It seemed like the Madison Mallards were off to the perfect night on Friday night at Warner Park against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. They had the largest attendance in franchise history, 4,012, on a beautiful night in Madison and had played fantastic baseball for 11 innings. But in a game that really has summed up the Mallards season, Madison and reliever J.J. Jackson gave up a run in the twelfth and lost to the Woodchucks 1-0.
Mallard starter Phillip Martinez was fabulous again but failed to register his first win of the season. He went 8 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit and no runs while walking six and striking out five but had to settle for a no decision.
Woodchuck starter Adam Rowe was equally impressive. He allowed only three hits and no runs while walking three and striking out eight. After nine innings, the game was scoreless and in the hands of the bullpens.
Jackson was fabulous for the Mallards in his first three innings, but was matched by Woodchuck reliever Steve Grasely. Finally in the twelfth, the Woodchucks broke through.
Third baseman Kyle Bohm started the inning off with a base hit off Jackson (1-4). Then after a sacrifice, shortstop Kasey Baker came through with the big hit of the night, a double to score Bohm and give the Woodchucks the long awaited lead. Jackson got out the inning without further damage, but the Mallards went in order in the bottom of the twelfth off Woodchuck reliever Brent Coudron to lose 1-0.
Coudron pitched two innings to earn the win and improve to 3-3 on the season. The Woodchucks as a team went over the .500 mark as a team, improving to 27-26 on the season.
The Mallards (6-15 in the second half, 19-34 overall), start a four game road trip Saturday night with a 7:05pm in Minnesota against the Alexandria Beetles.