WATERLOO, Iowa – Perhaps that clause at the end of a Kyle Yates description should be dropped – that he hits pretty well, for a pitcher.

The Texas recruit did his damage at the plate as a designated hitter Wednesday, hitting a pair of homers and driving in five runs to lead the Madison Mallards to a 9-3 Northwoods League victory over the Waterloo Bucks before 747 at Riverfront Stadium.

The victory was the first in Madison for new Mallards manager Darrell Handelsman, who led the Bucks to the 2002 title.

Starter Jake Hansen scattered four hits over five scoreless innings for the Mallards, who jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Doug Beck and Mike Rohde each had two hits for Madison, which plays tonight at Rochester, Minn.