Majors Complete Incredible Comeback to Stun Red Sox

Written by: Evan Frederiksen / Photo by Matt Hiscox 

Some teams in baseball can struggle to find their rhythm after an extended break, but for the London Majors, it was the complete opposite. Tuesday night's contest marked the beginning of the second half of the Majors' 2026 season, and London wasted little time making a statement. Combining clutch hitting with runners in scoring position, along with the bullpen putting up great innings, the Majors claimed an 8-7 victory Tuesday night over the Brantford Red Sox at Arnold Anderson Stadium.

Kade Kozak made his third start of the season for the Red Sox, and the left-hander battled his control through three innings of work. Pitching eight and two-thirds innings over his last two appearances, Kozak gave up four earned runs on three hits while walking four and striking out three in this contest. 

The Majors, as fans have seen throughout the season, got their offence clicking early, as London put up four runs in the top of the second inning. Tucker Zdunich had an RBI single, followed by a Jarrett Burney RBI single. Ryder Hancock also drove in a run with an RBI walk. Maikol Escotto capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Majors an early 4-0 lead.

Cesilio Pimentel made his eighth start of the season for the Majors and also battled through command issues, along with some tough luck on the mound. The 33-year-old threw 87 pitches and was unable to get through four innings, allowing five unearned runs on three hits while issuing four walks and striking out two. Caleb Cassie, Dustin Davidson and Skylar Janisse followed Pimentel in relief.

The Red Sox got on the board in the bottom of the second when Lucas Bateman lined an RBI single. After being held scoreless in the third, Brantford's bats came alive again in the fourth. Bateman drove in his second run of the game before Jakob Cantor followed with a two-run double, giving the Red Sox a 5-4 lead after four innings.

Jarrett Burney got the Majors right back into the game in the top of the sixth, lining an RBI double to drive in his second run of the night and even the score at 5-5. Brantford, however, wasted little time answering in the bottom half of the inning. Andrew Savage ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, putting the Red Sox back in front 7-5 after six innings.

Majors' Key Performances 

Jarrett Burney: Powered the offence with a 2-for-3 night, driving in two runs and continuing to be a consistent hitter in the Majors lineup.

Dustin Davidson: Pitched two and a third innings to keep the Red Sox offence quiet and continues to be one of the best relievers in the CBL. He also picked up his first win as a Major.

Skylar Janisse: Earned his CBL-leading sixth save of the season and his first save since June 13. His last three appearances have all been scoreless.

The Majors continued to chip away in the top of the seventh as Trent Lenihan, who entered the contest batting .449 against right-handed pitching, launched his ninth home run of the season off Red Sox reliever Anthony Porcellato. The solo shot pulled London within 7-6 and tied him with teammate Maikol Escotto for the CBL lead in home runs.

Dustin Davidson pitched a scoreless two and a third innings out of the bullpen and kept the Red Sox limited through the late innings. The 25-year-old All-Star continues to be one of the best relievers in the CBL.

Cristian Inoa, who was coming off being named the CBL Player of the Week, came through in the ninth with the Majors down to their final out, lining an RBI single into right field to tie the game at 7-7. The Majors didn't stop there, though, as Jaden Babuik put together one of the most impressive at-bats of the season, drawing an RBI walk to give London an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom half of the frame.

Then came Skylar Janisse, who entered the night tied for the CBL lead in saves. The fan favourite added to that total, facing the minimum in the ninth while striking out a pair to seal the victory for the Majors and earn his league-leading sixth save of the season.

The Majors now move to 18-9 on the season, 8-6 on the road, and are now in a first-place tie with the Barrie Baycats. London will look to carry its momentum into Friday, July 17, when the 7-18 Chatham-Kent Barnstormers visit Labatt Memorial Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.