Cats lose in Rochester, all but eliminated

The Thunder Bay Border Cats picked the wrong time to start slumping again.

The Cats fell 7-4 Sunday on the road in Rochester to fall to 13-16 in second-half play, pushing them all but to the brink of elimination in the Northwoods League North Division. It was their fifth straight defeat, after reeling off eight wins in a row.

With six games to go, Thunder Bay is 5.5 games behind Willmar, leaving no room for error.

Cats starter James Buckelew (3-4) gave up four runs in the first, two on wild pitches, to set the stage for the victorious Honkers.

Tyler Duplantis went 2-for-4 with a run scored and one drive in to lead the Cats, who banged out 11 hits, offensively.

Kevin Johnson (2-3), went five innings to pick up the win.

Rochester and Thunder Bay will meet again on Monday. The Cats have Tuesday off and return to Thunder Bay on Wednesday to face Duluth.