Majors fall to Barnstormers

Written by Dan Haugh / Photo by Matt Hiscox

The London Majors jumped out to an early 5–0 lead after three innings, but the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers scored in each of the next four innings to go on to record a 6–5 victory at Labatt Memorial Park on Friday night. With Friday's win, Chatham-Kent moves to within one game of the second-place London Majors, who are one game behind the league-leading Welland Jackfish, whom London will play on Saturday afternoon.

London starting pitcher Victor Payano left the game after throwing 88 pitches in his five innings, where he allowed just two runs on eight hits while striking out eight Barnstormer hitters. Ryan Beitel and Jonathan Henry each pitched one inning in relief of Payano, and Nate Bennett pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game and give the Majors a chance to tie or win in the bottom of the ninth inning.

In total, London had eight hits, all singles. Brad Verhoeven led the offence with three hits and three RBI. Toby Simmons had two hits and two RBI. Eduardo De Oleo, Champ Garner, and Ken Sugi each had one hit.

Mizuki Akatsuka picked up his second win of the season for the Barnstormers. He went eight innings, allowing five runs, only two of which were earned. Garrett Day earned his league-leading fifth save of the season as he ended a potential London rally in the bottom of the ninth with a game-ending double play.

Friday night’s game was the first of four games over the next five days for London. The Majors will travel to Welland on Saturday before returning home to Labatt Park for a Sunday afternoon contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and then on Tuesday, July 1st, for the annual Canada Day game versus the Barrie Baycats.