Cats drop second straight, fall to 5-12

The losing continues at Tbaytel Park at Port Arthur Stadium.

The Border Cats wasted a complete game seven-hitter by starter Cole Stapler on Friday night, falling 4-2 to the visiting Waterloo Bucks, who jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, all the offence they would need.

Shortstop Matt Batten, hitting in the leadoff spot despite a .210 batting average, and Max Dutto drove in the Thunder Bay runs.

Jared James had two hits in four at bats hitting in the three-hole, retaking the Northwoods batting lead. He’s now hitting a healthy .383.

Mikael Mogues had three hits for Thunder Bay, who lost a second straight to the Bucks at home. 

No Bucks batter had more than a single hit off Stapler.

Reliever Doug Hayes, who came on in the fifth, picked up the win.

The Border Cats travel to St. Cloud on Saturday and return home next Thursday to face the Wisconsin Woodchucks.