Rochester could not hold on to a ninth-inning lead, surrendering three runs en route to a 6-5 loss to Bismarck. The Honkers rallied in the bottom of the ninth, getting the tying run to third, but ultimately could not cash in.

With the game tied at three in the eighth, Rochester called on Otto Grimm (Minnesota) to pinch-hit to lead off the inning. The Golden Gopher launched a go-ahead solo homer to right-center to put the Honkers in front.

The Honker lead would not hold, however, a Ben Teel (Montevallo) bases-loaded walk tied the game with Bismarck down to its final strike. Spencer Sarringar (Northern St) delivered his fourth hit of the night one batter later, a two-run single up the middle to give the Larks the lead.

Rochester battled back in the bottom of the ninth, a Cole Fontenelle (Washington) RBI single made it a one-run ballgame. After a walk to load the bases, Brett Barnett (South Dakota St) induced a Mac Horvath (North Carolina) pop out to earn the save.

The Honkers trailed early after a second-inning three-run homer by Jordan Sagedahl (South Dakota St) but battled back with two of their own in the bottom half. Nico Regino (Delta) drove in two with a single in his first Rochester at-bat.

Rochester went on to tie the game on a Zach Cole (Ball St) single in the sixth.

With the loss, the Honkers fall to 26-27 on the summer and 11-10 in the second half. They open a home and home with the St. Cloud Rox tomorrow, first pitch from Joe Faber Field at 6:05. The call of the game will be available on the Rochester Honkers Radio network. (HonkersBroadcast on MIXLR)

By Nick DeLuca//Broadcasting and Media Relations Intern