Woodbine Racetrack Game Report: Leafs Bounce Back with Blowout Win Over Cardinals
HAMILTON - A response.
Five days after losing to the Hamilton Cardinals on Sunday, the Toronto Maple Leafs responded with a 13-2 win over the Cardinals on Friday evening to improve to 22-15 on the season.
With the loss, the Cardinals drop to 10-27 and have their season-long four-game winning streak snapped.
Toronto starter Marek Deska was sharp in an opening role.
The veteran right-hander pitched three shutout innings, allowing only one hit and one walk in the process while striking out six Hamilton batters.
Maple Leafs reliever Dylan Jacober picked up the win after tossing four innings of one-run ball on two hits, one walk, and three strikeouts.
Toronto centre fielder Connor Lewis continued his recent hot streak by going four-for-six.
Hamilton starter Adrian Salcedo took the loss after allowing four earned runs on four hits and three walks in three innings pitched.
TORONTO - 13-15-1
HAMILTON - 2-4-5
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: After a lead-off walk to Maple Leafs shortstop Jose Vinicio, who then advanced to second on a wild pitch, Maple Leafs catcher Justin Marra hit an RBI double to give the Leafs a 1-0 lead.
Marra would then come around to score on a base hit from Maple Leafs right fielder Marcus Knecht.
BY THE NUMBERS...
2. The Leafs magic number to clinch home-field advantage for their likely first-round matchup against the Barrie Baycats is now at two. Meaning, that the Leafs just need a combination of two wins or two Baycats losses to clinch home-field advantage.
4. Maple Leafs designated hitter Dan Marra made his return to the Leafs lineup after missing the last four games with an injury to the face.
9. All nine batters in the Leafs lineup got on base, with eight recording hits. Only Dan Marra failed to record a hit but he managed to reach base via a walk in the top of the seventh inning.
10. The Leafs drew ten walks on Friday, highlighted by Justin Marra collecting four and Vinicio and Knecht collecting a pair each.
LOOKING AHEAD...
The Leafs take on the Guelph Royals in Guelph tomorrow before hosting the Brantford Red Sox for the third and final time this season.
Photo: Craig Aikin