(7/1/06) The Thunder Bay Border Cats sent their fans home happy on Canada Day, topping the Mankato MoonDogs 9-3 on Saturday afternoon.

Gabe Marchant went 2-for-5, one of four Border Cats to post a multi-hit game, and hit his first home run of the season in addition to three runs scored. Every starter in the Thunder Bay lineup had at least one hit as MoonDogs starter Fabian Gomez was roughed up for six runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings.

Canada Day was a long one for the MoonDogs, and not just because of the final score. After winning an extra-inning affair with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Mankato Friday night, the MoonDogs rode the bus for seven hours, arriving in Thunder Bay at 8:00 a.m. They were greeted by a morning thunderstorm which delayed the game by one hour.

Despite all of that, the ‘Dogs grabbed an early lead when the sun finally came out. Ryan Manthei’s double put Mankato on the board in the second inning, scoring Adam Kampsen. Manthei moved to third on a long fly out, and then scored on a base hit by Ben Geelan to give the MoonDogs a 2-0 lead.

The lead would be short-lived, however. Thunder Bay rallied for three runs in the fourth, and four more runs in the fifth to chase Gomez (0-2) from the game. Jason Belk pitched 1.2 innings of relief, allowing one run on four hits. Dueces were wild for Pat Cassa, who threw two innings, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out two and walking two.

Border Cats starter Steven Stewart (3-2) beat the MoonDogs for the second time in a week, scattering eight hits over seven innings.