July 30--MANKATO -- The Rochester Honkers snapped a tie with a run in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Mankato MoonDogs 4-3 Thursday night in Northwoods League baseball.

The Honkers scored the winning run without the benefit of a hit. Richie Jimenez walked and scored the winning run on an error.

The MoonDogs had scored three unearned runs off reliever Anthony Lopez in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the score. The inning was extended by two errors and Jordan Steranka hit a three-run double to tie the score.

Mankato's late rally prevent Rochester's Mike Strong from getting the victory. Strong delivered six innings of shutout baseball. He allowed five hits while fanning three MoonDogs and issuing two walks to drop his ERA to 1.19. Just six days ago Strong had earned his fifth win of the year with seven shutout innings against Mankato.

Anthony Lopez (1-0) pitched two innings out of the bullpen surrendering three unearned runs to collect the victory. Mitch Caster closed out the ninth inning, facing just four batters while not allowing a hit, to earn his first save.

Josef Terry sparked a three-run Honkers fifth inning with a two-run double. Ryan Hambright also hit a double for the Honkers.

The Honkers have now won three straight to improve to 8-9 in the second half of the season. The MoonDogs fall to 7-12.

The two teams travel Rochester to play again today at 7:05 p.m. at Mayo Field.

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