SELECT > TP Minor Mosquito Selects Top Royal York 9-3


TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS PREVAIL OVER THE CARDINALS AT CHRISTIE PITS TO EARN THEIR FOURTH EBA SELECT VICTORY OF THE SEASON

THE DEFENCE RESTS > After taking the throw from catcher KJ (5), TP third baseman Desmond (3) tags out a sliding Brody (20) of the Royal York Cardinals to thwart his bid to steal third base in the fourth inning during an EBA Mosquito Select game at Christie Pits Diamond 2.

Beneath a pristine blanket of warm summer skies, the Toronto Playgrounds Minor Mosquito Selects defeated the Royal York (Boy) Cardinals 9-3 in 6 ½ innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Select action this afternoon at Christie Pits Diamond 2.

The proceeding was riveting and well played affair that was contested between two talented and well coached squads. With strong pitching from both teams, the game was a tight match until the final innings when TP made the most of their opportunities to pull away for the victory.

TP starter Nikolas (72) threw three strong innings against Royal York where he surrendered only two unearned runs to the Cardinals while striking out three.

After surrendering a leadoff single, TP starter Nikolas (72) would retire Royal York on a popup, strikeout and groundout in the top of the first to keep them off the scoring ledger.

TP would stake itself to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. After a two out walk and stolen base by KJ (5), Desmond (3) would deliver a single that put two aboard. With base runners at third and first, the Cardinals defence would commit an error that allowed KJ to bolt home with the first run of the game.

Royal York starter Andrew (10) would chalk up a popup, strikeout and  fly out in the first to quell the TP surge.

In the top of the second, the Cardinals would answer with a run to deadlock the proceeding 1-1. After reaching bases on a fielder’s choice, Marcus (9) would steal a pair of bases to advance to third. Isaac (2) followed with a clutch two out RBI single to bring Marcus home with the tying run.

TP starter Nikolas would strike out two in the second to subdue the Royal York insurgency.

TP reliever Liam (17) tossed three stellar frames where he allowed only one unearned run while mowing down three Red Birds.

The TP defence would turn in a nice 6-4 defensive play during the inning. Following a one out walk by Aiden (55), Marcus would hit a sharp grounder between third and second. However, TP shortstop Liam (17) would make a nifty backhanded catch on Marcus’ hot shot, and make a quick toss to second baseman Archie (9) to retire Aiden at second and ring up the second out.

With one out in the bottom of the second, TP would threaten after Duncan (14) singled and Troy (2) walked to put two mallards on the lake. However, Cardinals reliever Elliot B. (13) would enter the fray at this juncture and end the threat via a popup and groundout.

In 1-2-3 fashion, TP starter Nikolas would retire Royal York in the top of the third on a groundout and a pair of strikeouts to keep the Red Birds perched in their nest.

TP would tack on a run in the bottom of the third to retake the lead 2-1. After a leadoff walk, KJ would advance to third on a stolen base and groundout. A Cardinals faux pas would allow KJ to motor homeward with the go ahead run.

Royal York reliever Elliot B. would tally a strikeout and a pair of groundouts in the third to curb the TP thrust.

Refusing to blink, the Cardinals replied with a run in the top of the fourth to tie the game 2-2. With one out and a Royal York base runner at third, TP would commit an error that opened the door for Elliot T. (11) to dash homeward. In a close play at the plate, Elliot T. just managed to elude the tag attempt of TP catcher KJ to score the tying run.

TP reliever Liam (17) would tally a strikeout and groundout in the fourth to douse the Red Birds rebellion.

Elliot T. (11) of the Cardinals dodges the tag attempt of TP catcher KJ (5) to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning.

Liam also got a little help from his friends during the inning. With no outs and Cardinals runners at second and first, Brody (20) made a brazen bid to steal third. However, TP catcher KJ made a bullet throw to third baseman Desmond, who adroitly applied the tag on a sliding Brody to ring up the pretty 2-5 putout.

In the bottom of the fourth, TP would answer with three runs to retake the lead 5-2. Following a pair of one out walks by Duncan and Troy that put two ducks on the pond, Liam would deliver a RBI double to bring Duncan home with the go ahead run.

With two aboard, Nikolas stroked a two RBI single that allowed Troy and Liam to come home to roost.

Subsequently, with two outs and a TP runner at second, Royal York reliever Like (12) would register a groundout to bring the curtain down on fourth inning.

With 1-2-3 efficiency, TP reliever Liam would keep the Cards off the scoresheet in the top of the fifth with a strikeout and a little help from his friends.

TP closer Thomas (27) would allow only one run in the seventh as he sealed the deal on the victory over the Cardinals.

TP would shine brightly on two big defensive gems during the inning. After garnering a leadoff walk and stealing second, Isaac made a bid to take third. However, TP catcher KJ made a rocket throw to third baseman Desmond, who tagged out Isaac to chalk up the 2-5 putout and the first out.

Later, Andrew would earn a two out walk and make a bid to steal second. However, TP reliever Liam would make a lightning throw to second baseman Thomas (27), who tagged Andrew out on the 1-4 putout play and ring up the third out.

Royal York reliever Luke would retire TP in 1-2-3 fashion in the bottom of the fifth on a groundout, popup and strikeout to keep them off the scoring ledger.

TP reliever Liam would keep the Cardinals grounded in the top of the sixth on a strikeout and a pair of groundouts.

In the bottom of the sixth, TP would add four insurance runs to widen their lead  to 9-2. Following a leadoff walk by Troy and a single by Liam that put two runners aboard, Nikolas stroked a RBI single to plate Troy.

With one out and two otters on the pond, Desmond delivered a RBI single to bring Liam home to crow. On the play, the Royal York defence would commit a faux pas that allowed both Nikolas and Desmond to come homeward bound.

Cardinals reliever Luke would tally a pair of strikeouts and a fly out in the sixth to extinguish the TP insurrection.

Refusing to surrender, Royal York would score a run in the top of the seventh to trim the margin to 9-3. Following a leadoff single and two stolen bases by Marcus, Isaac would deliver him home with a RBI single.

TP closer Thomas (27) would ring up a groundout and a pair of popups to seal the deal on a hard fought victory.

The TP Minor Mosquito Selects (4-4) travel to Rotary Peace Park on Sunday, July 16 to play their next EBA Select game versus the Royal York (Girl) Cardinals at 2:00 p.m.