Panthers bats remain quiet against Hamilton
KITCHENER - A rough start to a three-game set for the Kitchener Panthers.
Owen Boon struck out nine batters and held Kitchener to just one run on three hits in the first six innings in what ended up a 7-4 decision for the Hamilton Cardinals Thursday night.
It's the first of a three-game set between the two teams. They were initially scheduled to play a home-and-home, but a rain out make up game in Kitchener Saturday means Kitchener and Hamilton play three games in three days head-to-head.
Andy Vargas got tagged for six runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings in the loss. He struck out eight Cardinal batters.
Josh Williams, Yolki Pena and Jaden Brown all went yard for the Cardinals, who led 5-0 after four innings of play.
Yosuke Fujie got his sixth home run of the season as part of a ninth inning rally, but the Panthers weren't able to catch up.
The two teams meet in Hamilton Friday night, before returning to Kitchener for a 7 p.m. start Saturday night.