KITCHENER PANTHERS
13-TIME IBL CHAMPIONS
Kitchener Panthers
menuStill no guaranteed playoff berth after close loss to Red Sox
KITCHENER - With a trio of games to go, the Kitchener Panthers are still in search of that final ticket to the dance.
Josh Laukkanen was magnificent for the Brantford Red Sox. He struck out 12, tying a season high, in a complete game effort to push the visitors to a 3-2 win over Kitchener Tuesday at Jack Couch Park.
Six of those punch outs came in the final three innings of work.
Yadian Martinez took the loss, giving up what turned out to be Jeremie Veilleux's game-winning RBI single in the sixth in what was an otherwise stellar outing. Martinez struck out eight and gave up four hits in five innings.
Jake Ray, a call up from the Waterloo Tigers 22U squad, gave up two runs on four hits in his first IBL start.
The Panthers had their chances early. After Gus Wilson made it 1-0 with a first inning home run, the Panthers got on base with a trio of one out singles from Spenser Ross, Raul Gonzalez and Nick Parsons.
Ross' hit extended a streak where he has reached base safely in 25 straight starts. Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Laukkanen would retire the next two batters to strand the bases juiced.
The Cuban infielder for the Panthers finished a triple shy of the cycle. His other two hits produced Kitchener's only two runs of the game.
His third inning home run brought the game to 2-1, while an RBI double tied it in the fifth.
Kitchener falls to 13-26, while Brantford improves to 11-28. Two games separate the two teams with three games left, and just one playoff spot up for grabs.
Kitchener's magic number is down to two to make the playoffs.
Kitchener hosts Toronto Thursday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a road matchup with Hamilton Friday. The Panthers close out the season against London Sunday.
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