Draayers' Five RBIs Power Majors Past Red Sox
Written by: Evan Frederiksen / Photos By Mason Dawdy
Few offences have been as dangerous as the London Majors' this season. Entering Tuesday's matchup, London led the CBL in home runs while also ranking among the league leaders with a .312 team batting average, a .506 slugging percentage and an .898 OPS. Against a Brantford pitching staff carrying the CBL's highest ERA (8.64) and WHIP (2.14), the stage was set for the Majors' offence to make an impact. In the end, London did just that, using a massive eighth-inning outburst and efficient pitching to defeat the Red Sox 8-3 in a full team effort at Arnold Anderson Stadium.
(photo by Mason Dawdy)
Connor Irvine got the start for the Red Sox and was very efficient. The 25-year-old pitched six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out seven.
Both offences were quiet through the first three innings, as Luis Perez, making his first start for the Majors, was extremely efficient, needing just twenty-three pitches to record nine outs.
The Majors then got on the board first in the top of the fourth, when David Draayers lined a two-run RBI double to left field, giving the Majors a 2-0 lead. Draayers continues his hot stretch as he entered the game 9 for his last 33 and continues to be a major threat wherever he hits in the lineup.
The Red Sox responded in the bottom of the fourth, as Christian Ortega hit a sac fly to left field, scoring Brody Black and cutting the Majors' lead in half to 2-1.
Luis Perez continued his efficient outing, pitching a scoreless fifth inning before running into some trouble in the bottom of the sixth. Christian Ortega drove in a run with an RBI double to centre field before Tim Holyk followed with an RBI single to left. Despite allowing three earned runs, Perez gave the Majors exactly the quality start they needed, relying on his electric fastball, cutter and sharp breaking ball to keep Brantford's hitters off balance for much of the afternoon.
Luis Perez’s Final Line in Brantford:
Daniel Orfaly also made his debut for the Majors and was effective in his two innings of work, allowing just four hits while striking out a batter and earning the win.
The top of the eighth rolled around, and the Majors' bats caught fire. Trent Lenihan got it all started by lining an RBI single to centre field, tying the game at 3-3. David Draayers then came through with another clutch two-out hit, this time ripping a three-run double to deep centre field off of one of the CBL's top closers, Jorge De La Cruz, giving the Majors a 6-3 lead. Jarrett Burney then capped off the five-run frame with an RBI single of his own, giving the Majors a comfortable 7-3 lead in the eighth.
(Photo by Mason Dawdy)
Cristian Inoa then capped off the Majors’ ten-hit attack with a solo home run to right field to extend the Majors' cushion to 8-3. Caleb Cassie was then called upon and recorded three outs on five pitches to seal an impressive team effort from the Majors.
Majors Key Performers:
David Draayers: After being named ‘Player of the Game Against Barrie on Friday’, Draayers continues his red-hot stretch with a 2-for-4 afternoon, driving in 5 runs.
Luis Perez: Perez was nothing but efficient through his six innings of work, giving the Majors valuable depth and will be a massive part of the Majors pitching staff heading into August.
Trent Lenihan: Lenihan is now 5 for his last 8 and put forward a 3-for-4 afternoon against the Red Sox and started the massive 5-run-eighth for the Majors
The Majors improved to 20-10 on the season and 9-7 on the road, moving into a tie with the Welland Jackfish for first place in the CBL. The standings will shift tonight, though, with Barrie, Guelph, Hamilton and Welland all in action this evening.
CBL standings (after Majors beat Red Sox, things will change tonight)
Team W-L GB STRK
The Majors will look to extend their winning streak to three tomorrow, when the Hamilton Cardinals will be at Labatt Memorial Park; first pitch is set for 4:05.