FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS, THE CARDINALS CRUISE TO A VICTORY OVER TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS AT CHRISTIE PITS
TAG TREATMENT: After taking a throw from second baseman Dexter (10), TP third baseman Vincent (3) deftly applies the tag on a siding Ryan (32) of the Royal York Cardinals to complete the 4-5 putout play in the top of the fifth and record the second out of the inning at Christie Pits Diamond 3.
Beneath a layer of tranquil summer skies, the Royal York Cardinals defeated our Toronto Playgrounds Rookie Ball Selects 12-2 in seven innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Select action this evening at Christie Pits Diamond 3.
Taking full advantage of fifteen hits in the first three innings, Royal York built a 12-0 lead after 2 ½ innings of play. After scoring three in the first and another two in the second, the Cardinals blew the game wide open with seven runs in the top of the third. The big blast during the frame was a three RBI triple by Rocky (16).
In the bottom of the third, TP answered with two to trim the deficit to ten, With one out, Charlie (7) doubled and Lewis (13) singled to put two runners on base. Dexter (10) and Jordan (23) followed with respective RBI singles to bring Charlie and Lewis home.
However, that was as close as TP would get to catching the Cardinals, The game turned into a defensive tour de force for the remainder of the proceedings as both teams played stellar air tight defense to keep each other off the scoreboard for the final four innings.
Despite generating twelve hits during the game, TP was unable to make the most of those offensive opportunities. The solid defensive play of the Cardinals played a huge part in that scenario as Royal York was consistently able to make a big play when necessary to stymie any offensive momentum generated by the Rookie Ball Selects.
From the Toronto Playgrounds perspective, the team took heart over the fact that they played some solid defense during the course of game. This was evident during the final four innings as TP kept the potent Cardinals offensive machine off the scoresheet.
Here are some of the TP defensive highlights:
- TP shortstop Charlie caught a searing hot tamale line drive off the bat of Ryan (32) of the Cardinals in the top of the first to rob him of a sure hit.
- With Drew (91) of the Cardinals hustling to stretch his double into a triple in the top of the second, the TP defense turned in a superb 8-4-5 putout to erase the threat. Centre fielder Lewis made a great throw to second baseman Dexter, who in turn made a laser throw to third baseman Vincent (3), who applied the D.O.A. tag on Drew for the first out of the inning.
- Third baseman Vincent cradled a hot shot off the bat of Nico (2) of the Cardinals and made a stellar throw to first baseman Daniel (8) to complete a nice 5-3 putout for the third out in the second.
- Shortstop Charlie sacrificed his body as he fell backwards in an awkward manner to catch a mile high pop up off the bat of Adam (24) of the Cards to record the unassisted second out in the top of the fourth.
[Additional game post to follow.]