EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. – Erik Key was just short of brilliant against the Eau Claire Express.
The Thunder Bay Border Cats starter faced the minimum number of batters through five innings, allowed just one hit over seven and led his team to a 6-1 road win that evened their second-half record at 1-1.
Spencer Myers collected the only hit off Key, singling to lead off the fourth inning before quickly being erased when the next Eau Claire batter, Jimmy Glowenke, hit into a 4-6-3 double play. Key also benefited from his defence in the second and third inning, the infielders turning double plays to nullify a pair of walks.
At the plate, the Border Cats were aided by some sloppy Express defence, Eau Claire committing four errors on the night, leading to three unearned runs.
Nick Conti was 2-for-4 with an RBI for Thunder Bay, with Ben McConnell and Brandon Bossard driving in single runs apiece.
Key allowed one hit and walked four batters to pick up the win and evened his record at 3-3. Carson Rudd surrendered four runs over five innings and took the loss for the Express (1-1).
John Sakowski allowed the lone Express run in the ninth, Andrew Pratt homering with two outs to spoil the combined shutout bid.
The Border Cats continue their road trip on Friday with a trip to North Dakota to take on the Bismarck Larks, the opener in the two-game set. They then travel to Mankato for two against the Moon Dogs and then home on Tuesday when the Larks hit Port Arthur Stadium.
