WOODBINE RACETRACK GAME REPORT: Majors Grind Out Game Three Win to Take Series Lead Over Leafs
LONDON - Just couldn't catch a break.
The London Majors beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 on Friday evening to take a 2-1 series lead in their best-of-seven finals matchup.
London starter Jose Arias picked up the win after tossing six innings of two-run ball.
The 2022 second-team All-Star struck out six on five hits and three walks.
Majors second basemen Jakob Newton continued his dominant playoffs, going one-for-four with a three-run home run and a walk.
London reliever Fernando Fernandez picked up a three-inning save.
Toronto starter Marek Deska took the loss after allowing four earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts in three and two-thirds innings pitched.
TORONTO - 3-8-1
LONDON - 6-12-0
BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME: Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning, Newton's three-run home run put the Majors in control for the rest of the night.
BY THE NUMBERS...
2. For the second time this postseason, Maple Leafs pitcher Dustin Richardson had to leave the game with an injury. The dominant lefty came out of the game after throwing warmup pitches prior to the bottom of the fifth inning. A truly unfortunate circumstance for the Leafs, whose pitching staff may be the best in the league when the former Boston Red Sox is healthy.
3.1. Between Richardson, Sam Greene, Chris Nagorski, and Franklin Hernandez, the Leafs bullpen did everything they could to keep their team in the game, allowing only one run in three and one-third innings pitched.
UP NEXT...
Game four goes under the lights in Toronto on Sunday at 7:30 pm.
Photo: Craig Aikin