FIDDLER’S FACTS: Quality pitching keeping Blue Jays, Charlottetown Islanders in baseball spotlight

**Charlottetown Islanders and Toronto Blue Jays Rely on Strong Pitching as Season Climbs**

*Charlottetown, P.E.I.* – The Charlottetown Islanders and the Toronto Blue Jays have both benefited from effective pitching as they push toward the end of their respective seasons. While the Islanders closed out a best‑of‑seven semifinal series in the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL), the Blue Jays are fighting for the final American League wild‑card spot.

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### Charlottetown Islanders Sweep NBSBL Semifinals

The Islanders defeated the Fredericton Royals in a four‑game series that concluded on September 3. The first two games were played in Fredericton, where the Islanders won 12‑5 on September 2 and 2‑1 in a walk‑off victory on September 3. The 12‑5 game drew 2,100 spectators, a record crowd for senior baseball in the province.

Key performances included:

| Pitcher | Innings | Runs Allowed |
|———|———|————–|
| Nathan Van Putten | 6 | 1 |
| Tanner MacLean | – | – |
| Brody McDonald | – | – |
| Jordan Stevenson | 4 | 0 (complete game) |

The Islanders, who are aiming for a fourth consecutive NBSBL crown and a berth in the 2027 senior baseball nationals, will face tougher competition from Chatham or Moncton in the championship round.

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### Toronto Blue Jays Keep Wild‑Card Chase Alive

The Blue Jays remain in contention for the final American League wild‑card spot, with a crucial 6‑3 win over the Cleveland Guardians on September 3. The victory gives Toronto a tie‑breaker advantage should they finish level with Cleveland, Texas, or Baltimore.

Pitching has been a decisive factor:

– **Dylan Cease** and **José Soriano** delivered strong outings in the last two wins in Ohio.
– **Trey Yesavage** is expected to return after a brief absence.
– The bullpen, featuring **Louis Varland** and **Tyler Rogers**, has been consistently effective.

Defensively, the Blue Jays rank among the best in the AL East, second only to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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### Free Minor‑Hockey Gear Exchange

Minor‑hockey families in Prince Edward Island can obtain used equipment at the Bell Aliant Centre on September 5 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The program, founded 15 years ago by George Halliwell, relies on donations from local families and sponsorship of gear bins. Halliwell said, “I have been able to recruit my friend Terry Burke as well as Chris Halliwell and Mark Jones, and we’ll be at the Bell Aliant Centre (Sept. 5) from 10:30 a.m.-noon.”

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### Harness Racing at Red Shores Charlottetown

Live harness racing continues at Red Shores Charlottetown on September 5 at 6 p.m. The card features a $6,250 feature race with notable entries such as Fast Louie, Gigis Dream, and Bee Two Bee. The event also includes the annual drivers’ championship, with top divisional CDP drivers like Marc Campbell and Gilles Barrieau competing in races 4, 6, 8, and 10.

Other highlights include:

– A $750,000 Canadian Pacing Derby with a strong field, including Prince Hal Hanover and Oakwood Ardan.
– The $150,000 OSS Gold, won by Beau Jangles in 1:48.3.

The Atlantic Classic yearling sale catalogue is now available online, featuring prospects such as Bruce Wood, a Blue Jays fan and U.S. captain colt.

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### Community Loss

Article and image source: saltwire.com