(Thunder Bay, ONT) – The MoonDogs (15-17) used a balanced offensive attack and a dominant performance from the bullpen to defeat Thunder Bay (12-20) 7-3 on Tuesday night in Thunder Bay. The MoonDogs pitchers combined to strikeout 14 Border Cat batters and the bullpen went 4 1/3 no-hit innings.
The MoonDog offense was led by first baseman Cody Decker, who was 3-for-5. Shortstop Jason Christian was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Third baseman Adam Abraham also had two hits, scored once, and drove in one. A pair of outfielders, CJ Belanger and Jovan Rodriguez, combined for two hits, three runs scored, and two RBI. Designated hitter James Keithley and catcher Mike Melillo each scored once for the MoonDogs.
Starter Garett Claypool couldn’t last long enough to get the win, but managed throw 4 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and fanning seven. Reliever Mark Haderlein (1-0) came in to record the win, throwing an inning and two-thirds hitless innings. Relievers Josh Castanza, Tom Porter, and Chad Dawson combined to finish the final three hitless innings.
The Border Cats were led by shortstop Brandon McCall, who was 2-for-3. Third baseman Chris Curley had a double and two RBI. Designated hitter Temple MacDonald also had a double with a run scored and an RBI. Outfielders Gabe Marchant and Kevin Dudley each scored once for the Border Cats.
Thunder Bay starter Jeff Thomson (0-4) went five innings, giving up five runs on nine hits in the loss. Dan Zehr pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief, giving up two unearned runs on two hits. Jason Markovitz and Josh Moffitt combined to finish off the game with a hitless inning and two-thirds.