Cardoso leads Majors past Panthers

LONDON – Kaiden Cardoso, fresh off an all-star appearance, started the second half of the season with four hits, three runs, an RBI and three steals to lead London to a 16-13 win over Kitchener on Sunday at Labatt Park.

Brad Verhoeven drove in four on three hits, Gibson Krzeminski and Eduardo De Oleo each had two hits and two RBI, Ty Mosher singled, doubled and drove in three, and Champ Garner went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs.

Jonathan Henry (2-1) earned the win in relief, allowing a run on two hits in one inning. He walked one and struck out one.

Travis Keys started on the mound and lasted two innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits. He fanned five and didn’t issue a walk.

London (18-9) moved 2.5 games back of first-place Welland.

For Kitchener (10-18), Raul Gonzalez had four of the Panthers’ 17 hits. He drove in three and scored twice. AJ Karosas homered and drove in two, Blake Jacklin went 4-for-5 and scored three times, Nick Parsons, Tyler Hinrikus and Luke Murray had an RBI apiece, and Nolan Misa singled, doubled and scored twice.

Adam Robertson (0-1) took the loss on the mound. He was charged with three runs on three hits and three walks without recording an out. Panthers’ starter Kale Murray allowed two unearned runs on two hits in two innings. He walked one and struck out one.