Rijo; Grieveson Lead Baycats to Victory in Brantford

BRANTFORD - Blast from the past.

The Barrie Baycats defeated the Brantford Red Sox 9-5 on Friday evening to improve to 2-1 on the season.

With the loss, the Red Sox fall to 0-4 on the season.

Barrie pitching coach-turned-reliever-turned lights out reliever Brad Grieveson recorded the win, tossing seven and two-thirds innings in relief of starter Kevin Millar while allowing zero earned runs on four hits and zero bases on balls.

Grievenson, who has not pitched for the Baycats since 2005, struck out four Red Sox batters.

Baycats designated hitter Ryan Rijo stole the show offensively, going three-for-five with a grand slam in the top of the third inning that got the Baycats back into the ballgame after going down 5-0 early to the Red Sox.

Red Sox reliever Luca Lombardi took the loss in relief of starter Jacob English. Lombardi allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two bases on balls in four innings of work.

The Woodbridge, Ontario native struck out just a pair of batters.

BARRIE - 9-12-1

BRANTFORD - 5-6-1

BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME...

Down 5-0 in the top of the third inning, Rijo's grand slam home run to left field was undoubtedly the turning point in tonight's game.

BY THE NUMBERS...

3. Another three-hit game for Baycats centre fielder Jake Wilson. The New Lowell native had three hits in his Baycats debut last night.

3. Nine runs for the Baycats tonight, and all nine were brought in by the middle of the Baycats' lineup, with Rijo (4), Michael Cecchetto (3), and Marcel Lacasse (2) doing all the damage for the Baycats.

14. It had been 14 years since Grievesonlast suited up for the Baycats, and it is safe to say that he did not disappoint. 

22. It is not how hard you throw, it is how efficient you throw. Grieveson threw just 22 balls in his relief appearance tonight, compared to his 65 strikes.

NEWS FROM THE GAME...

- Grieveson was expected to piggyback Millar's start tonight, albeit he came in earlier than he expected.  The grizzled veteran signed in large part due to Chris Cox's injury last week.

Cox is week-to-week with an injury to his throwing arm.

- Due to no Branfy Infante in the Baycats' lineup, the Baycats signed Mike Duwyn today to play second base.

A friend of Baycats shortstop Carson Burns, Duwyn went one-for-three with a walk while providing stellar defence at second.

NEXT UP...

Doubtful due to rain, but the Baycats are scheduled to travel to Welland tomorrow to battle the Jackfish.

You can listen to the game live by clicking here.

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Photo: Bob Hurley/Bob Hurley Photography