Five-run eighth inning leads Guelph to 7-3 win over Barrie Baycats in Finals rematch

Nine batters came to the plate for the Guelph Royals (7-9) in eighth inning, and collectively hit for the cycle to plate five and earn a 7-3 win over the Barrie Baycats (7-9).

This was the first time the two teams played since Barrie clinched its eighth IBL championship in September. But this visit to David E. Hastings Stadium for the Baycats was not nearly as fruitful.

For the Baycats, this was a very different lineup than the season opener due to some unavailabilities, but it meant that a few junior callups got into the lineup, including Alex Wickett who made his IBL debut. Clayton Keyes also made his season debut after being signed Sunday.

LINE SCORE

Guelph starter Edgar Garcia held Barrie scoreless during his three-inning outing, and Barrie starter Ethan Morris didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning when Andy Leader got a single off a 3-2 pitch to put two on. 

Later that inning, with two out, Morris had back-to-back wild pitches to Ethan Hammond which allowed Guelph to take a 2-0 lead. Braeden Pakkala took over mid-at bat and struck out Hammond to end the inning. That started what was arguably his best outing in the IBL: 3.1 innings, two hits, 0 earned runs, and two strikeouts

In the sixth, Tristan Clarke hit his fourth homer of the season, cutting Barrie’s deficit in half. He has now scored a run in each of his last six games.

During the series in Chatham, the former major leaguer struck out just once in 10 at bats, but leads the team in the category with 21 in 63 at bats (.333 K%) for the season.

In the top of the eighth, Nolan Machibroda picked up his team-leading 13th and 14th RBI on a single to give Barrie the lead.

But in the bottom half, Chris Lazar blew the save for Barrie. After getting the first out, he allowed six consecutive baserunners, including a three-run homer by Gallo that put the game out of reach.

The five earned runs charged to Lazar led to his second loss of the season and ballooned his ERA to 12.27.

Kyle Thomas earned his first win of the season in his season debut despite allowing two earned runs. Meanwhile, this was Barrie’s third straight loss.

TROUBLE BREWING?

The Baycats began the sixth inning with back-to-back strikeouts, including Willy Garcia’s third of the game in as many plate appearances. 

On his way back to the dugout he and manager Josh Matlow started a loud argument that could be heard throughout the stands. It appeared that Matlow started it, questioning why Garcia chased a pitch that would’ve been ball four. 

Matlow confirmed postgame that he thought Garcia’s attitude was immature and warranted being benched. He added that he’s never had to deal with a situation like that in his five-year managerial career, especially with a former big-leaguer.

However, the jawing between the Baycats right fielder and manager persisted to the point that Matlow took Garcia out of the game in favour of junior call-up Zachary Owen in the bottom half of the inning. Garcia then grabbed his bats, left the dugout and was cussing at Matlow on the way to the locker room.

He did not return to the dugout the rest of the night.

DEBUTS

Keyes was impressive in his first game wearing a Barrie uniform: one-for-three with a double, a walk, a run, and a stolen base. He also made a diving catch in the third, robbing former Baycat Connor Morro of a hit. 

Meanwhile, Wickett was 0-for-four, but was noticeably strong defensively.

KEY STAT

Barrie struck out 13 times in Guelph. It was the tenth game this season in which the Baycats have struck out at least 10 times.

UP NEXT

Barrie hosts the Brantford Red Sox on Saturday and will start Juan Benítez (1-1, 3.75 ERA). Brantford’s starter is yet to be announced

Guelph begins a busy weekend with a road game Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.