Panthers move into seventh after win over London

KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are on the climb.

The new newest Panthers arms got the job done, as Kitchener edged the London Majors 5-4 Thursday night at Jack Couch Park.

Former Major Ricardo Alvarez De Lugo got the win, giving up two runs in five innings.

Jake Liberta earned the four-inning save, striking out three and giving up two runs on five hits.

Both were on playoff qualifying watch. Pitchers need five appearances and 10 innings.

De Lugo has met requirement after Thursday's game. Liberta still needs two appearances and 3.1 innings.

Kitchener had a 4-1 lead at one point, getting home runs from Yosuke Fujie and Trent Lawson.

Fujie also contributed with the rare Jack Couch triple in the eighth.

Yunior Ibarra would drive him in on a sacrifice fly on the next at bat for the game-winning run.

Kyle Maves was huge for London, driving in two runs and going four-for-five.

Alex Springer took the loss, getting the yank after 3.1 innings of work. He gave up four runs on five hits, walked one and struck out three.

The game was huge with the standings in mind.

Kitchener's win, combined with Toronto's loss in Barrie means both teams are at 16-22 on the season, tied for seventh with four games left.

Kitchener owns the tiebreaker after winning the season series.

Barrie and London both sit at 22-16 on the year after Thursday's action, tied for second.

Kitchener is on the road for three, starting in Barrie Saturday at 4:05 p.m.

The Panthers aren't back home until the regular season finale on Sunday, Aug. 17 against the pennant-winning Welland Jackfish at 2 p.m.