A second chance wasn’t enough for the Thunder Bay Border Cats to find a way to victory in their season opener.
The Border Cats fell 15-6 to the Mankato MoonDogs at Tbaytel Park early Wednesday afternoon, completing the rain suspended contest that began the previous evening.
The game resumed in the top of the fourth inning with the visitors ahead 6-2 and they wasted little time expanding the lead.
With the first two batters aboard, Mankato’s Jake Shepski laced a double off Border Cats reliever Gunnar Kay to bring them both home.
Shepski came around to score later in the inning after a throwing error by Kay, Thunder Bay’s third of the contest.
The five-run frame was capped off by a run-scoring single off the bat of Alex Tucker.
Gavin Wehby added a two-run double in the fifth and Alvaro Rubalcaba took Border Cats pitcher Jordan Thompson yard in the eighth with a solo shot over the left field fence.
The Border Cats added a pair in the bottom half of the eighth after a pair of bases loaded walks but the threat was ended after Bryce Jorgenson was thrown out rounding third on a ground ball.
Mankato’s Nate Jones (1-0) picked up the win while Cats starter Austin Paisar (0-1) was saddled with the loss.
Mankato completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-0 win in the second contest, which was only seven innings.
MoonDogs starter Jordan Harms (1-0) tossed five shutout innings with five strikeouts in the winning effort.
The visitors were paced by a three-run second inning to grab a commanding lead.
Claw marks: Attendance was announced at 1,985 for the second game…More than 1,800 school children were in attendance on Wednesday for their annual day game…The Border Cats have lost five of their last six season openers, with last year’s 7-0 victory over the Eau Claire Express as the exception…Hometown Cats Cooper Lamke and Jorgenson each reached base twice, Lamke with two hits and Jorgenson with a pair of walks.
