Cardinals fall short in their comeback attempt

HAMILTON – Yunior Ibarra’s two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth inning was the difference in Kitchener’s 7-5 win Friday in Hamilton.

Kitchener (10-15) trailed by two going into the sixth inning before taking its first lead with four runs. Hamilton tied it in the seventh, setting up Ibarra’s dramatics on an 0-2 count. The Panthers’ catcher finished with three RBI. AJ Karosas went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Nick Parsons and Nolan Misa each drove in a run.

Jose Vasquez (3-3) struck out three of the four batters he faced to earn the win in relief. Panthers’ starting pitcher Pedro De Los Santos went seven innings and gave up five runs (two earned) on 12 hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Cole Iantomasi led the Cardinals (11-11) with four hits and an RBI. Luis Bernardo, Dennis Dei Baning and Josh Niles all drove in a run. Tyler Duncan singled twice and scored twice.

Jacob Gajic took the loss after yielding two runs in one-third of an inning. He walked one and struck out one. Starting pitcher Brett Lawson was charged with four runs (three earned) on five hits over 5.1 innings. He walked three and struck out one.