The Bismarck Larks dropped a pitcher’s duel in Mankato, Minnesota on Sunday afternoon after the Mankato Moondogs pitching kept the Larks scoreless in the game. This is just the second time the Larks have been shutout this season.
What’s Next: The Larks will take on the Moondogs one more time to finish off the roadstand of four games to try and tie up the series and go home splitting the four game road trip. First pitch in Mankato is set for 6:35pm.
How It Happened: The game was scoreless through two and a half innings before the Moondogs got on the board first after the first five batters inning reached against starting pitcher Eric Hildebrand. The first batter singled for the first hit of the game for the Moondogs while the next two walked before the next two picked up RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead. Still without an out in the inning Hildebrand then got a ground ball back to him that started a 1-2-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning. Hildebrand then got a lineout to officially limit the damage to just two runs.
The Larks looked to get things started offensively in the fifth when Cole Taylor reached on a one-out walk before AJ DiFillipo singled to make it first and third with one out. DiFillipo was then picked off at first before a ground ball ended the threat.
The Moondogs added one more in the bottom of the fifth with two outs when a single through the right side before an RBI double scored the third and final run of the game.
Eric Hildebrand picked up his third quality start of the season for the Larks but got the loss in six innings of work with six strikeouts. He did a good job of pitching in and out of trouble in the outing.
Inside The Boxscore: Jack Chernow had half of the hits for the Larks as he had two more in the game. He is eight for his last 10 at the plate in the last two games. Zack Gregory walked two more times to up his total to 18 on the season through just 13 games which is good enough for first in all of the Northwoods League. He also leads the league in on-base percentage at .600.
