WATERLOO, Iowa -- Second-half pitching woes continue to haunt the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
The Cats gave up four runs in the third and six more in the fourth and went down to their third straight Northwoods League defeat on Wednesday night, falling 15-2 on the road at the hands of the Waterloo Bucks.
It was the third straight loss for Thunder Bay, who fell to 2-7 in second-half play, dropping their third straight contest.
Michael Lippe, Aaron Ujimori and Max Shor, the 7-8-9 hitters in the Bucks lineup, did most of the damage for Waterloo, combining to go 5-for-9 with eight RBI, also drawing four walks.
Thunder Bay starter Peyton Leon couldn't escape the third, giving up five runs on five hits and five walks -- five of the 11 free passes issued by Thunder Bay hurlers on the night.
Sawyer Barron took over in relief and was victimized for six runs on three hits, followed by Cole Poirrier, who allowed four runs on five hits.
Seth White picked up the win for the Bucks, pitching five innings of shutout ball.
Thunder Bay's lone runs came in the eighth. Karson Krowka drew a bases-loaded walk and Carter Allen launched a sacrifice fly, but it was too little, too late.
The Cats and Bucks will meet again on Thursday, playing a day-night doubleheader. They'll wrap up their series on Friday night, Thunder Bay returning home on Saturday against Mankato.
