TAKING NO PRISONERS, THE ATHLETICS TAKE DOWN TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS AT CHRISTIE PITS
In four at bats, Nolan (13) powered the Annette offence by going 3 for 4 at the dish [triple, two singles] with two runs scored and three RBI’s against TP.
The lopsided affair was an entertaining contest between two talented teams. In the end, the A’s took care of business as they rolled to their fifth victory of the season.
[Editor’s Note: The Wednesday TP-Annette proceeding was originally scheduled to be played back on May 27 at Ravina Gardens. However, the A’s requested that the game be rescheduled because they were participating in a tournament that weekend. In order to make up for that game, the rescheduled game was played at TP’s home field at Christie Pits last night, and as such, Annette was the official home team.]
Eitan (19) delivers a double for TP in the second inning. Eitan would subsequently come home with TP’s first run on Lukas’ (23) RBI single.
With 1-2-3 efficiency, Annette starter Lochlan (19) retired the top of the TP batting order with three strikeouts in the top of the first to keep them off the scoring ledger.
Feasting upon a TP buffet serving of seven walks, the A’s sent thirteen batters to the plate in the bottom of the first as they staked themselves to an early 7-0 lead. The Athletics uprising was keyed by a two RBI triple by Nolan (13) and a two RBI double from Owen (7).
A sacrifice hit by Jamie (5) brought home a run and respective bases loaded RBI walks by Gregory (2) and Joseph (21) brought home another pair.
TP starter Charlie (6) would chalk up a pair of groundouts and a strikeout in the first frame to curtail the Annette insurgency.
In the top of the second, TP answered back quickly to trim the shortfall to six. Following a leadoff double by Eitan (19), Lukas (23) delivered a RBI single to bring Eitan home with TP’s first run of the game.
With one aboard, Zach (24) stroked a single and Niko (2) would be hit by a pitch to load the bases.
As A’s third baseman Lochlan (19) reaches for an overthrown ball from his catcher, Jack (4) reaches third on a steal of third in the third frame and would come home on the error to score TP’s second run.
Athletics reliever Nick (8) would extricate himself from the sticky wicket in the second by tallying a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to leave the bases loaded and extinguish the TP threat.
Annette sent a conga line procession of nineteen batters to the dish in the bottom portion of the second frame and exploded for thirteen runs to stretch their advantage to 20-1. Chowing down upon a Big Mac serving of nine walks, the A’s attack was spearheaded by respective RBI singles by Owen and Nolan, a two RBI single from Owen, and a RBI single by Joseph.
With two outs and the bases loaded, TP third baseman Liam (13) ended the Athletics insurrection in the second when he snagged a scorching hot tamale line drive in the shoestrings of his trusty mitt to ring up the third out.
TP would reply with a run in the top of the third to close the margin to 20-2. After reaching base on a catcher’s interference call, Jack (4) brazenly stole second and third. The A’s defence would commit an error on his theft of third, allowing Jack to motor home with a run.
TP’s Guillermo (14) eludes the outstretched tag attempt of Annette shortstop Emmett (1) in the third inning.
Annette reliever Gregory (2) would coax a fly out and two strikeouts in the third to snuff out the TP mutiny.
The A’s would tack on an insurance run in the bottom half of the third to increase their lead to 21-2. With one out and runners at third and first, Jamie hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed Owen to come home to roost.
TP reliever Eitan (19) would chalk up three groundouts in the third inning to douse the Athletics rebellion.
Kudos to TP second baseman Michinari (51) for making two solo putouts on a pair sharply hit ground balls by Annette in the third frame.
Refusing to surrender to their fate, TP gamely rallied with a run in the top half of the fourth. Following a leadoff walk, Lukas (23) would swipe his way around the horn to advance to third base. An A’s faux pas on his theft of third would allow Lukas to shuffle home with a run.
With two aboard, Annette closer Nolan (13) struck out three in the fourth to seal the deal on the Athletics victory.
The TP Major Mosquito Selects (1-1) continue their EBA Mosquito Select Loop homestand at Christie Pits Diamond 2 on Sunday (June 10) when they host the Royal York Red at 6:00 p.m.