WEEK AHEAD: Busy end to hot month of July

KITCHENER - After winning six of seven games, the Kitchener Panthers suddenly find themselves on a three-game slide.

But it hasn't been due to a lack of effort, as the Panthers have scored a whopping 35 runs in the last three games.

Raul Gonzalez continues to run a hot bat, hitting .436 in the month of July with four home runs and 18 RBI. He has also struck out just three times.

Nick Parsons is on a 15-game hitting streak, and is hitting .400 this month.

On Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Kitchener will play host to the Hamilton Cardinals for the first time since the teams opened their seasons at Jack Couch Park on May 16. The away team has won all three meetings head-to-head.

The Cardinals are on a three-game losing skid after back-to-back losses to Guelph and a loss in Barrie on Tuesday.

It is also CHRISTMAS IN JULY Night. FANS CAN ENTER INTO DRAWS FOR PANTHER SWAG BY WEARING/BRINGING THEIR FAVOURITE UGLY SWEATER, SANTA HAT OR TREE DECORATION.

SHOW UP IN A CHRISTMAS OUTFIT BEFORE 7 P.M., AND YOU COULD BE THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH!

Kitchener visits Barrie on Saturday afternoon at 4:05 p.m.

Barrie has had Kitchener's number this year, winning all three meetings this season. The Baycats have used the long ball to do most of its damage, hitting eight home runs against the Panthers.

On Sunday, the Welland Jackfish head to Jack Couch Park for a 2 p.m. start.

Welland has outscored Kitchener 28-8 in two meetings this year, but the Fish have lost three of its last four.

Jake Sanford is on a six-game hitting streak, and is hitting .375 in 17 games overall. 

Matteo Porcellato is coming off an all-star MVP performance last weekend, and has hits in seven of 10 games in July. He has also struck out 11 times this month.

Sunday is also SPORTS SUNDAY at the ballpark!

Wrapping up the week, Kitchener will host Brantford Tuesday for a rain delay make up game at 7:30 p.m.

The Red Sox have won two of three over Kitchener, but Brantford has lost eight of its last nine games.

UPCOMING GAMES