Fernando Rodney Picks Up First IBL Save

BARRIE – Johnathan Solazzo homered, and Fernando Rodney earned his first Intercounty save in Hamilton's 2-1 win on Saturday in Barrie.  

Solazzo singled in the first inning and drilled a solo home run two innings later to put Hamilton ahead 2-0 at the time. Tommy Reyes-Cruz drove in Hamilton’s first run with an RBI single, and Niko Kekatos went 3-for-4.  

That set the stage for Rodney, the former MLB all-star in his first IBL season. The 48-year-old, after a bumpy start to the campaign, struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth to help Hamilton improve to 3-1.  

Freisis Adames started on the mound and allowed a run on four hits in four innings. He walked one and fanned seven.  

Barrie starter Juan Benitez (0-1) was saddled with the loss after giving up two runs on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out three and didn’t issue a walk.  

Noel McGarry-Doyle went 2-for-3 with an RBI for Barrie (1-5). Francisco Hernandez also had a pair of hits and scored a run.