Cats blow it in 11th inning, fall 7-6 to Beetles

Drew Erwin gave up runs in both extra innings and the Thunder Bay Border Cats lost their second straight game Wednesday night, falling 7-6 at the hands of the Alexandria Beetles.

Matt Lowenstein scored on a Shawn Riesgraf fielder’s choice in the bottom of the 11th to deliver the Alexandria win. Anthony Armanino held the Cats scoreless in the top half of the inning to earn the win.

Tanner Nivins homered for Thunder Bay his fifth of 2010. Hot-hitting Ryan Court went 3-for-5 with a run, while catcher Will Thorp produced a 3-for-4 effort.

Garrett Houts gave the Cats a 6-5 lead in the 10th, plating Brett Doe on a sacrifice fly, but Erwin couldn't hold the lead in the bottom half of the inning, hitting lead-off hitter Graham Spencer, who eventually came around to score on a two-out single by Marcus Semien that tied the game 6-6.

Starter Jeff Deblieux lasted just 3.1 innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

The Cats return home Thursday to take on Brainerd. Game time is 6:35 p.m.