Ninth-inning error sends Border Cats to fourth straight defeat

Devlin McLemore’s ninth-inning error cost the Thunder Bay Border Cats a shot to snap a three-game losing streak.

McLemore, who entered Monday’s contest against the host Willmar Stingers with the game tied 4-4, gave up a leadoff double to Casey Hughston to start the ninth. Then, with pinch-hitter Alex Borglin at the plate, McLemore’s miscue allowed Hughston to score the game winner and secure a 5-4 triumph for the second-place Stingers.

The struggling Cats (3-11) took a 3-2 lead in the third and led 4-2 after batting in the fifth.

Thunder Bay sent eight batters to the plate in the third, Tyler Rolland’s single to right off Willmar starter Kurt Yinger scoring a pair of runs, giving him seven RBI on the season.

Robb Paller added to the Cats lead in the fifth, coming home on a passed ball charged to Stingers catcher Christian Correa.

But Willmar clawed back, getting one in the fifth off Thunder Bay starter Kevin Woebke and another on a seventh-inning Brian Pruett sacrifice fly that tied the game at four runs apiece.

Willmar (10-4) remained a game back of front-running St. Cloud in the Northwoods League’s North Division race.

The Cats open a four-game home-stand on Tuesday at Port Arthur Stadium against Alexandria.