A weekend full of losses for the Stratford Nationals

The Stratford Nationals were defeated 11-5 by the London Majors in a 10-inning game on Tuesday night.

The Majors scored six runs in the top of the 10th inning to pick up the win, improving their record to 22-8 and moving into a first-place tie with the Guelph Storm. Stratford dropped to 4-25 with the loss.

Mike Mitro picked up the win in relief for the Majors, tossing three and two-thirds shutout innings.

He allowed just three hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

Mason Reilly sparked the 13-hit London attack with a pair of hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs.

Tyler Graham had four hits and an RBI in a losing cause for the Nationals, who slapped out 15 hits in the game. Losing pitcher Mike McGillvary went eight and one-third innings, allowing nine runs on 12 hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

On Saturday, the Nationals lost both games in a doubleheader against the Oshawa Dodgers.

The host Dodgers solidified their hold on fifth place in the IBL with a convincing sweep over the Stratford Nationals, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

Sean Mattson had three hits and drove in three runs in the opener as the Dodgers pounded out 10 hits in a 12-4 victory. Brendan Emmett drove in a pair of runs, walked three times and had a hit and

Sean Travers added two hits and an RBI for the winners.

The Dodgers broke open the game with a seven-run fifth inning to rally from a 4-1 deficit, assuring themselves of a post-season berth with the victory. Starter Cam Gray got the win, going five innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Justin Pennell was the starter and loser for the Nationals in the opener, going four and on-third innings. He allowed five runs – four earned – on five hits with five walks. Pennell also had three hits and drove in a pair of runs, while  Graham had two RBI.

In game two Oshawa had nine hits and scored three runs in the second inning to take an early 4-0 lead, coasting from there.

Craig Chaput pitched a complete game in the nightcap, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and one walk for the win. Emmett had two hits, an RBI and two stole bases while Ken Calway hit a three-run homer and Ryan Flemming added a pair of hits for Oshawa.

George Agopong-Mansa had a pair of doubles for the Nationals. Mitch Masse took the loss, going five innings. He allowed five runs – four earned – on six hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

On Friday, the Hamilton Thunderbirds edged past the Nationals 2-1.

Kevin Whyte pitched a complete game five-hitter, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 and walking three to give the Thunderbirds a crucial win.

Adam Doyle drove in the winning run for the Thunderbirds with a sixth-inning single, driving in Scott Wells from second base, to give Hamilton a 2-1 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Billy Lawrence had two hits for the Thunderbirds, who won despite getting just four hits off three Stratford pitchers.

Simon Liston started and went five innings for the Nationals, allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts and six walks. Reliever Cory Hammond was the loser, allowing one run on one hit in one inning with a strikeout and two walks, as he allowed the sixth inning, game-winning run.

Ryan Blackburn and Duane Ryan both doubled for the Nationals, who managed just five hits.

PHOTO: Stratford Nationals’ Mike McGillvary pitches hard during inning 4 of his 8 1/3 innings loss against the London Majors on Tuesday. Stratford played a controlled game through six innings with good outfield play from George Agopong-Mensa, aggressive base running from Jose Soto, and the successful bat of Tyler Graham. The Majors managed to tie the game in the seventh and after two scoreless innings dominated the Nationals in the tenth scoring six runs to pick up the 11-5 win. The Stratford Nationals sit in last place with a 4-25 record, London is now tied for first place, the Nationals next game is at home on July 11, against Kitchener at 7:30 p.m. (Michael Harding Photo)