WATERLOO, Iowa — The Thunder Bay Border Cats can’t get home quickly enough.
The Cats were edged 5-4 on the road on Thursday by the Waterloo Bucks, their fourth straight loss as they continue a woeful six-game road trip, returning home in last place in the Great Plains East Division with a 2-8 record.
Waterloo’s Aaron Ujumori singled to right with none out in the bottom of the ninth inning, plating Greg Nichols with the game-winning run.
The Cats had battled back in their half of the inning to tie the game 4-4, Travis Chestnut walking, stealing second and third and scoring on a wild pitch by Waterloo reliever Luke Llewellyn.
Thunder Bay had also rallied from a run down in the eight to even the score 3-3, Peter Fusek’s infield single enough to allow Logan Johnstone to scamper down the line with the tying run.
Thunder Bay starter Matt Juza had a strong outing allowing two runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings of work.
Jacob Gajic, who went the rest of the way, took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits and a pair of walks, half of the hits going for extra bases. He slipped to 0-2 with the loss.
Llewellyn (2-1) picked up the win, pitching the final two innings, giving up a run on a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Daylan Pena had a 2-for-4 performance at the plate for the Border Cats, scoring once and driving in one. Thunder Bay batters managed just four hits on the day, though they did draw six free passes.
It was the first game of a day-night doubleheader for the two teams. The second game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. on Thursday night.
