ROCHESTER, Minn -- Two big home runs, and a run filled eighth proved the difference in the Honkers (7-33) game this afternoon in their 10-6 loss to the Willmar Stingers (22-19), that started an hour late due to rain.

The Honkers got a solid start out of Max Gamboa as he continues to be lengthened out. Gamboa went four innings giving up only two runs on three hits but walking three while striking out two.

Gamboa gave up his first run in the second, when he walked Danny Mayer to lead-off the inning, but allowed him to score three batters later when Kole Cattam singled to left making the score 1-0.

The next run came in the fourth when Gamboa gave up a home run to right fielder Justin Toerner to make the score 2-0. In the bottom half of the inning the Honkers added two of their own, when newcomer Ryan Fitzpatrick hit his first of the summer with a towering two-run blast to left to drive in Turner Buis, who extended his hit streak to 16 games, to make the score 2-2.

However that tie didn't last long.

In Sam Bjorngjeld's first inning of the day, Bjorngjeld allowed the first two to reach before giving up a three-run home run to Danny Pardo to make the score 5-2.

In the sixth they added one more and threatened to add more but Bjorngjeld got Greg lambert to ground into a 5-4-3 double play on a great start to the twin killing by third basemen Keaton Weisz.

The Honkers cut into the WIllmar lead in the bottom of the seventh. Ellis was able to draw a walk to lead off the inning. Following a line out to right, Josh Davis hit the first pitch he saw over the left-center wall to make the score 10-4.

The Honkers couldn't get it any closer in that inning and in the eighth, Bjorngjeld in his fourth inning, gave up a run on an error by shortstop Jacob Thomas, and following a Greg Lambert walk, Bjorngjeld was relieved by David Worrell with the bases loaded.

Worrell allowed one run to score on a passed ball, then struck out Danny Mayer to give hope to the Honkers that they would get out of the inning only down by four. That hope was dashed quickly as Toerner struck again with a two run single to right to make the score 10-4.

The Honkers were shut down in the eighth and made things interesting in the ninth. Bradley Bailey gave up a two-run home run to Josh Davis, his second of the game to make the score 10-6 then allowed the next three to reach to bring up the tying run in Fitzpatrick. However on a 3-2 pitch, Fitzpatrick grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game

The win was given to Tyler Hanson (W, 4-0) who went eight innings giving up four runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out one. Bjorngjeld (L, 2-2) was given the loss as he gave up eight runs, seven earned, walking and striking out four.

The Honkers are at home for the fourth of seven straight home games tomorrow as they take the field at 7:05 for a second straight game against the Willmar Stingers.

 

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