one more', especially after the eighth given how efficient he was that inning. He did a perfect job for us -- exactly what we wanted. He is the reason why we won the ball game."
Jacober on the intensity of the game: "I felt the crowd tonight -- I felt the Bushmen. We played a great game tonight and you saw it with [Connor] Lewis moving a guy over on a bunt. We needed that."
Takamatsu on Marra's night at the plate: "It was just Marra doing Marra things. He is an impact bat and he really helped influenced the game today."
LOOKING AHEAD...
Game three goes in London on Friday evening.
Photo: Craig Aikin