ROCHESTER, Minn. – An 11th-inning error by centre-fielder Ben McConnell sent the Thunder Bay Border Cats back into the loss column on Tuesday night.
With a runner on third and two outs, McConnell misplayed a ball off the bat of Michael Michalak, allowing the Rochester Honkers Jaylon McLaughlin to trot home with the game-winning run, handing Thunder Bay a 2-1 defeat, its 10th loss in 11 outings.
It was a disappointing end to a brilliant pitching performance from the Cats.
Starter Joey Cardamon went six strong, allowing just two hits and a single run, Alex McGarry singled home McLaughlin in the sixth that gave Rochester a 1-0 lead at the time.
The Cats tied it up an inning later when their No. 9 hitter, Nick Conti, plated Brandon Trammell from second with a single up the middle off reliever Michael Brandt, who took over in the sixth from starter Darin Kilfoyl.
Thunder Bay’s best chance to take the lead came in the 10th, when McConnell singled and stole second with two outs, but Billy Cook struck out swinging to end the threat.
The last-place Border Cats (5-16) also had runners on first and second with two outs in the 11th, but Ryan Casper struck out Brandon Trammell on five pitches.
Connor Fabing tossed 3.1 innings of one-hit, shutout ball for Thunder Bay, the loss going to closer Andrew Gross (0-2). Casper (1-0) took the win for Rochester (12-9), who are tied for third in the Northwoods League's North Division, three games behind Duluth.
The two teams wrap up their two-game set on Wednesday night.
