Payano's Gem, Offensive Outburst Lift Majors Past Red Sox
Written by: Evan Frederiksen / Photos By Mason Dawdy
Every time Victor Payano takes the mound, expectations naturally rise. Entering Monday's contest with a 3.22 ERA and fifty-nine strikeouts, the London Majors' ace once again showed why he has been one of the most dominant starters in the CBL this season. Back at Labatt Memorial Park against the Brantford Red Sox, Payano set the tone from the first pitch, backed by a consistent and dominant offensive performance as London earned a 16-3 victory over the Brantford Red Sox Monday night to open a stretch of five games in seven days.
The story of this matchup was written on both sides of the ball for the Majors. With the pitching staff dealing and the offence producing, London continued to show the complete identity that has made them one of the league’s toughest teams to face.
Majors pitching staff entering Monday’s contest:
The London offence, like many games this campaign, scored early, as Tucker Zdunich got things rolling with a solo home run to left field, putting London in front 1-0. Jordan Lewis and Jarrett Burney would then each hit RBI singles, extending the Majors’ lead to 3-0 after two innings.
Victor Payano got the nod for the Majors and was once again excellent, as the three-time All-Star was untouched through six scoreless frames.
Victor Payano’s Final Line Against Brantford:
(Photo by Matt Hiscox)
Connor Irvine got the start for the Red Sox and struggled through four and two-thirds innings, as the 25-year-old gave up seven earned runs on nine hits while striking out five.
The London offence continued to show discipline and patience into the third inning, adding two more runs on Cristian Inoa’s 11th home run of the season, extending the Majors’ cushion to 5-0. Inoa, who entered the contest 7-for-17 (.412) over his last five games, continues to be a hitter no pitcher wants to face.
The Majors didn’t let off the gas as David Draayers, who entered the matchup against the Red Sox 11-for-37 (.297) over his last five games, turned on the first pitch he saw from Connor Irvine for a two-run missile, scoring Starling Joseph and extending the Majors’ lead to 7-0 after five innings.
Red Sox reliever Jose Arias was then called upon for the bottom of the sixth and struggled with his command, walking two batters while allowing three earned runs and recording just one out. Cristian Inoa, Tucker Zdunich and Starling Joseph all drove in runs in the bottom half of the sixth as the Majors extended their massive lead to 10-0.
The Red Sox then managed to get on the board as Cassidy Watt hit a deep shot to left field, scoring the first run of the night for Brantford. Daniel Orfaly was the first arm out of the Majors’ bullpen, as the 21-year-old pitched two solid innings while giving up just one earned run.
(Photo by Matt Hiscox)
Maikol Escotto, who entered the matchup 9-for-23 (.391) over his last five games, continued his hot stretch by hitting his 10th home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field that extended London’s lead to 13-1. The Majors then capped off their unbelievable 19-hit attack with another three-run inning in the bottom half of the eighth. Maikol Escotto, Xavier Whittle and Ryder Hancock all contributed to the inning.
The Red Sox tacked on two more runs in the top of the ninth, but that was all the damage they could do, as Luis Perez recorded the final out to seal the victory for London.
Majors Key Performers:
Victor Payano: Payano pitched six phenomenal innings, striking out nine while earning his CBL-leading eighth win of the season. His season ERA now sits at 2.94, along with a 1.07 WHIP.
Maikol Escotto: Escotto went 4-for-6, drove in four runs, hit his 10th home run of the season and now leads the CBL with 62 hits.
Ryder Hancock: Hancock went 2-for-2 with an RBI and put together two impressive at-bats against the Red Sox pitching staff.
David Draayers: Draayers went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, hit his fourth home run of the season, and continues to see his season OPS rise, now sitting at .834.
Ryder Hancock, who was named Player of the Game, reflected on the strength of the Majors’ group and emphasized the importance of carrying their positive momentum into Barrie on Wednesday.
“I feel great. I think the whole team looks great. We’ve been playing some great baseball,” Hancock said. “We’ve got a good team in Barrie that we’re going to face, and we’re excited to head down there and play some good baseball against them. It’s always a fun time. We just have to keep doing what we’re doing.”
With the win, the London Majors move to 24-11 on the season and are now tied with the Welland Jackfish for the number one seed in the CBL.
CBL standings
Team W-L GB STRK
London will look to extend their winning streak to four games Wednesday when the Majors travel to Barrie to take on the Baycats at Athletic Kulture Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:38.