Suarez slams Red Sox past Leafs in IBL opener

Photo by CAPS Photography

TORONTO – Fernando Suarez homered and drove in five to lead the Brantford Red Sox to an 11-7 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs to kick off the 101^stIntercounty Baseball League season Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.

Suarez did most of his damage in the first inning, launching a grand slam to make it 5-0 at the time.

Andris Rizquez led off the game with a home run and finished 3-for-6 with two runs. Anthony Rizquez singled and drove in a run and scored four times, Nic Burdett and Steven Correira each had an RBI, Mike Wallace went 3-for-5 with two runs, and Rick Boutilier singled three times and drove in a pair of runs.

Michael Bannon (1-0) earned the win, allowing five runs on six hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out eight.

Matt McGovern picked up the save after giving up two unearned runs on two hits with a strikeout in four innings.

For Toronto, Mike Reeves went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs. Daniel Szpik singled, doubled and drove in a run and scored once. Zac Orchard scored twice, while Justin Marra and Grant Tamane each had a hit and a run.

Zach Sloan (0-1) went two innings and allowed seven runs on five hits with five walks and four strikeouts.