Ramirez deals as Cardinals take 2-0 series lead in Barrie - Hamilton Cardinals

BARRIE – The Hamilton Cardinals are two wins away from the CBL final. Luis Ramirez spun seven innings of one-run ball and the Cardinals struck for four runs in the third to beat the Barrie Baycats 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Athletic Kulture Stadium, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 semifinal. Ramirez was in complete control from the first pitch. The right-hander scattered seven hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out seven on just 58 pitches to earn the win. He worked around traffic all afternoon thanks to a defence that turned four double plays behind him. The game was scoreless through two before the Cardinals broke it open in the third. Evan Magill opened the inning with a single, Angel Guerrero dropped down a sacrifice bunt, and Brandon Nicoll lined a single to right to break the ice. Darlin German, Tyler Duncan and Jaden Brown kept the line moving with singles of their own, Duncan's knock bringing home Nicoll, before Dario Borrero capped the rally with a two-run single up the middle to make it 4-0. Six singles in the inning. All the offence Ramirez would need. Barrie's only answer came in the seventh when Ryan Rijo ripped a double to left and scored on a Wandy Ciprian sacrifice fly. Rijo was the lone bright spot in the Baycats lineup, finishing with three of their nine hits. Steven Hospital worked a scoreless eighth and Freisis Adames slammed the door in the ninth, getting Nolan Machibroda to roll into a game-ending 6-3 double play for the save. Saul Vasquez took the loss for Barrie despite pitching into the seventh, while Boris Vecerka kept the Baycats close with three hitless innings of relief. The series now shifts to Hamilton for Game 3 on Sunday afternoon at Bernie Arbour Stadium, first pitch at 4:05 p.m. The Cardinals can push the Baycats to the brink with a 3-0 series lead in front of the home crowd. Get your tickets for Game 3 on Sunday at Bernie Arbour Stadium