THUNDER BAY – A three-run fourth was all the visiting Bismarck Larks needed on Wednesday night to send the Thunder Bay Border Cats to a second straight defeat.
Tristen Carranza reached on an error by Thunder Bay third baseman Billy Cook that allowed the first Bismarck run to cross the plate and three batters later C.J. Shaefer singled home two more as the Larks went on to a 3-1 triumph.
The loss wasted a solid effort from Thunder Bay starter Luke Malone, who gave up all three runs, allowing five hits and a walk over six innings.
He’d be tagged with the loss.
Zack Jones surrendered an unearned run, giving up five hits and walking four batters over six innings of his own to pick up the victory, the first in three appearances for the Rockford, Ill. native.
Omar Maldonado pitched three innings of scoreless relief for the Border Cats, whose lone run came in the fourth, Willie Bourbon scoring on an error by Bismarck shortstop Jacob Nesbit.
The Cats fell to 4-4 in second-half play, Bismarck winning for just the second time in eight games – both at the expense of Thunder Bay.
The Border Cats will look to get back into the win column on Thursday night at Port Arthur Stadium against the Larks, the third game of their four-game set. Calvin Wood is expected to get the call for Thunder Bay.
