Cards back to .500 after win in Kitchener

KITCHENER – Grant Arnold's two-run blast in the top of the ninth was the difference in the Hamilton Cardinals' 10-8 win over the Kitchener Panthers Sunday afternoon at Jack Couch Park.

Arnold's third home run of the season came on the eighth pitch of the at bat. Jake Chiaravalle also went deep as part of a three-hit game and finished with two RBI and two runs. Jacob Martins singled, doubled and drove in a pair while scoring twice, Laine Renaud had two hits and an RBI, and Mike Ceechetto and David Vanderby each drove in a run and scored.

Kelvin Pichardo (2-1) earned the win, giving up an unearned run on two hits in 1.2 innings. He struck out five. Starter Ben Braun lasted six innings and surrendered six runs (five earned) on 11 hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

For Kitchener, Zach Johnson went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Liam Wilson singled twice, doubled twice and plated a pair of runs while adding an RBI, Zarley Cina went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and Yorbis Borroto had two hits and scored twice.

Miguel Lahera (2-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on two hits with a strikeout in one inning. Christian Hauck started and went 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on four hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.