Brantford Red Sox: Home woes ended?

It was Strickland’s Night at Arnold Anderson Stadium on Friday August 3rd as the Brantford Red Sox battled London trying to double-down on their win Wednesday. The team beat Hamilton for a rare home win that night (below).

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Their home record is something Brantford needs to clean up before the playoffs if they’re going to win a series.

Out to throw the ceremonial first pitch was Strickland’s own, salesman Conrad Vlietstra. Vlietstra (below) in all his lanky glory, guaranteed a Red Sox win if he threw a strike. After the pitch, Vlietstra was non-committal as to whether the pitch was in there or not. 

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Fans were shocked to see manager Wayne Forman slotted in the lineup. Not only was he in the lineup, but he was playing catcher and hitting first. 

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Shockingly, it was not Euclides Leyer on the mound (and that’s probably only because he pitched on Wednesday– and he pitched a gem at that. 7.2 innings pitched yielding zero runs on four hits in achieving the home win).

Instead, pitching tonight for Brantford was Jose Bautista (below, picture via Crystal Young Photography).

He had a tough first inning, giving up two runs in the top of the first. London commentator John Palmer called Bautista’s first inning a, “struggle.”

As Brantford found themselves at the plate, it was revealed that DeAndre Heath opted to drop the Asbury from his name, according to Pointstreak’s Chad Pomerleau. Brantford hoped that removing the Asbury from his name wouldn’t remove the power he has shown for the Red Sox (eight homeruns in just 14 games).

Heath fielded offers from Strickland’s for a car in exchange for an unspecified amount of dingers (homeruns).

Bautista settled down nicely and didn’t give up a hit after the first until the fourth inning with two outs.

In the fifth frame, London had three hits yet scored zero runs as Bautista managed to pitch his way out of trouble.

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Brantford’s half of the inning showed similar promise (picture above via Crystal Young Photography). They got runners on the corners with none out after Dan Jagdeo’s 10 pitch at-bat. But London’s Starlin Peralta managed to strike out the rest as Brantford flamed out their attempt.

Five runners left on base combined by both teams in the fifth inning which is one off the maximum– which very well could be some kind of record.

“I don’t know I’ve ever seen that,” Palmer said, who has had a long baseball career. To that stat, Brantford seems to be king of the LOB (left on base) stat. Unfortunately LOB is not a good stat.

Peralta (above, picture via Pointstreak) was having a game himself as London’s most valuable player tonight, going seven strong innings, striking out 11 Red Sox at-bats. He gave up just two hits and zero runs!

However, offensive player of the game, Chris McQueen of London (below, picture via Pointstreak), had a statline that read 4/4 with four infield singles. He added three stolen bases as well as two runs scored. Then in the top of the ninth, McQueen finally got it out of the infield with a line drive single to right field. 5/5.

London realized they’re a top team in the IBL and yet they have a losing record against Brantford. Well they don’t have a losing record against them anymore– and they took out their poor record against the Red Sox by defeating them 8-0.

Way to go, Mr. Vilestra. We haven’t forgot about the first pitch, “guarantee” quite yet, no. Anyone going to Strickland’s intending to buy should ask for Tyler anyway.

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Brantford’s seventh place finish in the Intercounty Baseball League qualifies them for the playoffs. Although the schedule has yet to be released, according to Pointstreak’s Pomerleau, Brantford in set to play Kitchener in the first round. They will not have home-field advantage. Considering their record at home (and their record on the road), that’s a good thing for the team.

Pomerleau has it on good authority (the co-owner) that Brantford will play at home this Thursday.

As said by Red Sox P.A. announcer, Norm Tolhurst: “Don’t ya dare miss it.”