Cards edge Panthers

HAMILTON – Tyler Duncan homered and drove in four, and Owen Boon struck out nine over six innings to lead Hamilton to a 6-4 home win over Kitchener on Friday night.  

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Duncan’s three-run blast put the Cardinals (4-2) ahead for good. He added three singles and a stolen base.  

July Vittini had two hits and an RBI, and Brandon Nicoll and Niko Kekatos each drove in a run. Josh Williams singled and doubled.  

On the mound, Boon (2-0) gave up a run on seven hits and a walk over six innings. Fernando Rodney tossed a scoreless ninth for his second save. 

Yosuke Fuki went 3-for-5 with a solo home run to lead off the game for the Panthers (3-5). Yunior Ibarra drove in two, Yordan Manduley had two hits and an RBI, and Yosvani Penalver went 3-for-4.  

Andy Vargas suffered the loss after giving up six runs (five earned) on 12 hits in seven innings. He walked two and fanned five.