The Eau Claire Express couldn't have possibly asked for a better first inning offensively.

They were surely begging for it the last eight innings.

Jack Zoellner's grand slam capped off a five-run first, but the Express could score just one more run after that in an 8-6 loss at the hands of the host Mankato MoonDogs. Mankato swept the two-game weekend series.

After Peter Van Gansen scored on an error, Zoellner took a 2-2 pitch over the fence for his second home run of the season. Tyler Hermann, Brian Mundell and Drew Turbin all scored on the play.

But the MoonDogs chased Express starter Ian Doughty without an out recorded in the second inning by scoring four times to cut the lead to one.

The MoonDogs scored one in the third, one in the fifth and two in the eighth to seal the win.

Eau Claire battled back but could only get one in the top of the ninth when Mike Porcaro singled in Jeff Hendrix. Daniel Salters grounded out to end the game.

Taylor Duree got the loss for Eau Claire, but he still went six innings on the mound and gave up just two runs.

The Express have a day off tomorrow before returning home for a two-game series with the Thunder Bay Border Cats Tuesday and Wednesday. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 6:35 p.m. It is Diabetes Awareness Night, sponsored by Novo Nordisk. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.