Longballs lead Leafs past Cards

Photo by CAPS Sports Photography

TORONTO – Down to their final strike in the ninth, Justin Marra and Jordan Castaldo hit back-to-back solo home runs to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to an 8-7 win over Hamilton Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.

Marra tied it on a 2-2 pitch – the eighth pitch of the at bat – and Castaldo won it on the first pitch he saw from Hamilton reliever Daury Torrez, who allowed three runs on four hits with a strikeout in an inning of work.

Marra finished with two hits and two RBI, Johnathan Solazzo went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Damon Topolie had two hits and two RBI, Connor Lewis drove in a run and Luca Boscarino went 2-for-5 and scored twice.

Chris Nagorski allowed a run, a walk and two hits in an inning to pick up the win. Leafs starter Dylan Jacober went five innings and yielded five runs (four earned) on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Toronto improved to 9-6.

Anthony Buonaiuto led the Cardinals (4-8) with three RBI. Justin Gideon hit a solo home run, Tyler Duncan drove in a run and scored, Josh Niles had two hits and a run and Sean Pettener had two RBI.

Starting pitcher Sam Turcotte lasted five innings and allowed a run on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts.