Brantford Red Sox Week 9 Wrap Up

JULY 14 - GUELPH ROYALS 9 BRANTFORD RED SOX 6

The rebounding Brantford Red Sox (4-20), winners of 2 straight and in the midst of a 4 game homestand, opened the weekend hosting the Guelph Royals (7-15). With Jeremias Sucre starting for the Sox, Brantford had a decent chance to extend their winning streak.

Guelph opened the game with a run, but Brantford responded with a pair to take a quick 2-1 lead. After a scoreless 2nd inning and getting 2 quick outs to start the 3rd, Sucre found himself in trouble walking the next 2 batters. Unfortunately for Brantford, what should've been a routine pop up to end the inning was dropped by third baseman Justin Murray. Murray then compounded things with a lackadaisical toss to first which cleared the baseline fence, allowing 2 Royals to score. Guelph would end up plating 3 unearned runs to take a 4-2 lead. 

The teams battled back and forth trading runs, ending up tied 5-5 after 6. Tensions then boiled over in the 7th inning. Guelph DH Justin Interisano somehow took issue with Brantford SS Gus Wilson, as he slid into Wilson's ankles unsuccessfully trying to break up an inning ending double play. Benches emptied and pleasantries were exchanged by both sides, but cooler heads eventually prevailed. 

Wilson would take the high ground and let his bat do the talking in the 8th, doubling in Matt Fabian to give Brantford a 6-5 lead. The Red Sox were 3 outs away from a 3rd straight win entering the 9th, but it wasn't meant to be on this night. Guelph scored 4 unanswered runs to take a 9-6 win.

Kieran Bowles led the way at the plate for Brantford, continuing to swing a hot bat going 4 for 5. Gus Wilson and Christian Kuzemka each also contributed a trio of hits. Jeremias Sucre went 5 innings, striking out 5 while giving up 4 runs (just 1 earned) on 6 hits. Justin Murray, signed by Brantford before the game after being released by Toronto, not off to a great start with the Red Sox going 0-4 at the plate while also misplaying 2 foul balls in addition to his crucial error in the 3rd inning. 

July 15 - Toronto Maple Leafs at Brantford Red Sox

Rained out -  makeup game to be played on the Civic Holiday, Monday August 7 at 2 pm

JULY 16 - BRANTFORD RED SOX 4 KITCHENER PANTHERS 6

Brantford (4-21) wrapped their rain-abbreviated weekend visiting the Kitchener Panthers (15-10). Rain would also impact this game, with a weather delay in the top of the 5th inning. At the time, Brantford trailed 3-0. 

The delay necessitated pitching changes on both sides which immediately worked to Brantford's advantage,  scoring 4 when the game resumed. But Kitchener's bats didn't go to sleep during the delay, as the Panthers added a pair to retake a 5-4 lead. Kitchener would tack on an insurance run in the 6th, and Brantford wouldn't threaten again until the 9th but gave up 2 outs on the basepaths on their way to the 6-4 loss. 

For Brantford: Starter Danny Garcia went a rain-shortened 4 innings, giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits. Newcomer Brian Williams was tagged for 2 runs on 3 hits in an inning of work. And Aidan Armitage continues to settle in nicely, going 3 innings and allowing just 1 run on 3 hits. Christian Kuzemka and Taichi Nakamura each had a pair of hits for the Red Sox.

Week 10 Preview

Busy week ahead for the Brantford Red Sox with 4 games (including a home & home against our friends the Guelph Royals):

• Tuesday July 18 at Guelph Royals, 7:30 pm Hastings Stadium
• Friday July 21 vs. Guelph Royals, 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium. It's Brant County SPCA night at the ballpark, receive 1/2 price admission to a future game with a cash or wishlist donation to the SPCA
• Saturday July 22 vs. Hamilton Cardinals, 8 pm Arnold Anderson Stadium. Meet author Paul Allen, author of Bright Lights, Black Stars.
• Sunday July 23 at Toronto Maple Leafs, 2 pm Christie Pits 

The IBL signing deadline is on July 24, so the Brantford Red Sox have the upcoming week to finalize this season's roster. Please monitor the IBL's transactions page for any updates.

The Brantford Red Sox were founded in 1911 and have won 15 Intercounty Baseball League titles.  Digital single game tickets, flex packs, and season passes 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, and follow @IBLRedSox on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Stream all of our home games on our YouTube channel.