9 Run Inning Sinks the Sox

KITCHENER - The last time the Brantford Red Sox visited Jack Couch Park, they accomplished the dubious feat of putting their leadoff hitter on base in every inning from the 1st through the 6th innings, but converted all of those runners into just 1 actual run in a 9-4 loss. 

After coming out flat against Welland on Wednesday night, Brantford needed a much better start in Kitchener tonight. After surrendering a single run in the 1st, the Red Sox answered back with one of their own in the 2nd inning, while leaving the bases loaded. Then in the 3rd inning the Red Sox got right back on their bats. Nick Burdett led things off with a solo home run, followed by a Liam Sutherland single. Jamiel Orozco then hit his first IBL home run, a 2 run blast over the left field scoreboard to put Brantford ahead 4-1. 

Kitchener responded with a run in the bottom of the 3rd, but Brantford got it back in the 4th. Brodie Mackay, swinging a hot bat for Brantford as of late, doubled. He was then was brought home by a Burdett single. The Red Sox loaded the bases  again but left them that way, taking a 5-2 lead in the middle of the 4th.

Brantford looked poised after the first half of the game to secure their 3rd win of the year. But as Red Sox fans are all too well aware by now, putting together 9 full innings of baseball hasn't been the team's strong suit. Seemingly right on schedule, Brantford found themselves in quick trouble in the bottom of the 5th. After loading the bases to start the inning, Brantford starter Kendri Salvador had a comebacker glance off his hand, the Panthers scoring a run in the process. Salvador, indicating he was OK, stayed in. But with the momentum now back on their side, Kitchener quickly put up 2 more runs on bloop singles to tie the game. Then Salvador served up a grand slam to put the Panthers ahead 9-5. Reliever Graham Tebbit came in and fared no better, walking his first batter faced before giving up a 2 run homerun. By the time Brantford finally escaped the 5th inning they had given up 9 runs and trailed Kitchener 11-5.

With the game now all but over Brantford would  add one more run , and Kitchener would score a few more. Final score was Kitchener 14 Brantford 6. 

FOR BRANTFORD: Missed opportunities early on cost the Red Sox what was a very winnable game - they simply cannot keep loading the bases without scoring runs. Branford stranded 12 runners in total. Failure to pull the starter sooner when trouble arose also cost Brantford dearly again tonight. Nick Burdett had 3 hits, including home run #5 on the season. Liam Sutherland had two hits and Jamiel Orozco also added a pair of hits, including his first IBL home run. 

NEXT UP: Brantford wraps up 3 games in 3 days back at home on Friday. It's Skilled Trades Appreciation Night at the ballpark, sponsored by Elite Welding Solutions & Elite Welding Consumables  - from 6 to 8 pm local companies will be attending with displays of their products and equipment, and will welcome questions about their apprenticeship, products and their companies The Skills Ontario Mobile Classroom will also be on site, with demonstrations, displays and activities; welding simulator available, and an active robotic station material handling station.

Door prizes for Journeypersons and Apprentices who provide a copy of their documents. The First 50 Journeypersons who present a copy of their Certificate of Qualification or Certificate of Apprenticeship at the gate will receive free admission. And the First 50 Registered Apprentices who present their registration documentation at the gate will also receive free admission.

Then stick around as the Brantford Red Sox take on the Barrie Baycats, first pitch is 8 pm at Arnold Anderson Stadium. Advance tickets are available at brantfordredsox.com/tickets.

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Established in 1911, the Brantford Red Sox have been an institution in the Southwestern Ontario community for over a century. The Brantford Red Sox are the most historically decorated active team in the Intercounty Baseball League, appearing in 27 finals and winning 15 IBL championships. 

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