Honkers Win Nail-Biter 3-2
Published on July 2, 2012 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Rochester Honkers News Release
(Rochester, MN) - The Rochester Honkers ended their four-game losing streak with a narrow 3-2 win over the Thunder Bay Border Cats in Thunder Bay, CA on Monday, July 2nd.
The 5-game series now sits at 2-1 in favor of the Border Cats with two more to play.
The Honkers jumped out early with two runs in the top of the first inning. RBI singles from designated hitter Trevor Podratz (Hawai'i) and catcher Chad Wallach (Cal State Fullerton) made it 2-0 before Thunder Bay even batted.
The Honkers scored another run in the top half of the third thanks to an RBI single off the bat of third baseman Brandon Defazio (San Mateo).
Rochester starter Jared Miller (Vanderbilt) was impressive over 7.0 innings of work allowing a single run on five hits. The tall lefty escaped trouble in the bottom of the sixth inning after the Border Cats loaded the bases, but was able to force a ground out to end the threat. Miller struck out eight batters and walked just one to improve his record to 2-0.
Rochester reliever Dylan Nelson (San Mateo) avoided more trouble in the bottom of the eighth when Thunder Bay put runners on first and third with nobody out. A double play and a groundout kept the Honkers lead at 3-1.
Nelson picked up his first save of the season despite a leadoff solo homerun from Border Cats backstop Danny Bethea (St. Johns) to start the ninth. Nelson would then strike out the next two batters before giving up two infield singles to make it very interesting with two on and two out.
However, Nelson would slam the door, forcing a soft lineout to second base to stop the damage and give the Honkers the victory.
Thunder Bay starter Garrett Hughes (Stanford) picked up the loss to move his record to 0-1. Hughes lasted 5.2 innings and surrendered three runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits and two walks.
Honkers second baseman Justin Protacio (Kansas) finished 2 for 3 and Chad Wallach went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
The Honkers (14-19) will try to even the series tomorrow night in Thunder Bay (15-18) with game four of the five-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM. Starting for the Honkers is righty Chris Noble (Pikeville). Noble is 2-3 in five starts with a 6.31 ERA. On the hill for the Border Cats is Kacy Kemmer (Austin Peay State). The right hander Kemmer is 1-2 in four starts with an ERA of 2.28.
The Honkers will not be home again until Saturday, July 7th at 7:05 PM when they battle the Willmar Stingers.
Northwoods League Stories from July 2, 2012
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