Woodbine Racetrack Game Report: Leafs Stun Welland in Shocking Game One Comeback Win
WELLAND - Can you believe it?
The Toronto Maple Leafs erased a 9-2 Welland Jackfish lead on Saturday to come back and win game one of their best-of-five semifinal series 15-10.
Toronto starter Angel Castro struggled on the mound, allowing six earned runs on 12 hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
He took a no-decision.
Maple Leafs reliever Marek Deska picked up the win after tossing 2.2 scoreless innings in relief of Castro.
Toronto shortstop Jose Vinicio had a career-night at the plate, going five-for-seven with a home run.
Not to be outdone was a trio of his teammates.
Catcher Justin Marra went three-for-six with a mammoth two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to extend the Leafs lead to 13-10, while right fielder Marcus Knecht went three-for-six with a two-run home run of his own in the top of the ninth inning to extend the Leafs lead to 15-10.
Designated hitter Damon Topolie went three-for-four with two hit by pitches.
Welland starter Jake Harford took a no-decision in the worst start of his IBL career.
The American allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits and one walk in 4.2 innings pitched.
Jackfish reliever Chris Boatto took the loss after allowing two earned runs on four hits in 1.2 innings pitched.
TORONTO - 15-21-2
WELLAND - 10-14-1
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Down a run in the top of the seventh inning, Marra came up with a two-out, two-run base hit to give the Leafs their first lead of the night.
They led the game the rest of the way.
BY THE NUMBERS...
1. Just one walk allowed from the Leafs pitching staff.
5. Between Vinicio, Marra, Knecht, third basemen Johnathan Solazzo, Maple Leafs centre fielder Connor Lewis, and Topolie, the Leafs combined to have five batters reach base at least three times.
5.2. 5.2 innings of one-run baseball from the Leafs bullpen trio of Deska, Sam Greene, and Franklin Hernandez.
9. As usual, all nine batters in the Leafs lineup reached base at least once.
.563. Topolie is now leading the Leafs in batting average this postseason with a .563 average.
LOOKING AHEAD...
A quick turnaround for both teams as the series shifts to Toronto for a 2 pm start on Sunday.
Photo: Craig AikinĀ