Boon, German power Cardinals past Jackfish in regular-season finale

WELLAND – Owen Boon kept the ball in the park, Darlin German put one over the fence, and the Hamilton Cardinals handed the Welland Jackfish a 5-2 loss Thursday night at Welland Stadium in the regular-season finale between the two clubs. The Cardinals improved to 28-17 on the season and pulled within a half-game of the Jackfish in the Canadian Baseball League standings after Welland lost its third straight. Boon, making his 14th start of the year, gave up a two-run home run to Ethan Mann in the bottom of the first but settled in from there. The right-hander worked 5.1 innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs and two walks while striking out four to earn the win. The Jackfish (29-17) carried a 2-0 lead into the fourth until the Cardinals broke through against Welland starter Teodoro Ortega. Carlos Dominguez reached on an error by third baseman James Smibert to open the inning, and German followed with a two-run homer to right field that tied the game and gave Hamilton life. Tyler Duncan followed with a single and scored on Jaden Brown’s RBI triple. Dario Borrero grounded out before Reyny Reyes singled to left to bring home Brown and push the lead to 4-2. The Cardinals added an insurance run in the sixth. Duncan led off with a single, moved up on Brown’s sacrifice bunt and scored when Borrero doubled to right field. The bullpen made it stand up. Connor Cory recorded the final out of the sixth by inducing a double play, Logan Warkentin worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh despite a balk, and Freisis Adames closed it out with two scoreless innings for his fourth save of the season. Ortega took the loss for Welland after allowing five runs — four earned — on six hits over six innings. He struck out six without walking a batter. Hamilton finished with six hits, Welland also managed six, but the Jackfish committed three errors. The announced crowd was 2,053 on a clear, 25-degree evening. The Cardinals won the season series with Welland 4-2. They return home Friday to host Barrie at Bernie Arbour Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.