Express fall again as Thunder Bay takes control

Box Score – Virtual Game Day Program

It was another tough day at the ballpark for the Eau Claire Express who fell to the Thunder Bay Border Cats 10-5 at Carson Park.

The Border Cats jumped out to an early lead in the first inning and never surrendered it again to sweep the two-game series.

Eau Claire would start to mount a comeback when Nathan Krause would launch his second home run of the season to put the Express on the board in the third inning and make the score 3-1.

Kyle Marinconz would launch his second home run in as many nights to give the Express another run in the fourth inning but not after Thunder Bay would add one of their own which made it 4-2.

The Express would allow six more runs in the final four innings while only getting three of their own as Thunder Bay collected 15 hits. Express Field Manager Dale Varsho said it was tough to watch because many of them were bloop singles or ground balls through the infield.

“Yeah it was frustrating but Thunder Bay did that to us all year,” said Varsho. “They put the ball in play and find some holes, they’re a good team.”

CJ Eldred got the start on the mound for the Express and earned a loss despite pitching through the seventh inning. He allowed 13 hits and seven runs, all earned, with a walk and a strikeout.

Victor Sanchez would strike out the side when he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in relief. With just six games left he said the bullpen is hanging in there.

“It’s that time of the year where near the end of the season when arms start breaking down a little bit,” said Sanchez. “I think we’re competing fine it’s just sometimes bad luck or bad bounces.”

He did say however that there is still plenty of fight left.

“Vic Cable comes around every day asking who’s good to go,” said Sanchez. “It’s starting to slim down a little bit with everyone leaving and people reaching their innings limits but people want to compete. And there’s a lot of opportunity with the last week of the season coming up.”

Tomorrow the Express end their final home stand of the year tomorrow when the Duluth Huskies come to town for a 6:35 p.m. game at Carson Park. It’s Turn Back the Clock Night sponsored by Royal Credit Union. Players will wear throwback Eau Claire Bears jerseys and there will be an Eau Claire Bears mascot mini bobble head giveaway. The Express play their final home game on Wednesday, August 5 when they wrap up the season at Carson Park against Duluth.