Toronto's Bats Quiet as Leafs fall to Baycats

BARRIE, Ont. — Looking to keep the momentum going after an 8-6 Opening Day victory, the Maple Leafs’ hopes were dashed in a 6-1 loss to the Barrie Baycats on Thursday night.

It was a quiet night for Toronto’s offense during the Baycats’ season opener. Throughout the game, the Leafs struggled with runners left on base, stranding nine men. On the positive side, Marcus Knecht was a standout during the game, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two doubles.

One of the first matchups of the game was a former-MLB player duel, as former Dodger Yasiel Puig stepped up to the plate to face former Padre Frank Garces. After a five-pitch at bat, Puig would ultimately fly out. 

Despite a slow first two innings, the Baycats would ultimately strike first, hitting a solo home run off of Nick Veselinovic in the bottom of the 2nd. 

With two men on thanks to a double from Knecht and a walk from Puig, the Leafs had a chance to jump out in front. Unfortunately, Toronto could not capitalize and headed into the bottom of the 3rd still trailing by one run. 

The bottom of the 3rd would prove to be a crucial factor in Toronto’s loss. After a quick first out, the Baycats would find Veselinovic’s weak spot once again, launching another solo shot to double their lead. After a walk and a bloop single, Barrie continued to increase the pressure, resulting in a long single off of Veselinovic to extend the Baycats’ lead to 4-0. 

Heading into the 4th and trying to play catch up, Dennis Dei Baning launched a solo shot into left field, cutting Toronto’s deficit to three runs. After two quick outs to end the half inning, the Leafs made a pitching change, bringing in Mike Ribis.

Ribis started off strong, retiring eight batters in a row to get through the 4th and 5th innings. During the bottom of the 6th, he would ultimately falter, giving up a triple that would extend Barrie’s lead to 5-1. Another pitching change for the Leafs brought in Frankie Gulko, who immediately gave up a line drive single, allowing the Baycats to add another run onto their lead.

Down by four, the Leafs tried to manufacture runs late into the game off of a single from Mike Cecchetto and a walk issued to Knecht, but would ultimately drop their second match of the season 6-1 to the Baycats.

UP NEXT: The Maple Leafs return home to face the Hamilton Cardinals on Sunday, May 17. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.