ROCHESTER–The Stingers may lead the Northwoods League in runs scored, but the Willmar offense wasn’t itself on Friday as the Stingers were shut out 6-0 by the Rochester Honkers at Mayo Field. For the second straight start, Roy Metter was sublime, allowing just one earned run on a measly three hits over seven innings pitched. Unfortunately, the dearth of offense for Willmar doomed Metter to suffer his second loss of 2010.

Honkers starter Mike Strong was every bit Metter’s equal on Friday as the All Star threw six shutout innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven Stingers along the way. Rochester managed a single run in the third, but once Metter left after the seventh, and Daniel Zapata came on for the eighth, the wheels came of for Willmar. Zapata gave up five earned runs on four hits and a walk while recording a single out.

Next up for the 22-21 Stingers, it’s a pair of games at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato with the Moondogs before three days off for the All Star Break. The next home game for Willmar isn’t until July 27th against the Alexandria Beetles. For tickets, call 320-222-2010 or visit willmarstingers.com for more information. Be sure to check out wctrib.com for all your Stingers coverage. The 2010 season is presented by Charter.