The Madison Mallards could not find the offense needed to win a game in St. Cloud despite good performances by the pitching staff and were swept by the St. Cloud River Bats by the scores of 3-2 and 3-1. With the losses, the Mallards fell to a season low seven games under .500 at 9-16 on the season.
On Monday night, Mallard hurler Mike Johnston made his first start of the season and struggled early on, giving up three runs in the first inning. Those runs scored on two singles, two walks and a hit by pitch. However, Johnston settled down and allowed just those three runs in four innings of work.
The Mallards finally scored in the fifth. Left fielder Charlie Babineaux reached base on an error and came around to score on a double by third baseman Matt Bose to cut the lead to 3-1.
With the Mallards still trailing in the eighth by two, catcher Cooper Fouts singled with one out. He was replaced by pinch runner Nick Cadena, who went to third on a double by Dominic Ramos. Cadena scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by center fielder Erik Johnson to put the Mallards down only 3-2.
St. Cloud escaped further damage in the eighth when right fielder Ryan Jakubov made a diving catch on a fly off the bat of Mallard right fielder Madison Edwards to end the threat. The Mallards went in order in the ninth to end the game.
River Bat starting pitcher Dustin Glant pitched a magnificent game in improving his record to 3-1 on the season. In eight innings, Glant gave up only four hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out four. His ERA lowered to 1.44 with the performance. David Sharfstein recorded his third save on the season.
Mike Johnston fell to 0-1 on the season. The Mallards received four scoreless innings out of the bullpen, two apiece by Bernie Minjares and Bill Bernabei, to keep the game close.
The Mallards tried to rebound on Tuesday night, as they sent left hander Phillip Martinez to the mound. The game was scoreless until the fifth.
After recording the first two River Bats in order, Martinez ran into some trouble. After giving up a clean single to lead off hitter Evan Howard, River Bat third baseman Wes Long surprised Martinez by bunting for a hit to put two on. Center fielder Joe Gaetti then hit a grounder to Mallard third baseman Mike Settle, who tried to step on third base for the force but could not make it. His throw to first was late to load the bases.
Designated hitter Joe Gaetti then stepped up for the biggest hit of the night for the River Bats. He sent a blooper to center field that Mallard Erik Johnson could not get. He made a great effort but his dive was just short. By the time the Mallards could get the ball back in the infield, the bases were cleared on the three run single by Gaetti.
The Mallards, as always, fought back in the eighth off St. Cloud starter Mike Kunes. Charlie Babineaux led off with a single but was picked off on a questionable move that could have been called a balk by Kunes.
With one out, catcher Matt Pagnozzi doubled and scored on an RBI double by Johnson to make it 3-1. Madison could not get Johnson home though.
The Mallards made it interesting in the ninth off River Bat closer David Sharfstein. Mike Settle led off with a single and after a Nick Cadena strikeout, Jaime Martinez walked to put two on with one out. Sharfstein got out of it though by inducing a fly out by pinch hitter Madison Edwards and striking out Charlie Babineaux to end the game. He recorded his fourth save of the season.
Phillip Martinez was the tough luck loser for the Mallards. He went seven innings, allowing the three earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out six. His record fell to 0-3 despite turning in quality starts in five of his six starts this season. With the win, Kunes improved to 2-1 on the season.
In their last three games, all losses, the Mallard offense has produced only four runs. Now at 9-16 and with only seven games left in the first half of the season, the Mallards will try to turn things around with a two-game homestand starting Wednesday night against the Alexandria Beetles.