Baycats Prevail 10-4 After Rainy Setbacks Against Cardinals

Barrie, ON – “Play the game,” shouted the fans after sitting through the second rain delay of Saturday's game, which was won by the Barrie Baycats 10-4 over the Hamilton Cardinals. Rainy weather causes delays, but a good chunk of the fans at Vintage Throne Stadium stayed along for the ride, and they were rewarded.

The actual game, although long due to the weather, was pretty action-packed. Cesar Rosado’s nine strikeouts before the first delay got things started. Rosado lowered his earned run average to 2.18, picking up his league-leading 100th strikeout of the season. He struck out five more after the milestone and has 105 on the season.

One of the things Baycats Manager Josh Matlow has preached all season is getting it going with the bats early. Look no further than the second inning for that, as the first four batters reached base, producing the first run of the game. Malik Williams brought in Ryan Rijo to make it 1-0, then Adam Odd cashed in Nolan Machibroda on an RBI groundout, making it 2-0.

Hamilton scored once in the third and once in the sixth to make it a one-run game. That sixth-inning run came off Juan Benítez, who entered the game after the first break in the action. The Baycats responded immediately, crossing the plate four times in the bottom of the sixth.

Big hits from Adam Odd – a two-run double, Brad McQuinn – an RBI single, and Kyle Maves – a pinch-hit run-scoring base hit, made it 7-2 Baycats, and they never looked back. Barrie scored three more in the eighth from more timely hits and a few misplays by the Hamilton defence.

Benítez earned his seventh win of the season, throwing four innings and allowing three earned runs. Brandon Hillier closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning. Mizuki Akatsuka was charged with the loss (4).

Baycats win 10-4.