A walk-off left the Red Sox on the wrong end of a 10-9 defeat to the Erindale Cardinals on Monday night at 9th Line Sports Park.

 

After battling back from a 7-2 deficit to take a 9-8 ninth inning lead at "the 9th" - where no lead is safe - the Sox let one slip away. Despite the loss, Milton did collect 11 hits, unfortunately Erindale was just that much better at the plate, out-hitting their counterparts with 13 base-knocks of their own on the way to the win.

 

Owen Dobosh's sacrifice fly got the Red Sox on the board first in the top of the 3rd inning. The Cardinals would tie the game in their half of the 3rd, before Chris Smorenburg gave the Sox the lead right back in the 4th with an RBI single. 

 

Erindale would flip the game in the bottom of the 5th inning, scoring 6 times off reliever Kyle Clark  - who was in relief of Dylan Clark who had to leave the game after taking a line drive off the ankle in the 3rd inning.

 

Milton would scratch back, counting two in the 7th, and another 4 in the 8th to knot the affair at 8-8. Christian D'Cruz' 7th inning RBI single, and another D'Cruz knock in the 8th led the comeback.

 

The Sox would squeak the go-ahead run in the 9th, when pinch hitter Ethan Xavier attempted to bunt - crossing up the Erindale catcher, inducing a passed ball and allowing Jake Siracusa to score from 3rd base.

 

However, the Sox could not hold their brief lead as the Cardinals loaded the bases in their last at-bat and with two out lofted a tough fly ball that could not be made for the 3rd out, scoring two unearned Erindale runs and sending the Red Sox to the parking lot with the L.

 

Dylan Clark started on the mound and looked sharp early before exiting with his injury. Kyle Clark pitched 4 innings of emergency relief, surrendering 9 hits and six runs (5 ER) while striking out 3 and walking one. Rookie Sam Savard was outstanding for Milton in relief. The tall lefthander pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up 3 hits, and 3 runs (zero earned), striking out 5, and walking 5. Savard deserved better, and opened eyes around the park with his velocity and stature on the mound.

 

Chris Smorenburg, Siracusa, and Dobosh each chipped in with two hits, while Dobosh led the team on the night with 4 RBI after a 2-for-4 night's work.

 

With the loss, Milton drops back to .500 at 8-8 on the season. The Sox will suit up next on Wednesday evening in Burlington for a rare Canada Day event at Nelson Park. Game time is 7:30 pm.