Brantford Red Sox Week 12 Wrap Up

THURSDAY AUGUST 3 - BRANTFORD RED SOX AT BARRIE BAYCATS POSTPONED

The Brantford Red Sox (6-26) kicked off their week with a the long trip up north to visit the Barrie Baycats (22-10). It was all for nothing, however, as the game was called after a half inning (score 0-0) due to thunderstorms. According to the Baycats' schedule the game will be made up on Wednesday August 16 at Vintage Throne Stadium with a 7:35 pm start.

SATURDAY AUGUST 5 - BRANTFORD RED SOX 4 LONDON MAJORS 13

Brantford (6-26) made a rare Saturday night visit to the London Majors (11-20). With 10 games left in the regular season,  the 8th place Red Sox's only chance to better their playoff position is to overtake the 7th place Majors, and with 3 games remaining vs. London each are critical matchups. 

Quincy Jones, the starter from Thursday's halted game in Barrie, got a second chance tonight in London. Unfortunately he did not make the most of the opportunity, struggling right from the start. Jones walked the first 2 Majors batters he faced, then gave up a 2 run double. By the end of 3 innings Jones' night was over and London held a 7-1 lead. 

Cris Ruiz briefly brought Brantford back into striking distance with a 3 run home run, cutting London's lead to 7-4. But Brantford's bullpen had a full-on collapse in the 4th, requiring 3 pitchers to escape the inning and leaving the Majors with a 13-4 lead and ultimately final score. 

Matt Fabian led the way of the plate with 3 of Brantford's 7 total hits. Brantford's batters didn't do themselves any favours, watching numerous strike 3 calls with a generous zone being employed on the night. Jake Lupton continued to impress in relief, pitching 3 scoreless innings and  striking out 5.

SUNDAY AUGUST 6 - BARRIE BAYCATS 9 BRANTFORD RED SOX 14

Brantford (6-27) kicked off a scheduled 4 game homestand with another matchup against the Barrie Baycats (22-11). The Red Sox have fared better at home than on the road this season, with 5 wins at Arnold Anderson Stadium. And the Sox have held their own with the red hot Baycats (currently ona 5 game winning streak), with a previous 20-15 win on July 9 and a narrow extra innings loss on June 17. All these trends would continue today.

Brantford and Barrie traded scores to start the game, with the teams tied 3-3 after 2 innings. But after the Baycats answered back with a trio of runs in the 4th, the Red Sox took their first lead of the game and wouldn't look back. Gus Wilson capped off the inning with a 2 run blast, his team leading 4th home run of the season. Brantford would then explode for 7 runs in the 5th inning to make it a 14-6 ballgame. Red Sox went on to win 14-9.

Great team effort for Brantford's offence, with every Red Sox batter reaching base at least once. Wilson and Matt Fabian led the way each with a trio of hits. Christian Kuzemka, Roger Keen, and Spencer Jamieson had a pair of hits each. Danny Howat pitched 3 and 1/3 innings of shutout relief and gets credited with the win. And veteran Graham Tebbit closed things out in an unexpected return to the mound. 

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Monday August 7 - Toronto Maple Leafs Brantford Red Sox

Brantford was supposed to wrap the week with a Civic Holiday game hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs, which was a makeup game from their previous rainout on July 15. However, mother nature clearly has it in for this series as rain now  cancelled the makeup game. A new game date and time will be announced in the upcoming days. 

WEEK 13 PREVIEW

With just 2 weeks and 9 games remaining in the regular season, the Brantford Red Sox are on their way to a likely 8th place finish - and opening round playoff matchup with whichever team wins the pennant. Still, anything can happen in the IBL in 2023, with the 2x defending champion London Majors struggling all season long, and even the first place Welland Jackfish having lost 4 of their last 5. The Red Sox still face Welland twice in the regular season, in what could be an opening round playoff preview. 

Three games ahead for Brantford this week:

• Friday August 11 vs. Welland Jackfish, 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium on Brant Beacon night at the ballpark. The Brant Beacon are our official media partner, and they will have Red Sox rally towels for fans in attendance, plus more fun & surprises!  
• Saturday August 12 vs. London Majors, 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium
• Sunday August 13 at Toronto Maple Leafs, 2 pm Christie Pits

The Brantford Red Sox were founded in 1911 and have won 15 Intercounty Baseball League titles. Tickets are available online at brantfordredsox.com/tickets. Read about the Red Sox in the Brant Beacon, the official media partner of the Brantford Red Sox. 

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