Majors blowout Maple Leafs

Written by Dan Haugh / Photo by Matt Hiscox

If you needed an example of the difference between first place and last place in the Canadian Baseball League standings, the London Majors provided evidence of that difference with their 17-1 shellacking of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Labatt Memorial Park Friday night. 

The Majors scored runs in only four different innings, but it was a nine-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning that broke the game wide open. While London's hitters were putting crooked numbers up on the scoreboard, their pitching staff turned in a very impressive performance despite being overshadowed by the offence. 

Starting Pitcher Victor Payano earned his fifth win of the 2026 season, shutting out Toronto over six innings on just six hits and three strikeouts without allowing any walks. Once again, the London bullpen was very efficient as Caleb Cassie and Alex Springer set the Maple Leafs down in order in the seventh and eighth innings. Kade Douglas pitched the ninth inning.

Seventeen runs on 19 hits was a very impressive performance, but what may have been even more impressive was that all nine Major's in the starting batting order had at least one hit. Third baseman Trent Linehan had four singles, two RBI and a run scored. Maikol Escotto led off the bottom of the first inning pounding a home run off the scoreboard in right-centrefield and then added a two-run home run in the second inning. Starling Joseph had a home run, two singles and five RBI Tucker Zdunich had a double, a single and a walk. Xavier Whittle had two hits, two RBI, a walk and three runs scored. Jarrett Burney, Eduardo De Oleo and Adam Thuss had one hit each. 

Friday night's blowout win brought London's record to 14-5, putting them in sole possession of first place in the CBL standings. Next action for the London Majors will be Sunday afternoon at 4:05 when the Hamilton Cardinals visit Labatt Memorial Park.