THUNDER BAY -- The pitching struggles continue to mount for Border Cats' starters.
Friday’s 7-4 loss to the first-place Duluth Huskies was another example. Starting pitcher Connor Wood lasted just two innings after walking six batters, and giving up five earned runs.
The game followed a familiar narrative for the Border Cats where they outhit their opponent (10-6), but ended up on the wrong side of the run column.
It’s the sixth time it’s happened this season.
“The thing is, we’re getting hits and we’re getting runs,” manager Mitch Feller said. “We’re just not taking care of things on the other side.”
As was the case with Friday. Things broke open in the third inning, when Wood lost control of the plate.
Wood, who moves to 0-2 on the year with the loss, walked four straight batters after surrendering a leadoff single to Duluth’s General McArthur.
McArthur and three other Huskies would come around to score in the inning, despite reliever Jack Rasmussen’s best efforts to mend the damage.
The Huskies ended the top half of the inning with a 5-0 lead.
“We need our starters to come in with a sense of urgency, it looks like sometimes they’re too relaxed,” Feller said.
The Border Cats would get three of those runs back in the bottom half of the inning.
Brandon Trammell provided the games first hit with an RBI double. Meanwhile, Brady Gulakowski and Gunner Hellstrom each provided an RBI single.
Hellstrom provided another RBI in the fifth after executing a hit-and-run to perfection which cashed home Evan Russell from second base.
Hellstrom, who came into the game batting .156, went four-for-four at the plate.
“It definitely felt good to get those,” Hellstrom said post-game. “The last few games I had been hitting line drives right at fielders, so I’m glad I found the holes.”
The last place Border Cats are now 0-4 against Duluth this season, and sit in last place in the Northern Division with a record of 5-19.
“We’re just trying to relax,” said Hellstrom, whose Border Cats have now lost 13 of their last 14 games. “We’ve been close in a few games and we know we can turn things around.”
Duluth will leave town with an 18-6 record, sitting at first place in the division.
The Cats will take on the St. Cloud Rox at home, Saturday at 6 p.m.
