Panthers get split on two-game road swing

KITCHENER - Yunior Ibarra's two-run single in the ninth proved to be the difference as the Kitchener Panthers knocked off the Hamilton Cardinals 7-5 Friday night in Hamilton.

It comes after a tough 7-3 loss in Barrie the previous night, Kitchener's lone blemish in its last seven contests.

After the road trip, Kitchener finds itself at 10-15 on the year, just a game and a half behind Hamilton for fifth in the IBL.

On Friday, Kitchener's import catcher from Cuba was clutch, going three-for-five with three RBI.

It was a back-and-forth game, but Kitchener pulled ahead with four runs in the sixth to take the two-run lead. Hamilton answered and tied the game with two runs in the seventh.

The game was tied before Ibarra stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth and knocked a one-hopper down the left field line.

Pedro De Los Santos gave up five runs (two earned) on 12 hits in seven innings of work.

Jose Vasquez was credited with the win, striking out three and finishing the game after coming on with two out in the bottom of the eighth.

Nick Parsons extended his hitting streak to 13 games, going one-for-four with an RBI.

AJ Karosas came in as a pinch hitter in the fifth and finished the night two-for-three. Spenser Ross has hits in six of his last seven, and is hitting .412 in the month of July.

Raul Gonzalez saw his hitting streak stop at seven games, but with a pair of walks, he has reached base safely in 13 straight games.

BOXSCORE

BAYCATS 7, PANTHERS 3

On Thursday, the Panthers gave up three homers and the Barrie Baycats came away with a 7-3 win.

Canice Ejoh, Noel McGarry-Doyle and Malik Williams all went yard for Barrie. Kitchener's three runs all came in the eighth inning.

Spenser Ross was the lone Panther to gather more than one hit, going two-for-five.

Yadian Martinez struck out six in seven innings of work in the loss. Frank Garces pitched seven innings of shutout baseball, giving up seven hits along the way.

BOXSCORE

GAME REPLAY

UP NEXT

The Panthers host the Baycats at Jack Couch Park at 2 p.m. Sunday. It is a special SUPER HERO DAY, where the team celebrates first responders. The first 100 first responders will have tickets waiting at the gate!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW and #PackTheJack!