Cards hit five home runs in Toronto

TORONTO – It was the Hamilton Cardinals’ turn this time.  

After an 8-1 home loss to Toronto on Sunday, the Cards hit five home runs on Wednesday at Christie Pits in an 18-6 win over the Maple Leafs.  

Brandon Nicoll went 5-for-7 with two longballs and four RBI. He also doubled twice and finished a triple short of the cycle. Johnathan Solazzo drove in four on two hits, including a solo home run, while Tyler Duncan hit a solo blast and veteran catcher Luis Bernardo, in his first game this season, also went deep and drove in two. 

Yolki Pena went 2-for-4, Niko Kekatos had three hits and an RBI, Josh Williams drove in a run, Carlos Dominguez singled twice and drove in two, and Jaden Brown added an RBI as Hamilton improved to 8-8. 

Owen Boon (4-0) tossed five innings for the win on the mound. The Cardinals’ starter allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. 

Jhon Javier went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI for the Leafs (10-8). Marcus Knecht had two hits and an RBI, Rando Moreno singled three times, and Dan Marra, Justin Marra and Jordan Castaldo had an RBI apiece.  

Taylor Lepard (0-1) took the loss on the mound. He gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out one.