McGarry-Doyle Does it All as Baycats Snap Losing Streak

MIDHURST - Have a night, Noel.

The Barrie Baycats defeated the Brantford Red Sox 7-3 on Tuesday evening to improve to 5-7 on the season.

With the loss, the Red Sox fall to 3-8 on the season.

Baycats ace Juan Benitez recorded the win, tossing seven strong innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and one base on balls. Benitez struck out a trio of Red Sox atters.

Baycats left fielder Noel McGarry-Doyle had a night to remember, going three-for-five with a home run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

It was McGarry-Doyle's first home run as a Baycat at Coates Stadium.

Red Sox starter Bennett Moore was great through four-and-two-thirds of an inning, only for McGarry-Doyle's home run to be the beginning of the end for Moore on this night.

He ended up allowing two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning for a final stat line of four earned runs on five hits and four bases on balls.

BRANTFORD - 3-9-1

BARRIE - 7-9-0

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

No question McGarry Doyle's solo home run turned the tide in the Baycats' advantage tonight. Tying the game at two with his home run, McGarry-Doyle started the two-out rally for the Baycats tonight.

NICEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

In the top of the fifth inning, Baycats centre fielder Jake Wilson made a diving catch to rob Red Sox shortstop Colton Fountain of a hit.

Not to be outdone, a close-second has to be McGarry-Doyle scoring from second base on a sac fly to centre field off of the bat of Baycats first basemen Ryan Rijo.

BY THE NUMBERS...

0. Zero errors for the Baycats tonight, who without question played their cleanest game of the season. 

1. Baycats first basemen Jeff Cowan went hitless tonight and thus remains one hit away from 400 in his career.

1. One stolen base for Rijo tonight, who stole third base in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was just his second stolen base as a Baycat.

NEWS FROM THE GAME...

Chris Cox made his home debut for the Baycats tonight, in his first game since the season opener.

He looked electric, allowing just one hit while blowing his fastball by Red Sox catcher Robbie Gauthier for his one and only strikeout.

QUOTES FROM THE GAME...

Rijo on his stolen base: "I had him timed up and he [Moore] wasn't looking. Every time I counted to three, he pitched, so I figured, Noel just hit that big home run,  so why not give another boost of energy to the bench? The crowd loved it too, so it was kind of funny."

Rijo on McGarry Doyle's night: "I owe the guy for me going one-for-three because he got me a sac fly when he was on second base," laughed Rijo. "It's pretty incredible how fast that guy is. I love having him and Wilson hitting ahead of me because it gives me confidence that A) they are going to get on and B) they'll likely be in scoring position, even if they only got on via a single because they'll turn it into a double by getting a stolen base, so it just makes my life easier as a three-hole hitter."

Rijo on Benitez's outing tonight, as well as starting pitchers Andrew Grieder and Jaspreet Shergill joining the Baycats this week: "I'm really excited to have Jazzy back -- he is one of my favourite human beings. Having Jazzy back, everyone is excited to see him and I'm excited to see how Greider looks too. Our rotation is finally going to settle in here so I'm excited to see what we got."

NEXT UP...

The Baycats return to action tomorrow night when they battle the Red Sox in the second half of their home-and-home,

They return home on Saturday evening to face off with the Hamilton Cardinals for the fifth and final time this season.

For more information, follow the Baycats on Facebook and Twitter at @iblbaycats, on Instagram at @barriebaycats, and on Youtube at Barrie Baycats TV.

And remember to shop at our online shop by clicking here.

Lastly, remember that you can buy tickets to all of our home games here.

Photo: Bob Hurley/Bob Hurley Photography