Leafs Snap Skid with Extra-Innings Win Over Baycats

By Noam Streiffer

The Leafs got back in the win column on Thursday night in a 2-1 pitchers' duel against the third-place Barrie Baycats. The win snaps a five-game losing streak as the Leafs work their way back toward .500.

Matt Brown got the start for the Leafs and was excellent through six innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven in a much-needed outing. Brown’s fastball looked sharp, and he had no problem blowing it by Baycats hitters, using it as his primary swing-and-miss pitch.

On the home side, it was Frank Garces who delivered an excellent outing of his own, throwing seven innings of one-run ball and striking out twelve Leafs.

The Leafs got on the board first when Ryan Dos Santos came in to score on a Baycats defensive error, giving them the early lead. Barrie answered back in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Francisco Hernandez to tie the game.

Both starters were pulled in a tie game, turning it into a battle of the bullpens. The Leafs looked sharp, as Luis Florentino and Adam Marra combined for four shutout innings, striking out five Baycats in an extra-innings effort.

The Leafs were able to pull through in the 10th inning on an RBI single from—who else—Dennis Dei Baning to secure the win.

Up next: The Leafs head home to take on the Guelph Royals on Friday night. First pitch is set for 7:30 PM.