Hamilton hauls late Panther surge
KITCHENER – This was a night where eight runs won a game at Jack Couch Park.
In the finale of the season series between the Kitchener Panthers and the Hamilton Cardinals, the visiting Cardinals held on to an 8-5 victory Tuesday night.
The Panthers used just two pitchers in this one.
Jorge Minyety surrendered four runs in the first inning, and another in the second, but went five innings and struck out seven batters.
Ben Hewitt entered the ballgame in the sixth inning and went a season-high four innings. He also struck out seven and didn't give up an earned run.
Sending two pitchers up to the mound alone, was a win for Kiefer’s squad, who had become accustomed to diving deep into the bullpen.
Hamilton had won the game by getting to Minyety early. The four-spot in the first set the tone for what turned out to be another tough go for Kitchener.
Two home runs from Evan Magill did not give the home side much confidence.
The Panther offence picked up late. A three-run rally in the eighth made things interesting, but they could only get to within three runs of a comeback.
Kitchener drops to 10-21 on the season, while Hamilton improves to 18-11.
Kitchener now heads on the road for four games. Their next two? A rematch against the Welland Jackfish Thursday, and then into London Friday.
The Panthers don't return home until Thursday, Aug. 6 against Guelph at 7:05 p.m.
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