Cardinals keep pennant hopes alive with 8-5 win in Guelph

GUELPH – Hamilton kept its pennant hopes alive with an 8-5 win over the Guelph Royals on Saturday night at Hastings Stadium. Carlos Dominguez led the Cards' offence with three hits, three RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Tyler Duncan went 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBI, Darlin German singled three times, and Jaden Brown and Dario Borrero each drove in a run. Hector Yan (7-1) struck out two over 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. He took over for starter Luis Ramirez, who went 4.2 frames and allowed three runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Freisis Adames punched out five over the final two innings, striking out the side in the eighth. For Guelph (29-19), Antony Gilbert singled, homered and drove in two. Franklin Torres went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI, and Victor Mascai drove in a run. Kyle Thomas (1-1) took the loss after giving up four runs on seven hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. Hamilton (30-17) has won five straight, but the Cards still need some help Sunday. Along with beating Brantford at home (4:05 PM at Bernie Arbour Stadium), Hamilton needs Welland to take down London when those two resume their suspended game. Welland leads 9-2 in the top of the fifth. A Cardinals win and a Jackfish win would lock up first place heading into the playoffs.