THUNDER BAY – It wasn’t quite the homecoming the Thunder Bay Border Cats had in mind.
Playing their first game in more than a week at Tbaytel Park, the Border Cats were on the wrong end of a 9-0 loss to the Mankato MoonDogs on Saturday.
Mankato wasted little time getting on the board, taking an early lead after a run-scoring single off Thunder Bay starter Zach Thiac.
Thiac settled down from there and held Mankato off the board until the seventh, when after he was chased allowing the first two batters to reach base, Paul Panaccione drove in a pair with a single.
The contest remained within striking distance until the final frame, when the MoonDogs exploded with six runs for more than enough insurance.
Mankato tagged Border Cats reliever Nate Steger, who was charged with five runs.
MoonDogs starter Grant Hamilton (2-0) tossed seven scoreless innings while Thiac (0-1) was saddled with the loss in his first start and third appearance of the campaign.
Panaccione finished the game driving in four runs.
The Border Cats (10-8) are off on Sunday before taking on the Willmar Stingers at 7 p.m. Monday for a four game series.
