He's out.
Johnathan Slattery of the Mississauga Twins is tagged out by Oshawa Dodgers second baseman Daniel Marra for the last out of the fifth inning during Intercounty Baseball League action last night in Oshawa.
Photo by Jason Liebregts
Adam Banski hasn’t felt this good in a year.
The young right-hander proved last night that he has recovered from major elbow surgery, pitching three solid innings of relief as the Mississauga Twins rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth inning for a 6-5 win over the Oshawa Dodgers.
The win put an end to a five-game losing streak in Intercounty Baseball League action.
“I didn’t even know if I had a uniform when I got here,” said Banski, who was only signed by the Twins on Tuesday. “I was only supposed to throw 20 or 30 pitches. We needed this win. It’s a pick-me-up.”
It was a year ago to the day that Banski underwent surgery to replace the ligaments in his right elbow, the type of surgery known in baseball circles as Tommy John surgery. Banski has been rehabilitating ever since.
Banski came on in the seventh inning in relief of Mississauga starter Shane Cole and gave up just one run on two hits to pick up the win. Cole was no slouch either, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings of work.
Banski might not have gone as far as he did had the Twins had more players available for the game. Mississauga had only 12 players dressed and each one contributed something to this much-needed triumph.
Mike Bonanno’s two-run double with two out in the top of the ninth was the key hit for the Twins, who had already wiped out a 4-2 deficit now led 6-4.
The clutch hit atoned for a base-running error in the sixth inning when Bonanno was gunned down trying to steal third base.
“I felt so bad about that and I needed to do something to make up for it,” said the shortstop, who was three-for-five at the plate and drove in three runs on the night. “I was just trying to spark us, looking for a win any way I could. Even if it was a cheap run. I hit that ball hard and it dropped in just the right spot.”
The Twins sent nine men to the plate in the ninth. They loaded the bases on singles by Jonathan Slattery and Adam Zorzit and a walk to Kurtis Robinson. Branson Joseph, who made two outstanding catches in centre field early in the game, then singled to drive in a pair of runs.
The Twins loaded the bases again and Bonanno then delivered his key double to score Joseph and catcher Henry Duke, who reached first on a fielder’s choice.
The Twins are back in action tonight when they play the Toronto Maple Leafs at Meadowvale North Sports Park. Game time is 7 p.m.
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