Baycats Edge Leafs in Barrie

Game 16: Toronto Maple Leafs at Barrie Baycats, June 15, 2017

Baycats win 14-2

                                                                                                                                                                                       FILE PHOTO

There's just something about a Justin Marra plate appearance.

I've probably gone on at length about this before, but when Marra steps up to the plate in a game, any game, it's like watching a baseball legend step out of a time machine. That legend is none other than the straw that stirs the drink, Reggie Jackson.

The physical resemblance is there. The build, the smile, the spectacles. The spectacular corkscrew swings from the left side of the plate. The power and dominance of Number 9. The only difference is that one man had a candy bar named after him, and the other hasn't had a candy bar named after him... yet.

These attributes were all on display as Marra and the Toronto Maple Leafs stormed into Coates Stadium for a game against the Barrie Baycats tonight. 

Facing Claudio Custodio on the mound, Marra immediately helped the Leafs seize affairs by the throat.

Toronto centerfielder Greg Carrington hit a single to start the game. First baseman Jon Waltenbury followed and did likewise. With two men on, Marra hit a double to right field, no sweat, nothing but net, ballgame. 1-0 for the V-necked visitors, off to an early lead after just a half inning of play.  Thirteen RBIs in 14 games. Reggie, Reggie! Justin, Justin!

The remaining eight-and-a-half innings of the game were a godawful debacle.

The Baycats came back and put 14 runs on the board, making off with a 14-2 win.

Welp!

Andrew Simonetti took the loss, lasting 4.1 innings before Adam Garner, Nate Morris and Adam Marra came in to mop up the rest of the way.

Leafs skipper Damon Topolie DH'd for the second game in a row and went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

Custodio went seven innings before turning it over to the bullpen. He won his second game of the season, and the Baycats extended their undefeated record to 12-0.


Toronto 2-9-5
Barrie 14-13-0

W - Custodio (2-0, 0.52)
L - Simonetti (0-3, 5.57)


BOXSCORE


Having let this one slip away, the Leafs' record drops to 6-8, but they maintain their hold on 4th place in the IBL standings. This road trip continues with an afternoon matchup against the Guelph Royals on June 17 at Hastings Stadium.