Border Cats trounced 9-3 by Express

EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. – The Thunder Bay Border Cats dug an early hole on Tuesday night and never managed to climb out.

The Northwoods League team spotted the host Eau Claire Express a 3-0 lead in the first inning, gave up two more in the third and went down to a 9-3 defeat to fall below .500 for the first time in the second half, dropping to 3-4.

Brandon Langon lasted just three innings for Thunder Bay, giving up five runs on four hits and four walks, the loss his sixth in seven decisions.

Sam Hurt homered and drove in five for the Express (4-2).

Glen Klenovich had a pair of RBI for the Cats, helping them climb to within two in the seventh, trailing 5-3. But the Express responded with four in the bottom of the inning off Thunder Bay reliever Angelo Spedafino.

Jon Robelz picked up the win, lasting into the seventh. He allowed just four hits, walking four and surrendering three runs. Jonathan Tripp pitched the final 2.2 innings to grab the save, his first.

The two teams tangle again on Wednesday night.