The Guelph Royals' (11-18) bats were quiet, only mustering three hits against the Barrie Baycats (17-10) who won 3-0 for their first shutout win of the season.
Baycats starter Frank Garcés went seven innings, allowing those three hits while picking up six strikeouts.
Meanwhile, Royals starter Sebastian Rodriguez went six innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits with the only two strikeouts to Baycats hitters.
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| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | x | 3 | 11 | 1 |
During the third inning was when most of the offensive excitement happened.
Former Baycat Carson Burns and J.D. Williams each got on with hits for Guelph, but were both stranded. Williams had two of the three hits against Garcés.
In the bottom half of the inning, Nolan Machibroda drove a run in on a fielder's choice, beating out what could've been a potential inning-ending double play.
Two batters later, Tristan Clarke doubled to drive in Noel McGarry-Doyle, and a relay throw nailed Machibroda at home as he tried to add on.
Clayton Keyes scored in the sixth after Tyler Plumpton reached on an error by Burns at third base.
A scare came for Garcés in the seventh, when leadoff hitter Liam Wilson hit a line drive off the former major leaguer's right thigh.
Fortunately for Barrie, the ball ricocheted towards shortstop Brandon Hernandez, who had to change his own direction. Despite the bounce, he made an incredible, barehanded pickup and running throw to put out Wilson at first.
Chris Lazar pitched for Guelph for the second time since Barrie released him last week. He threw two shutout innings and is yet to allow a run since joining the Royals.
In relief, Carlos Sano pitched in the ninth for Barrie, retiring all three batters he faced and picking up his fifth save of the season. He's second to London's Skylar Janisse (8) in that category.
"It just shows that that's what we're capable of," Baycats manager Josh Matlow said postgame. "Everyone was efficient. Quick ball game, too, but they only had three hits."
As a result of the team's poor offensive performance, Guelph lost its fifth straight. Their last win came on the road against Barrie July 9.
Every Baycats player in the game got a hit except Tyler Plumpton, who grounded into two inning-ending double plays. He has grounded into seven double plays in 14 games this season.
Nonetheless, the team put up another double-digit hit total, despite some key names not being in the lineup.
"I think one through nine, we're pretty solid, said Baycats outfielder Clayton Keyes postgame. "Even with the absence of some guys, and some guys coming in, I think it just adds on to that solid group that we have."
Keyes was two for two with two walks on Thursday. It was his first game this season without a strikeout.
NEW TEAM, NEW ROLE
Chris Torres, whom Barrie signed Monday, made his first appearance in organized baseball in nearly four years.
The former Miami Marlins prospect converted from middle infielder to pitcher after an ACL injury in 2021 seemingly ended his pro career.
"I was excited, I was anxious a little bit," he said postgame. "But I was confident in my practice...I was enjoying it in the moment."
Still, he threw hard, as expected, and allowed just a walk in one shutout inning.
THE CROWD
It was the second "Pack the Park" night for the Baycats this season, and was wildly successful by all accounts. Fans packed every section of the bleachers and were noticeable to the players.
"It was pretty electric," Keyes said. "It was loud. I liked it a lot."
Outside of the team's second game of the season, the Jackfish's home opener May 17, this appeared to be the largest crowd the Baycats have played in front of this season.
KEY STAT
Previously, Barrie hadn't allowed three hits or fewer in a game since August 2, 2024 in Welland. The Baycats won the game 6-0
Jonah Weisner had the only two hits for the Jackfish off Baycats starter Cesar Rosado.
UP NEXT
Juan Benítez (3-1, 3.78 ERA) will start for Barrie on the road against the Brantford Red Sox (6-21) Friday.
Guelph hosts Brantford Saturday.
