AFTER THE GRITTY PHANTOMS STAGED AN AMAZING COMEBACK TO ERASE A 9-5 DEFICIT AND TAKE A ONE RUN LEAD, THE PESKY CARDINALS ANSWERED BACK WITH FIVE TO WIN A SIX INNING BATTLE ROYALE AT CHRISTIE PITS
Clockwise from top left: TP reliever Lex (10) pitched three strong innings against Royal York to keep the Phantoms within striking distance; Jeremy (19) is poised to deliver a 2 RBI single in the fourth to draw TP within one run of the Cardinals; Evan (11) delivered a 2 RBI single in the fourth that put the Phantoms in front 10-9; Raul (9) went 3 for 4 at the dish to spark the TP offense with three runs and two RBI’s.
Beneath a canopy of serene evening skies, the Royal York Cardinals defeated the TP Phantoms 14-10 in an exciting six inning Toronto Baseball Association (TBA) Rep Loop battle royale at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
The game was a well contested affair from the first pitch to the final out between two talented and well coached teams. It was a proceeding that offered nuggets of strong pitching, great hitting and sparkling defense.
Trailing 9-5, the Phantoms answered the clarion call and rallied for five in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead. Following a leadoff single by Adam (12), Carlos (17) and Michael (7) patiently drew back to back walks to load the bases. At this juncture, Raul (9) delivered a RBI single to bring Adam home and trim the deficit to three.
With one out and the bases still juiced, Jeremy (19) stroked a clutch two RBI single that brought Carlos and Michael homeward bound and pull TP to within one run.
Evan (11) followed with a grace under pressure two RBI single that allowed Raul and Jeremy to motor home with the Phantoms tying and go ahead runs.
With TP reliever Lex (10) spinning his magic on the mound, the Phantoms kept Royal York off the scoresheet in the top of the fifth and preserve their slender 10-9 lead.
The highlight of the inning was a superb defensive play turned by the Phantoms. With one out and the Cardinals tying run standing seventy-five feet away at third, Lex coaxed David (22) to hit a sharp grounder to TP third baseman Adam. Adam immediately threw to first baseman Jeremy to record the second out.
At this moment, Owen (0) made a bold dash from third for home in a bid to tie the proceedings. But Jeremy made a laser throw to catcher Evan, who blocked the plate and applied the tag on the wayfaring Cardinal to complete a 5-3-2 double play that allowed TP to escape the frame unscathed.
Royal York reliever Francesco (10) set down the Phantoms in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the fifth to keep his team within striking distance.
In the top of the sixth, Royal York seized their moment with destiny as they sent ten batters to the plate and rallied for five runs to retake the lead 14-10. With one out and a Cardinal on base, Blake (5) powered a RBI triple that tied the game. After a pair of Cardinal walks loaded the bases, Lucas (33) drew a free pass that allowed Michelangelo (93) to saunter home with the Cards go ahead run.
After Owen drew a bases juiced walk to force in another Royal York run, Liam (27) stroked a two RBI single to tack on additional insurance for the Red Birds.
Cardinal reliever Francesco set down TP in order in the bottom of the sixth to seal the deal on a hard earned victory.
In the top of the first, Royal York made the most of their opportunities to jump out to an early 3-0 lead. The Cardinals received key hits from Francesco (RBI sacrifice), Blake (double) and Lucas (RBI single).
The Phantoms replied with a run in the bottom of the first to trim the deficit to two. With a TP runner on base, Ami (28) delivered a RBI single to bring Raul home.
Royal York added three in the top of the second to extend their advantage to 6-1. The Cardinals utilized a key RBI triple by David and a RBI single by Michelangelo to pad their nest.
TP shortstop Raul combined with first baseman Jeremy on a pretty 6-3 double play to quell the Cardinals insurgency in the inning.
Cardinals starter Michelangelo (93) mowed down a pair of Phantoms in the bottom of the second to keep TP off the scoring ledger.
With some solid defensive help, Phantoms reliever Lex set down Royal York in 1-2-3 order in the top of the third to keep TP within striking distance.
The Phantoms offense surged to life in the bottom of the third as they exploded for four to trail 6-5. After a leadoff single by Michael, Raul stroked a RBI double bring Michael home. Ami followed with a RBI single to reel in Raul. And Jeremy continued the Copacabana action with a RBI single to bring in Ami. With one out, Pierce (13) delivered a RBI sacrifice to bring Jeremy home to roost.
However, the Cardinals responded in kind with three in the top of the fourth to stretch their lead to 9-5. A TP fielding error allowed David to turn a single into a round the bases run to lead off the inning. Royal York would receive a key RBI triple from Eli and a RBI double from Michelangelo to add to their ledger.