Dei Baning goes deep twice in Cards’ win

KITCHENER – Dennis Dei Baning homered twice and drove in three as the Hamilton Cardinals opened the 2024 season with a 5-1 win Thursday in Kitchener.

Dei Baning’s first longball came with a runner on in the first inning. He added a solo blast in the sixth. Zach Marriott went deep in the ninth and had two RBI. Brendon Daley singled twice.

Takaki Eguchi (1-0) picked up the win on the mound, scattering three hits and walking one while striking out seven over six scoreless innings.

Yadian Martinez (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits over seven innings. He walked one and fanned seven.

Stephen Whalen drove in the lone Panthers’ run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Jett Jarvis and Jorden Carthy each had a pair of hits in the loss.