Cards’ offence erupts against Leafs

HAMILTON – Eight Hamilton starters had at least one hit, and the Cards’ piled up 17 in total in a 15-9 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium.

Zach Marriott went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs for the Cardinals (5-2). Brandon Nicholson singled three times, had an RBI and scored four runs atop the lineup, Tyler Duncan drove in two on a pair of hits, Luis Bernardo went 3-for-5 with two RBI, and Brendon Daly had two hits, three runs and two steals, as the Cards’ swiped six bags in total.

Brett Lawson (1-0) went five innings for the win, allowing three runs on nine hits with three walks and six punchouts.

Leafs’ starting pitcher Dean Christidis (0-2) took the loss after giving up six runs over three innings, but five runs were unearned thanks to shaky Toronto defence that made six errors.

Ryan Dos Santos led the Leafs’ offence with two hits and three RBI. Julian Johnson drove in two runs, Connor Lewis and Jamie Cabral each had a pair of hits and drove in a run, and Johnathan Solazzo went 2-for-4 and scored twice.