Red Sox and Majors play 20 inning marathon

BRANTFORD - The Brantford Red Sox certainly didn’t get very much rest for Saturday’s New Era IBL All-Star Game.
            The host Red Sox and the London Majors hooked up in a memorable game Friday night in Brantford that stretched into the wee hours of Saturday morning, before the Majors finally pulled out an 8-7 win in 20 innings.
            After 10 scoreless innings, from the 10th through the 19th, the Majors scored twice in the top of the 20^th and the Red Sox answered with one in the bottom of the 20^th before the game finally ended – at 2:15 a.m., making for a six hour, 15 minute marathon with the 2009 New Era IBL All-Star Game starting less than 12 hours later in the same ballpark.
            The relief pitchers were the heroes in this one, as reliever Matt Brennan went seven innings for the win, allowing one run on eight hits. London used five pitchers, including starter Mike Delong, who allowed two runs on five hits over six innings. Mike Mitro, Adam Arnold and Aaron Boag also pitched in the memorable game for the Majors.
            Brantford reliever Robert Ramsdale went a heroic nine innings of relief, allowing two runs on eight hits and was the hard luck loser. Starter Scott Robinson lasted five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits, before Jordy Alexander and Stefan Strecker also pitched for the Sox.
            Ryan Cattryse had three hits, including a three-run homer, and Vince Burke and Jordan Dreiling both added three singles for the winners.
            Josh McCurdy had a three-run homer for the Sox and added a single, and Bryon Bell had two hits, including a double, and an RBI for Brantford.
            The teams left a combined 36 runners on base, with the Majors stranding 21 over the 20 innings. It’s believed to be the longest game in the IBL in the modern era, with league officials checking to confirm the all-time record this weekend.

LONDON                   200 100 300 000 000 000 02 – 8-21-2
BRANTFORD             010 003 101 000 000 000 01 – 7-16-1

            For more information on the IBL, visit the official site of the league at www.theibl.ca.

ROGER LAJOIE