Rochester Honkers lose game, series at Thunder Bay - Post Bulletin | Rochester Minnesota news, weather, sports (original) (raw)

The Rochester Honkers took a lead into the eighth inning Sunday night, but couldn't hold it and fell in extra innings to the Thunder Bay Border Cats.

Contributed / Rochester Honkers

THUNDER BAY, Ontario — The Rochester Honkers received an outstanding pitching performance from starter Maclain Roberts here Sunday.

The Honkers bats couldn't offer enough run support, though, and the bullpen couldn't hold a slim lead.

The result was a 2-1 Honkers loss in 10 innings to the Thunder Bay Border Cats in a Northwoods League baseball game at Port Arthur Stadium.

Thunder Bay swept the two-game series, with a 6-4 win on Saturday and Sunday's extra-innings victory.

Roberts threw six scoreless and hitless innings — the game was scoreless through six — allowing just three baserunners in that span (two walks, one hit batter). The 6-foot-5, 225-pound left-handed University of Arizona standout faced just three batters more than the minimum, and lowered his ERA this summer to 1.29. Roberts has worked 14 innings so far as a Honker, and has allowed just five hits and two earned runs.

Thunder Bay starter Tyler Bribiescas matched Roberts' effort. Bribiescas threw six shutout innings, allowing just one hit, no walks, and one hit batter, while striking out eight.

Rochester finally got on the board in the seventh, when Matt MacDonald and Robert Orr singled, then Tim Ford delivered a one-out base hit that plated MacDonald. The Honkers loaded the bases with one out, but couldn't get another run across.

Thunder Bay answered in the bottom of the eighth, stringing together two walks and a base hit to load the bases, then tying the score on an RBI groundout.

It remained 1-1 into the 10th, when the Border Cats' Logan Groh drove in the game-winning run with a single to center field.

Rochester returns home Monday to start a four-game home stand at 6:35 p.m. against the La Crosse Loggers at Mayo Field.

BOX SCORE: Thunder Bay 2, Rochester 1, 10 innings

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