Cats use seven pitchers, blank River Bats

Seven pitchers combined onfor a three-hit shutout Saturday night, as the Thunder Bay Border Cats hit the Northwoods League all-star break on a modest two-game winning streak.

Kyle Mossbarger and Alex Guthrie did the damage offensively in the 2-0 triumph over the St. Cloud River Bats, driving in runs in the second and sixth innings respectively.

Mossbarger grounded to first to score Ty Wosleger, who had singled, taken second on a stolen base and advanced to third on an error by the River Bats catcher, Michael Williams.

All-star John Straka started the game for the Cats and allowed one hit over two innings, before being lifted as manager Mike Steed decided to share the load with a three-day league shutdown looming.

Taylor Bratton took over and pitched two innings of no-hit ball, followed in succession by Logan birr, Alec Smith, James Kimsey, Donnie White and Brad Delatte.

The River Bats beat chance came in the eighth, when Kimsey walked two batters before Steed responded with a call to White from the bullpen to force a ground out off the bat of St. Cloud’s Keegan Dale.

The Cats (6-4), crept to within half a game of first place Rochester and Alexandria, who face-off against each other on Saturday, a game the host Beetles lead 9-0 in the third.

Andy Urban went the distance for the River Bats, allowing seven hits and two runs, striking out two. Bratton, making his first relief appearance of the season, earned the win to improve to 2-2.

The game was a quick one, lasting just 1:47.