UNDER THE LIGHTS, THE M’s HARPOON THE HALOS TO EARN THE VICTORY AT CHRISTIE PITS
Game Post composed with files from Tim Burke and Scott Atkinson
Beneath a canopy of overcast skies, the Mariners defeated the Angels 14-5 in four innings of Mosquito Division action tonight at Christie Pits Diamond 2.
Here is a Mariners account of the game:
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It was a cloudy evening over Christie Pits when the Mariners put on their batting helmets to start the game.
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Coleman (13) cracked a double into deep dish pizza regions of centre field in the top of the first that was the longest Mariners blast of the 2015 season so far. Coleman’s shot drove in the first of four runs as the M’s took an early 4-0 lead.
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In the bottom of the 1st, the M’s held the Angels to one run with a big K by Mariners starter Joaquin (6) and a quick thinking double play by Max (14) and Coleman to force the Halos to leave their runners stranded.
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In the top of the second, respective singles from Reed (1), Coleman and Ben (10) allowed the Mariners to score four and widen their lead to 8-1.
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Mariners reliever Ben (10) took to the hill in the bottom of the second and struck out three to blank the Angels.
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The Mariners bats were scorching hot in the top of the third as singles from Cassius (4), Liam (9), Reed (1), Max and Coleman bumped the Mariners lead to 12-1.
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M’s reliever Coleman (13) took to the mound in the bottom of the third to get one strikeout. But the Angels offense was strong as they scored four runs to trim the deficit to seven.
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In the top of the fourth, the Mariners were able to score two insurance runs on Ben’s (10) single to into the hole.
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In the bottom of the fourth, M’s closer Cassius (4) got one strikeout and the Mariners defense assisted in preventing the Angels from scoring any runs to close out the 14-5 win.
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The Mariners bats are red hot! So the Lizzies had better be ready for the M’s next week!
Here is an Angels summary of the proceedings:
- Despite an impending rain forecast for Thursday evening, Mother Nature held the leaky skies at bay, obviously excited to see the first meeting between the Angels and Mariners for the 2015 Mosquito Division season on the last day of public school in Toronto before the summer holiday’s commenced.
- The top of the first proved challenging for the Angels as the Halos let in four runs to trail 4-0.
- Despite some impressive base stealing by Julien (8) and Maggie (4) in the bottom of the fourth, the Halos were only able to score a run to trim the deficit to three.
- In the top of the second, despite a heartfelt pitching effort by Angels reliever Myles (3), the M’s made the Angels struggles even rougher when some unstoppable Mariners base running led to another four runs (although the runs were mainly walked-in) and an 8-1 lead.
- The four run mercy rule was fully utilized by the Mariners in the top of the third as they widened their advantage to 12-1.
- In response, the Angels deftly loaded the bases at the bottom of the third. Matthew (11) stepped up to the plate with two outs and clobbered the ball deep into left field. Matthew’s mighty blast brought home Maggie, Jack (10) Alex (9) and himself and culminated in the first GRAND SLAM of the season for the Angels! The four run grand salami allowed the Angels to trim the margin to 12-5.
- With momentum in their wings, the Angels were obviously bolstered going into the fourth inning as the clock neared 9:00 p.m.
- A combination of solid pitching by Angels reliever Julien (8) and an in-field pop-fly catch by first baseman Maggie kept the Mariners at bay with two only runs in the top of the fourth.
- Trailing 14-5 and refusing to surrender, the Angels donned their rally caps in the bottom of the fourth and gamely loaded the bases once again in a feverish comeback bid. However, the score would remain that way to the end of the game due in large part to some strong Mariners pitching that sealed the deal on a hard fought win.
- Although the Angels lost on the scoreboard, their energy and spirit remained undiminished!