Winning streak ends for Panthers heading into busy weekend

A four-game winning streak came to an end Thursday night for the Kitchener Panthers.

The Hamilton Cardinals stormed out to a 9-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning, and took down Kitchener 14-5 at Jack Couch Park.

Adam Robertson gave up eight runs (four earned) on nine hits in just 3.2 innings of work, and was saddled with the loss, as the Cardinals avenged an 11-10 loss in Hamilton on Tuesday.

To their credit, the Panthers were without a few key hitters, including the league's best hitter up to this point Liam Wilson, who was out for a second straight game.

“We talked before the game, and he said he was still coming up with a little bit of a cold, and says 'I want to play all four games on the weekend,'” said manager Don Menard.

“I said just stay home, relax, he works at 5:30 in the morning so I could've had him here as a pinch hitter but just let him stay home and he takes care of work and he's healthy for four games, big games with Toronto and Barrie coming in on the weekend.”

Despite the result, Menard said his players are all playing well but you can't win them all.

With the game pretty much out of reach early on, Menard worked the bench to get guys some at-bats.

The team's ace Christian Hauck even had a chance at the plate, and hit an RBI single in the eighth inning, one of four runs that inning.

“He deserved an at-bat,” Menard said, “I did a situation where I put the DH in the game so the pitcher would have to hit in that spot, so if nine guys got through, Christian would come up to bat.”

Another bright spot for the Panthers was Stephen Whalen.  He reached base four times, hitting three singles and reached on an error in the third.

Hamilton got a pair of home runs Justin Gideon, as well as Tristan Osika and Josh Niles.

Niles led the way for the Cardinals, going three-for-six with five RBI.  Both Gideon and Osika had three runs batted in.

Gabe Braun collected the victory on the mound, going six innings of one-run ball.  He gave up five hits and two walks, but had six strikeouts.

The Panthers get Friday off, but will face the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday afternoon for a doubleheader.

First pitch goes at 2:00 p.m. at Jack Couch Park.