May 17 - Red Sox at Majors

Brantford Red Sox at London Majors

May 17, 2019 - Labatt Park, London

The Brantford Red Sox made the trek down the highway to London for their 2nd game of the 2019 IBL season.  Brantford was coming off an 11-7 opening day win in Toronto and looking to keep the momentum going. The London Majors were looking to notch their first win of the young Intercounty Baseball League season, having dropped decisions to Hamilton and Barrie.

It was a back and forth affair at Labatt Park all night in what would turn out to be a marathon game.  Mike Bannon got the start again for the Sox, as he did in Brantford's season opener in Toronto.  Brantford led off the scoring in the 2nd inning. Matt McGovern drove in Fernando Suarez, then Nick Zarzycki scored on a passed ball.  Brantford led 2-0 after 2 innings.

After London responded back with 2 runs in the 3rd, Brantford answered right back with 2 runs in the 4th when Zarzycki drove in Suarez, and Chris Iltshishin brought home Anthony Rizquez.  Brantford led 4-2 after 4 innings.

London responded back yet again with a pair of runs in the 5th, then took their first lead of the game with a run in the 6th.  London led 5-4 after 6 innings.

Brantford tied things up in the 7th, with Suarez driving in Quinton Bent.   The tie game was short lived however, as the Majors tagged relief pitcher Michael Bucci for 4 runs in the home half of the 7th.  Majors led 9-5 after 7 innings. 

Brantford rallied back in the 8th, loading the bases with one out. Zarzycki then scored when Toure Parpit-Sinclair was hit by pitch, and Iltshishin scored on a wild pitch. Nick Burdett then drove in a pair in a clutch at bat to tie the game 9-9 in the 8th.

The game remained tied as it headed into extra innings. Then, in the 10th inning Nick Burdett put the Sox ahead 11-9 courtesy a 2 run monster home run as it looked like we might finally get to call it a night. Unfortunately,  the game's back and forth trend continued and London responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning.  It was a tie game yet again, now 11-11 heading into the 11th inning. 

After over 5 hours the Majors finally broke the deadlock once and for all with a solo home run.  Final score: London Majors 12, Brantford Red Sox 11 in 12 innings. 

Pitcher Mike Bannon made his second start for the Red Sox, going 5.1 innings and allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 6. 

Matt McGovern, who started the game at 2nd base, moved to pitcher in the 8th and in an amazing effort threw 4+ innings of relief.  Michael Bucci and Corey Saunders also made relief appearances for Brantford. 

Quinton Bent and Fernando Suarez led Brantford  batters with 3 hits and 2 runs scored apiece. Matt McGovern and Nick Zarzycki added a pair of hits each, and Nick Burdett belted a 2 run home run, his first of the year.

Brantford Red Sox are next in action Sunday May 19 for their 2019 home opener, hosting the Guelph Royals at 2pm.

Game Info

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