There’s an old adage in baseball that says good teams find a way to pull out close games. The Madison Mallards did just that Monday night in Thunder Bay, scoring twice on two errors in the ninth inning inning to go on top for good, 7-5. With two outs in the ninth and the game tied at five, Ryan Rogowski stepped up to the plate with the tying run on second base. Rogowski pushed a bunt down the third baseline and John McKee threw the ball into the outfield allowing Greg Thomson to score the go-ahead run. Right-fielder Zach Daeges then threw the ball past third base in an attempt to throw out Rogowski, allowing the All-Star outfielder to jog home and put the Mallards on top 7-5. Matt Petty worked the ninth, striking out two batters to earn his first save of the season.
The Mallards held a 5-0 lead before allowing Thunder Bay to claw their way back into the game. Jay Johnson and Jeff Bieker each hit their third home runs of the season for the Mallards who are tied with Waterloo for first place with a 9-3 record. Jared Johnson had his second straight productive night north of the border, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Chad Frk had three hits, while Thomson and catcher Nate Trumm each added two for the Mallards who are 3-1 thus far on their six-game road trip.
Daryl Maday started the game for the Mallards, pitching five and two thirds innings, striking out seven and giving up three earned runs. Shaun Corning followed Maday, giving up the tying run to knot the score at five. The Mallards had a chance to go ahead in the eighth inning but Jay Johnson was hit by Abe Aguirre’s line drive down the third base line to record the final out of the inning. Zach Peterson worked the eighth inning to earn his second win of the season.
The Mallards continue their six-game road-trip Tuesday evening in Wausau, as they take on the Woodchucks in the first of a two game series. The Ducks return home Thursday, July 22 to take on the division rival Waterloo Bucks at 7:05 PM. Tickets for every remaining Mallards home game are available online at www.mallardsbaseball.com, and at our office located at Warner Park.
