Toronto snaps Panthers three game win streak
Posted Jul 14, 2016 01:24:15 AM.
Last Updated Jul 14, 2016 11:28:23 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Kitchener Panthers came into Wednesday’s game on a hot streak. Three wins in a row, scoring a combined 28 runs against Hamilton, Brantford and London last week.
The run support did not falter in Wednesday’s game in Toronto at Christie Pits. It was the pitching that could not hold it together in the 10-7 loss.
Maple Leafs hitter, Jon Waltenbury hit a double off Panthers pitcher David Whiteside. He was cashed in when Justin Marra came to the plate and hit his 8th home run of the season. The Leafs added two more hits to the first inning but could not score any more runs. 2-0 Maple Leafs.
The Leafs would add another run in the third inning. Johnathan Solazzo hit a single to get on base with no outs. Will Richards added a single which advanced Solazzo to third. The bases were loaded after an error by second baseman Mike Andrulis. Damon Topolie came to the plate but hit into a 4-6-3 double play, which scored Solazzo. Leafs lead 3-0.
Fast forward to the fifth inning, where Andrulis hits a single for the Panthers. Jonathan Brouse was able to take first base on an error by Maple Leafs third baseman, Solazzo. Panthers center fielder, Tanner Nivins flew out to left field for the first out of the inning, advancing both runners. Shortstop Colin Gordner struck out swinging for the second out. Sean Reilly came to the plate with two men on and Maple Leafs pitcher Mike Wagner walked him to load the bases. Justin Interisano seemed like the more favourable matchup for Wagner, however, that seemed to be one of the only mistakes of the night for Wagner. Interisano crushed a grand slam to give the Panthers their first and only lead of the game, 4-3.
Panthers pitcher David Whiteside was replaced by Matt Vickers in the bottom of the sixth inning. Whiteside went 5 innings, giving up 7 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), striking out two while walking four.
An error by third baseman Terrell Alliman put a runner on for the Leafs. Shortstop Ryan White and center fielder Connor Lewis both singled to load the bases for Toronto. Jon Waltenbury would single and cash in two runs. Catcher Justin Marra was up next and he added to the onslaught scoring another run on a single. Kitchener would then make a pitching change putting in Yuji Suzuki for Matt Vickers.
Vickers (0-2) could not manage to get an out in the sixth inning, giving up four hits and 5 runs (4 earned).
Suzuki would get the first out of the inning for the Panthers, then Solazzo would hit a three-run home run to put the Maple Leafs back in front 9-4. That would be the only inning that Suzuki would pitch.
In the ninth, the Panthers would try and put their rally caps on with Gordner at the plate. He would walk and advance to first. Sean Reilly would come to the plate and hit his 12th home run of the season to get the Panthers within three runs but the comeback bid fell short.
Mike Wagner (1-0) was solid in his IBL debut as a starter. He pitched a complete game, allowing seven runs (3 earned) on 10 hits, three walks and striking out 10. Wagner managed to throw 156 pitches, 97 of them called for strikes.
Panthers first baseman Justin Interisano was ejected in the 7th inning, he finished the night 1-for-3, hitting a grand slam (9th home run) and cashing in four runs (39). Sean Reilly was the designated hitter and went 2-for-4, with one home run (12) and two RBI’s (41).
The London Majors lost to the Brantford Red Sox 5-4 and that means the Panthers remain in first place by a half game.
A quick turnaround as both of these clubs will meet again Thursday night in Kitchener at Jack Couch Park. First pitch flies at 7:30 p.m.
