Cardinals Rally Past Red Sox for 7-5 Victory

The Hamilton Cardinals continued their strong start to the season Friday night at Bernie Arbour Stadium, overcoming an early deficit to defeat the Brantford Red Sox 7-5 and improve to 7-4 on the year. Brantford struck first when Brody Black launched a two-run home run in the opening inning, and Christian Ortega added a solo shot in the second to give the Red Sox an early 3-0 advantage. Hamilton answered immediately in the bottom half of the second. With the bases loaded, Evan Magill delivered the biggest hit of the inning, driving a two-run double to center field to score Reyny Reyes and Anderson Feliz. Moments later, Carlos Dominguez lifted a sacrifice fly to center, bringing home Magill and tying the game at 3-3. The Cardinals took control in the fifth. Darlin German and Tyler Duncan both crossed the plate on a two-run single by Reyes, giving Hamilton its first lead of the night at 5-3. The Cardinals added insurance runs in the sixth and eighth innings, including an RBI single from Magill that scored Reyes and stretched the lead to 7-3. Magill paced the Hamilton offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Reyes finished with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Dominguez drove in two runs and stole a base. On the mound, Owen Boon battled through 3.2 innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Luis Ramirez was outstanding in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while striking out four. Connor Cory earned the victory with 1.1 scoreless innings, and Steven Hospital picked up the save despite Brantford making things interesting with a two-run homer from Black in the ninth. Black was the offensive star for the Red Sox, hitting two home runs and driving in four of Brantford’s five runs. The win gives Hamilton victories in seven of its first 11 games as the Cardinals head to Brantford on Saturday afternoon looking for a series sweep.