Photo by RS Konjek

TORONTO – Marek Deska pitched into the ninth inning to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 7-1 win over the Brantford Red Sox Wednesday night at Christie Pits.

Toronto is up 3-2 in the best-of-seven quarter-final and can advance with a win Thursday.

Deska (1-1) went 8.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Offensively, Justin Marra connected for a two-run home run, Jonathan Solazzo went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run, Tyler Hardie and Dan Marra each had two hits and an RBI, Jon Waltenbury drove in a run, and Zac Orchard singled twice and scored once.

Chris Dennis drove in Brantford's run.

Matt Martinow (0-1) gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits in 6.1 innings with four walks and three strikeouts.