After a long Winter, it was time for the A's to take the field for the first time in the new season as they played hosts to the Burlington Brants at Oakville Park for a 7:30 pm start on Monday. Veteran RHP Gord Robertson got the assignment as he was opposed by Brants RHP Mike Westlake.

 

Robertson cruised through the first three innings, keeping the Brants scoreless on just two hits before handing the ball over to lefty Mike Vanderlaan in the fourth. After the leadoff hitter reached on an error,  "Vandy" ran into some control issues, allowing four free passes (three walks and an HBP) in the inning. Vanderlaan finished the inning allowing four runs (one earned) on one hit. The A's would strike back in the bottom of the inning as A's slugger Jeff Jarockis lead off with a walk, followed by a single by third baseman Marc Walton. After a fly out to right, rookie Nathan Lewko would load the bases by singling to center to bring Curtis Braun to the plate. Braun would plate the A's first run of the game via groundout to first. Rookie shortstop Nic Burnell would drive in two more after a hard line drive to left to bring the A's within a run. Julian Richards would extend the inning, reaching first on a walk before stealing second as Burnell would steal home on the throw to second to tie the game at 4-4. Center fielder Tommy "Wiffles" Biskup would give the A's their first lead of the night, singling to left center to score Richards, making it a 5-4 ballgame. 

 

Matt Reagan came on to pitch the fifth, holding the Brants at bay to preserve the one run lead. After the A's went down in order in the bottom of the fifth, the Brants would tie the game in the sixth after the leadoff hitter reached on an error, then came around to score on the A's third error of the ballgame. The Brants would plate the go-ahead run in the seventh on an RBI double by first basemen Kyle Arbuthnott, giving Burlington a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the inning. The A's would have an opportunity to tie the game, as Jarockis, Walton, and Mike Modestino would load the bases with one out and Nathan Lewko at the plate, however the Brants would snare a line drive up the middle, then double off Walton at second to end the threat.

 

The A's had another opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth, as Brad Hill would work a walk to start the inning, followed by an HBP to Andrew Kotulak bringing Julian richards to the plate. However, a few base running miscues at third would end the A's threat, and the Brants would go onto win 6-5 in eight innings as the lights went out at the park and the game was called due to curfew. 

 

Despite the loss, the A's showed some early season life on offense as they scattered five hits, drew seven walks, and took two HBP's in the game. If the A's can clean up their defense, and base running mistakes, they look ready to compete for a championship.

 

The A's have a busy week ahead as the play hosts to the Johnson Division champions Niagara Metros on Monday, before hitting the road on Wednesday against the Milton Red Sox, then Friday in Etobicoke against the Rangers.

 

Go A's!