A pair of walks and a dropped third strike paved the way for Eau Claire’s three-run eighth Wednesday night, the difference in their 5-2 win over the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
Express first baseman Tim Wise had the big blow, a two-out single that plated the final two runs of the contest, which the Cats had tied with a pair of runs in the top half of the inning.
Daniel Stoney was tagged with the loss, charged with all three runs in the eighth.
He took over from starter Steven Cazares, who when 6.1 strong, giving up two runs on six hits and three walks.
Kyle Hann had the lone RBI for the Border Cats, who fell to 6-18, reduced to playing out the string and possibly the role of spoiler.
Eau Claire reliever Matt Trowbridge earned the win.