Late runs give Leafs win over Panthers

Photo by CAPS Sports Photography

KITCHENER -- Toronto scored six runs over the last three innings to seal a 12-9 win Thursday night in Kitchener.

Trailing 7-6, the Maple Leafs scored three times in the seventh and added a few more runs in the eighth to improve to 2-2.

Jordan Castaldo went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Justin Marra went 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs, Dan Marra hit a two-run blast, Jason Zheng drove in a pair, Noah Chan had an RBI and scored twice and Greg Carrington singled twice and scored twice.

Zach Sloan (1-1) earned the win in relief. He allowed a run on three hits with five strikeouts over four innings. He followed Marek Deska, who gave up seven runs (three earned) on 10 hits over four innings. He struck out two.

For Kitchener, Andy Leader singled, homered and drove in two. Reece Reading went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs, Jett Jarvis singled twice, doubled and had an RBI and a run, Stephen Whalen drove in two, Tyler Hinrikus went 3-for-5 with three runs and a stolen base and Liam Wilson singled twice.

Luis Grisanti (0-1) took the loss, allowing three unearned runs on one hit in the seventh. He walked four and struck out three in the 39-pitch inning. Jorden Carthy started and went two innings, yielding four runs (three earned) on four hits with two walks.