Cardinals walk off Red Sox in thriller

HAMILTON – Josh Williams’ bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth scored a pair of runs and gave the Hamilton Cardinals a 9-8 win over Brantford on Friday night.  

After the Red Sox took the lead with four runs in the top of the inning, Hamilton loaded the bases on two walks – one intentional – and an error. That set the stage for Williams, who had already driven in two runs with a double in the third inning.  

Yolki Pena and Tommy Reyes-Cruz had an RBI apiece in for Hamilton (1-0), and Johnathan Solazzo went 2-for-4 and scored twice.  

Fernando Rodney (1-0) earned the win in relief. The former big leaguer, who pitched 17 seasons before retiring after the 2019 campaign, gave up four runs on three hits and a walk in his IBL debut.  

Cards starting pitcher Owen Boon allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out seven. 

For Brantford, Tim Holyk hit a three-run blast off Rodney to give Brantford the lead. He also scored three times. Matt Torresan drove in two, Jose Vinicio had an RBI single in the ninth, and Christian Ortega had two hits.  

Gabe Bruder (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing two unearned runs on one hit and a walk. Red Sox starting pitcher Nicholai Arbach went five innings and gave up two runs on two hits. He walked six and struck out five.