A series of momentum swings over the course of nine innings saw the Toronto Maple Leafs and Barrie Baycats battle to within one run of each other, with the visitors edging out a 5-4 victory on the final play of the game last night at Christie Pits.
It was all Leafs early on. They jumped on Barrie starter Chris Kemlo for 5 hits and 4 runs in the first couple of innings.
As a blazing midsummer sunset lit up the Pits, things were looking good -- but everyone in the park was aware that the Baycats were capable of scoring 12 runs at any moment. Enthusiasm on the hillsides in the early innings was cautious and muted.
In the 4th and 5th innings, the pendulum swung in the Baycats' favour, as they tagged Leafs starter Jas Shergill for 6 hits and 5 runs in those two frames.
It was a game of odd little imperfections for the Leafs. No colossal errors, just little things. Popups went uncalled for until the final second. Ground balls were hit to just the wrong spot. In the middle of an inning, the centerfielder disappeared from his post and the game briefly halted to await his return.
Both starters were relieved in the final innings and their backups kept their opponents from scoring anything further, but another swing of the pendulum went back in the Leafs favour as they mounted a 9th inning rally.
Then, the tragic finale. With two on and two out, Sean Mattson stroked one through the infield into right. A most palpable hit! Justin Gianfrancesco broke from second and rounded for home. Fans and players in full throat, Gianfrancesco was chugging for the plate, when suddenly Barrie catcher Kyle DeGrace appeared before him, caught a laser throw from right field, and applied the tag. The pendulum gave a final, decisive swing.
For a few seconds, everyone stood where they were, frozen in disbelief. The Baycats mustered themselves first and gathered in the middle of the infield for high fives. Leafs players and fans gazed around uncertainly. Player-manager Damon Topolie stood by the Leafs bench with hands on hips, staring at nothing. As hellfire rained down from the Owner's box, the third base coach looked up and gave the universal sign of the half-shrug, palms upraised. After a while, everyone began to drift away, still stunned by what had just happened.
Hell of a game, brutal ending.
Game Recap:
The Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed the Barrie Baycats to Christie Pits, and proceeded to knock starter Chris Kemlo around like an unwelcome guest.
Centerfielder Darryl Pui led the game off with a single. He was erased on a fielder's choice by shortstop Dan Marra. Marra stole second and moved to third on a single by rightfielder Jon Waltenbury. While first baseman Damon Topolie was up next, Waltenbury stole second. The throw from Barrie catcher Kyle DeGrace sailed past second, allowing Marra to trot home. Waltenbury dashed to third and stumbled while moving towards home, allowing the Baycats to tag him out. Topolie then struck out to end the inning but the Leafs were up 1-0.
Left fielder Grant Tamane led off the bottom of the 2nd for the Leafs. He singled, stole second, then scored on a single by second baseman Jalen Harris. Catcher Tony Alvarez then belted his third home run of the season over the left field fence to give the Leafs a 4-0 lead after the 2nd inning.
Toronto starter Jas Shergill held the Baycats to just one hit over the first three innings, but they got to him in the top of the 4th. Third baseman Jordan Castaldo hit a solo home run to put his team on the board. Left fielder Jeff Cowan then singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Centerfielder Branfy Arias doubled to drive Cowan in. DH Jeremy Walker then hit a double of his own to score Arias and make it a 4-3 ballgame after the 4th.
Barrie first baseman Tyler Plumpton led off the 5th with a single, which was followed by a single by second baseman Jonathan Fernandez (both runners advanced an extra base on the play). A groundout by rightfielder Ryan Spataro plated Plumpton. A sac fly by DeGrace scored Fernandez and it was 5-4 Baycats after the 5th.
Justin Gianfrancesco took over for Tamane in left field to start the 6th inning. Both starters got through six innings each before the bullpens took over. For the Leafs, Christian Botnick, Jake Hines and Justin Lawrence pitched the final three innings without allowing a run. For Barrie, it was Chris Nagorski and another pitcher (announced as Josh Soffer but it was someone else) who combined to do the same.
It came down to the final three outs. Topolie grounded out to start the bottom of the 9th. Gianfrancesco then drew a walk off Not Soffer. A groundout by DH Tyler Mitchell moved Gianfrancesco to second. Harris followed with another walk. With two on and two out, third baseman Sean Mattson singled into right field. Gianfrancesco moved from second to third, and rounded for home. A perfect throw from Spataro to DeGrace well in front of the plate allowed the Barrie catcher to apply the tag on Gianfrancesco standing up, and the game ended 5-4 in the Baycats' favour.
Barrie 5-9-1
Toronto 4-9-1
W - Kemlo (3-0)
L - Shergill (1-2)
S - Not Soffer (?)
BOXSCORE
The Maple Leafs are now 12-13 and have slipped down to 5th place, 9 games behind these same Baycats. Their next game is back in Steeltown on Friday, July 11 to face the Hamilton Cardinals.
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