Border Cats up 4 runs as rain suspends game

The Border Cats (4-1) were three outs away from having a rain out deliver them a win over the St. Cloud River Bats (3-2) Tuesday.

The Cats were up 4-0 on the River Bats as the teams prepared to enter the fifth inning at Port Arthur Stadium. But the rain that provided a sloppy field from the opening pitch forced an end to the game before an important fifth could start.

League rules allow the score of a rained out game to be called final if teams play beyond five innings. Not completing those five innings means the Cats could not collect a win Tuesday and will have to complete the game when the River Bats return on June 23.

“We started to put some runs together,” said Border Cats manager Mike Steed. “We got up four (runs) and the guys were swinging the bat, but the skies opened up and stymied that.”

When the River bats return to Port Arthur Stadium later this month the teams will finish the suspended game starting in the top of the fifth with the Border Cats retaining their 4-0 lead.

The Cats scored all four of their runs in the third inning before weather rained on their parade. The offensive onslaught of that inning forced the River Bats to grab a relief pitcher from their bullpen before entering the fourth.

Chasing an opponent’s starter out of the game is exactly what Steed had wanted his team to do since the season started.

“We did that and I think our guys did a great job,” he said. “I’m sure the rain might have had a little to do with it, but we got to their bullpen like we wanted to. We did it early and we did it on our own accord. No pitch-count rule tonight; I think we chased their starter out.”

Defensively, the Border Cats were nearly flawless. The River Bats didn’t see more than three of their batters at the plate each inning, as the Cats were able to retire them in order either at the plate or on base.

Cats’ starting pitcher Garrett Yount recorded three strikeouts and allowed two hits. Both successful River Bats hitters were sent back to their dugout after failed stealing attempts.

The Border Cats end their seven-game homestand with a 4-1 winning record. Two games, one against the River Bats and an earlier outing against the Duluth Huskies, were rescheduled because of rain.

The Cats head on a six-day road trip that will see them face the Mankato Moondogs and Rochester Honkers.

The team returns to Port Arthur Stadium Wednesday, June 16.