Benítez Dominates, Baycats Edge Red Sox 6–5

Brantford, ON – There's a consistent sense of confidence when Juan Benítez takes the mound. There’s nothing fancy about Benítez, but his ability to work efficiently and throw strikes is why he hasn’t allowed more than five runs in a start in over two years. The six-foot-six Dominican righty tossed seven shutout innings Friday night in Brantford as the Barrie Baycats narrowly escaped with a 6-5 win.

The Baycats did what they do best – score first. That was evident in a four-run first inning, which included Brandon Hernandez’s second home run of the season – a two-run shot. Up four early, Benítez cruised, striking out seven and not issuing a single walk.

After the first, scattered runs in the fifth and seventh were all Barrie could muster off Pedro De Los Santos, who came in for starter Colbey Klepper in the fourth inning. De Los Santos sat down ten Baycats by way of the strikeout, walked just one, and gave up only a Noah Hull sac fly and an RBI single from Tristan Clarke – who, lately, no one seems able to get out.

Six runs seemed to be more than enough heading into the bottom of the eighth, but four walks and one uncharacteristic misplay in the field later, and Brantford was right back in it. They crossed home five times in the eighth off Chris Torres. The energy at Arnold Anderson Stadium was short-lived – but enjoyable for Red Sox fans while it lasted – as Carlos Sano shut the door once again, notching his sixth save.

FINAL SCORE: Baycats 6, Red Sox 5

NEXT UP: The Baycats return home Saturday afternoon to face the Kitchener Panthers at 4:05 p.m.