ROCHESTER, Minn. – Devon Smith came through in the clutch.
The Thunder Bay Border Cats designated hitter delivered a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning on Sunday night, all the offence his team would need as they went on to edge the host Rochester Honkers 2-1.
It was the second straight win for the Thunder Bay squad, who improved to 6-11 and escaped the Great Plains East Division basement, leapfrogging their opponent into fifth place.
The two runs gave the Cats a 2-0 lead at the time.
Rochester got one back in the bottom of the eighth off starter Braden Gluth, who pitched a stellar eight innings, allowing just a single run on seven hits and a walk. He struck out three.
The lone run he surrendered was a leadoff home run by the Honkers' Jake Jackson.
Peter Fusek took over in the ninth to earn the save.
Gluth was rewarded with the win, improving to 1-0. Rochester starter Beau Alazaus took the loss, despite a sparking seven-inning effort that saw him give up just two runs on five hits and three walks.
The Border Cats and Honkers will wrap up their four-game set on Monday. Thunder Bay heads to Mankato for a pair on Tuesday and Wednesday and returns home on Thursday for a doubleheader against the Willmar Stingers.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at Port Arthur Stadium.
