Burton's slam lifts Panthers past Cards
KITCHENER – The wait was worth it for the Kitchener Panthers.
After rain halted Game 1 in the second inning, the Panthers opened their semifinal series in Hamilton before resuming the originally-scheduled opener Wednesday night at Jack Couch Park.
Kitchener didn't waste any time jumping on the Cardinals, scoring seven runs in the second frame, capped by Brian Burton's grand slam, en route to an 11-3 win.
Kitchener leads the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Burton finished with five RBI, while teammate Tanner Nivins went 2-for-4 with a two-run blast. Yorbis Borroto had two hits, four runs and an RBI, Zarley Cina went 2-for-3 with a run, and Mike Andrulis and Liam Wilson each had an RBI.
Jasvir Rakkar earned the win with four scoreless innings of relief. He scattered two hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Yoen Socarras started the original game and went two innings, giving up a hit and a walk with three strikeouts.
Justin Gideon drove in two of Hamilton's runs with a one-out double in the eighth. Laine Renaud had the other RBI. Luke Tevlin had two hits and a run, and Chris Beer singled and scored.
Zackary Gonzalez took the loss, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits in five innings of relief. He walked four and struck out one.
Clay Miller started and walked one and allowed a hit in an inning.