Green Bay 5, Wisconsin 3
In a pitchers duel, it was the long ball that propelled the ‘Frogs to the win. The Bullfrogs came from behind to beat the Wisconsin Woodchucks on Wednesday 5-3. Duncan McAlpine hit a line drive two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning to give Green Bay the lead for good. Tim Giel tossed seven innings to win his fourth game before the All-Star break. Adam Cimber earned his third save this season. In the eighth inning, Paul Hoenecke led off with a single to right and moved to second on a slight bobble by the right fielder. It was an aggressive play to put the go-ahead run in scoring position with no body out. Eric Peterson flied out and Phillip Ervin struck out after the single before McAlpine hit a line drive home run to right field. It was his first of the year. Mark Garcia would come in and tossed a perfect eighth inning before Adam Cimber earned his third save of the year facing just four hitters in the ninth.
Rochester 3, St. Cloud 2
The Rochester Honkers came out with guns blazing, getting three runs in the first two innings of Wednesday night’s game against the St. Cloud River Bats. That would be all the Honkers would need, as starting pitcher Jeff McKenzie would hold off the River Bats, and the Honkers would win 3-2 from Mayo Field. McKenzie gave the Honkers one of the best pitching performances of the season, going 8.0 innings, allowing just two runs on two hits. McKenzie brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning, before the River Bats struck for back-to-back hits with one out in the inning. McKenzie’s performance would earn him his first win of the season and improve his record to 1-1. Tony Kemp went 3-for-5 with a run and his collegiate teammate Spencer Navin went 2-for-3 with a run as well. Austin House would get his fifth save of the season, and fourth in five games, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning, sealing the Honkers victory.
Brainerd 15, Alexandria 9
Dan Olinger’s 4-for-6 night with a home run and five RBIs led the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers to a 15-9 victory over the Alexandria Beetles.
Nick Hamilton also had a nice night for the Lunkers, going 3-for-6 with 4 RBIs.
The Beetles made some noise late in the game, but the Lunkers led comfortably throughout.
John McLeod gets the win for the Lunkers. He pitched five innings giving up four hits and four runs.
Corey Miller takes the loss for Alexandria. Miller only went two innings, giving up seven runs and eight hits.
Wisconsin Rapids 11, Battle Creek 4
Michael Huckabay did not allow a base runner to the Battle Creek Bombers until the fourth, and held them scoreless into the seventh, and helped the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters cruise to an 11-4 win Wednesday night. Huckabay, making his seventh start, faced the minimum through four, allowing just a single in the fourth. Garrett Nash and Justin Jirschele each notched an RBI in the inning. Josh Cyr ended his big night 2-for-3 with four RBI.
Eau Claire 4, La Crosse 1
Brad Kuntz gave the Eau Claire Express exactly what they needed to end their losing streak. Kuntz pitched seven innings of shutout baseball and the Express defeated the La Crosse Loggers, 4-1, at Copeland Park. The Loggers had won six straight over the Express this season and Eau Claire was on a six game losing streak, so the Express were due. With a three-run lead, Mahlon Zimmermann came on to work the ninth. Zimmermann worked a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his fourth save of the season and the Express were able to hold on for their first win of the second half.
Thunder Bay 2, Mankato 1
Kyle Mossbarger’s one-out base hit scored Ino Patron with the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning as the Border Cats knocked off the Mankato MoonDogs 2-1 at Subway Field at Port Arthur Stadium. Patron led off the 9th as he was hit by a pitch in the back of the helmet to reach first base and was sacrificed to second by pinch hitter Mike Hubbard. Mossbarger then delivered the big hit, his second of the night, as the Cat supped their second half record to 4-3. Cat’s starter Taylor Bratton had another solid outing, pitching six innings and allowing four hits and one run. The left-hander from Oakville, ON., walked four and struck out four.
Waterloo 6, Madison 1
The Madison Mallards fell 6-1 at the hands of the Waterloo Bucks on Wednesday night in front of 6,471 fans at the "Duck Pond." The loss was the second in as many nights against the Bucks, who now lead the season series with Madison four games to three. For yet another game, the Mallards allowed their opponent to score first, and Waterloo took advantage of the opportunity. The win went to Waterloo starter Chase Stevens. The All-Star pitcher went 6.2 innings, allowing no runs on just one hit. He walked five but also struck out ten Mallards’ hitters, earning his fourth win of the season and bringing his ERA down to 2.72. Mallards’ pitcher Jonathan Crawford took the loss. Crawford went five innings and gave up five runs on six hits. He walked four and struck out six, falling to 1-1 on the season.
Duluth 7, Willmar 6
After losing their 4th straight game in a 7-3 loss at the hands of the Willmar Stingers Tuesday night, the Duluth Huskies were able to snap their four game losing streak with a 7-6 victory Wednesday night in Willmar. After trailing 6-4 heading into the eighth inning, the Huskies were able to narrow the gap to one run after scoring one in the top of the eighth. In the top of the ninth inning, Andrew Dizon came home to tie the game at six when Brian Hansen reached on a fielder’s choice. In his next at bat in the top of the 11th inning, Hansen drove in Chris Manship for the go ahead, and eventual game winning run. Manship and Adam Humes each had three hits for Duluth and Hansen drove in three runs. Jason Whalen closed out the game with three scoreless innings and earned his first win of the season.
