Majors fall in Extras

Written by Dan Haugh/Photo by Matt Hiscox 

It took over four hours and 11 innings, but the London Majors dropped a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night at Labatt Park. 

It appeared early on that London had the game in hand as starter Jose Arias cruised through the first six innings allowing only one run on five hits while striking out seven Leafs batters.

In the bottom of the first inning Toronto shortstop Jose Vinicio was unable to field an Eduardo De Oleo ground ball cleanly and Ty Mosher who had previously reached base on a four-pitch walk, scored to give London a 1-0 lead after one inning.

After the Maple Leafs tied the score in the top of the fourth inning when Ryan Dos Santos doubled home Johnathan Solazzo, the Majors tacked on a single run to take back the lead. That run was scored when Victor Plaz´s fourth double of the season drove home Byron Reichstein who had reached base on his second walk of the game.

The lead changed hands at least a few times after that until they got to the end of nine innings tied 5-5. 

Toronto scored twice in the top of the 10th inning, but a gigantic home run to left field by Drew Lawrence drove home ghost-runner Jagan Chanderdat who had been placed on second base to start the bottom of the 10th inning and sent the game to the 11th inning tied 7-7.

Toronto scored a single run in the top of the 11th inning, but the Majors were unable to counter in the bottom of the 11th.  Toronto reliever Julian Valdez retired London in order in the 11th to get the win. Braeden Ferrington took the loss. 

Overall the London Majors scored their seven runs on 10 hits. Each team committed three errors.

Drew Lawrence, Champ Garner and Starling Joseph had two hits each. 

Byron Reichstein had a single to go along with his two walks. Eduardo De Oleo. Victor Plaz and Charlie Bowman had one hit each. 

Last nights game was the first time this season that the Maple Leafs have been able to defeat the Majors at Labatt Park. The Maple Leafs and Majors will face each other again this Sunday at Christie Pitts in Toronto where they have split two previous contests this season.