Leafs win 4-2
It was just what the doctor ordered.
A three-run bomb by Jon Waltenbury and a complete game gem by Justin Cicatello lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-2 win in game three of their semi-final series against the Barrie Baycats last night.
Waltenbury's blast came just eight pitches into the game, but it turned out to be the game-winner. Cicatello's 118-pitch performance saw him give up just five hits and two runs in a game that wrapped up in two hours and six minutes. In short, "Wally" and "Cic" made it quick.
On the Baycats' side of the mound, Brett Lawson overcame his rough first inning to give up just one more hit through eight, while Chris Nagorski struck out the side in the ninth. Unlike game one of this contest - which was decided in the ninth inning in Barrie's favour - this one was decided in the first, with the Leafs making a series of it.
After taking a walk and grabbing two stolen bases, Waltenbury scored an insurance run in the third on a single by Raul Borjas.
Barrie threatened to get back into the game in the fifth, when two of its fleetest footsmen got aboard, but Branfy Arias and Glenn Jackson both found themselves getting caught between bases, and getting tagged out by Johnathan Solazzo.
The pattern of this series so far has been super-tight pitching duels in Barrie, and a slugfest in Toronto. If the pattern holds, the ball chasers at Christie Pits might be getting a hell of a workout this afternoon. The weather forecast says it will go up to 32 degrees today, so here's hoping everyone remembers to stay well hydrated.
Game Recap:
The Barrie Baycats welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs to Coates Stadium last night for game three of their semi-final series. Brett Lawson and Justin Cicatello were the starting pitchers for their respective sides.
The Leafs got the jump on Lawson right away, as rightfielder Grant Tamane and second baseman Dan Marra hit a pair of singles. First baseman Jon Waltenbury then stepped up to the plate and crushed an 0-2 pitch over the fence in centerfield, giving the Leafs a 3-0 lead after one inning.
In the top of the 3rd, the Leafs tacked on another run. Waltenbury walked with two outs, stole second, stole third, then scored on an RBI-single by leftfielder Raul Borjas. 4-0 Leafs midway through three.
The Baycats collected their first hit off Cicatello in the bottom of the third, as shortstop Branfy Arias led off with a double. A sac bunt by centerfielder Glenn Jackson moved Arias to third. Rightfielder Ryan Spataro then hit into a groundout that allowed Arias to score. 4-1 Leafs after the 3rd inning.
Both pitchers kept rolling through the order until the bottom of the 5th when Cicatello had a brief wobble. Arias led off with a single. While Jackson was at the plate, Arias stole second and advanced to third when the throw from catcher Will Richards sailed high. Jackson then hit into a fielder's choice, but Arias got caught between third and home. Third baseman Johnathan Solazzo tagged him out, while Jackson made it to second base. Jackson was then caught stealing third and Solazzo tagged out his second baserunner of the inning. With the bases clear, Spataro hit a single, then came all the way around to score on a single to deep right by catcher Kyle DeGrace. 4-2 Leafs after the 5th inning.
That was it for the bats this night. Lawson kept the Leafs off the board in the 6th, 7th and 8th before turning it over to Chris Nagorski who pitched a perfect 9th. Cicatello went the distance. After the 5th inning, he was perfect the rest of the way, shutting down the potent Barrie offence and recording his second complete game victory of the postseason with a 4-2 final.
Toronto 4-4-2
Barrie 2-5-0
W - Cicatello (2-0, 4.90)
L - Lawson (1-1, 6.07)
BOXSCORE
Barrie now holds a 2-1 series lead and these two clubs will go at it in game four this afternoon at Christie Pits.
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