Seven-run inning helps sink Panthers

KITCHENER - A rough third inning proved to be the difference in what was an otherwise tight ball game.

The Hamilton Cardinals scored seven runs on five hits in the third, en route to a 10-5 win over the Kitchener Panthers at Jack Couch Park Thursday night.

Pedro De Los Santos was cruising through the first couple innings, but was pulled after the third.

He gave up seven runs (three earned) on six hits in the loss. He walked one and struck out two.

Danny Garcia and Jorge De La Cruz went the rest of the way, giving up a combined three runs (two earned) on five hits, walking one and striking out eight in relief.

Japanese ambidextrous pitcher Mizuki Akatsuka went eight innings in the win. Although he did some warm ups with the left hand, he only worked as a righty.

He struck out eight and gave up five runs on seven hits.

Kitchener closed the gap with a four-run fourth inning to make it 7-4, but they couldn't get any closer than that.

Nick Parsons had an RBI double to kick his hitting streak to 16 games. He also hit a home run in the ninth.

Tyler Duncan and Josh Niles both went yard for Hamilton. Duncan, last year's league MVP and all-star home run king, snapped a 20-game home run drought.

Kitchener drops its fourth straight game, and sits with a 10-19 record.

Kitchener visits Barrie on Saturday afternoon at 4:05 p.m., before hosting Welland on Sunday at 2 p.m.

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