Rochester, MN – The St. Cloud Rox scored six times in the eighth inning and nine runs in the last four innings to overcome a four-run deficit Monday night and defeat the Rochester Honkers 9-5 at Mayo Field. Pinch hitter Morgan Phillips brought in three runs with a double in the eighth inning to put the Rox (17-15, 36-31) ahead as they are now just two games out of first place in the North Division.

After starter Matt Rodgers allowed two earned runs in his 4.1 innings of work, the Rox began their late-inning surge in the sixth with a two-run double from Seth Heck to score Kade Scivicque and Clay Ardeeser, and cut the Honkers lead in half. After getting nothing in the seventh, they went for six more in the eighth, which began with a solo home run from Ardeeser, his sixth of the year. 

They added another off an RBI single from Liam Bedford to tie the game before Phillips doubled to left field to score three runs and give the Rox the lead. He then scored two batters later on a wild pitch to bring the inning total to six as Charles Galiano brought the scoring to a head with an RBI single in the ninth.

Trevor Charpie (4-1) picked up the victory in the relief effort as he struck out four batters and allowed one hit in 3.2 innings pitched. Kevin Burgee came on to pitch the ninth for the Rox and allowed a solo home run but kept the lead intact as the Rox picked up the 9-5 win.

Tonight’s box score can be found at http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=210717.

The Rox and Honkers will finish the two-game series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., as the Northwoods League will pause Tuesday for the Big League Dreams Showcase in Madison. They return home on Thursday, August 7^th to begin a two-game series with Thunder Bay, which is Summertime St. Patty’s Night, where the first 500 fans 21 and older will receive a Rox pint glass, presented by Miller Lite.

Single game tickets can be purchased 24 hours a day at www.stcloudrox.com, by calling (320) 240-9798 or by visiting the Rox ticket office located at the Municipal Athletic Complex.

For more coverage of the Rox, visit www.sctimes.com.