Cats earn split in Rochester

The Thunder Bay Border Cats could only manage a split on Thursday in doubleheader action against the host Rochester Honkers.

The Cats scored four runs in the sixth inning to take the opener 6-5, a game originally started the night before, but postponed because of rain.

Ino Patron made just his second hit of the season count, driving in a pair for the Cats in support of reliever Brad Delatte, who took the win pitching 4.1 innings after starter John Straka only lasted two innings.

Rochester rallied with a run in the eighth and two in the ninth to close the gap to one, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Donnie White came on and earned the save for Thunder Bay.

The nightcap was a completely different story for the Cats (7-8), who surrendered three in the fourth and three more in the sixth en route to an 8-2 defeat.

Both Thunder Bay runs, scored in the first and second innings to give the Cats a 2-0 lead, were unearned off Rochester starter Matt Strahm.

Reid Rooney started for the Cats, but only lasted three innings. Lee Valencheck, who took over in the fourth, gave up three unearned runs to take the loss.

Thunder Bay returns home Thursday night to take on the Willmar Stingers. Logan Birr is expected to take the mound for the Cats. He’s 0-0 with a 2.46 ERA in two starts this season.