The magic number for the Madison Mallards is now three. The Mallards had no trouble dispatching the Mankato MoonDogs Wednesday afternoon at Warner Park. Billy Phillips pitched a complete game for his sixth victory of the season as the Mallards blew out the MoonDogs 12-1. For Phillips it was his fourth consecutive victory in as many starts and the second inning run he surrendered was the first in that stretch of games. Phillips ended the day issuing only three hits while striking out five and walking two.

The Mallards offense provided plenty of support for Phillips as they pounded out 12 runs on 17 hits. Every Mallards starter recorded at least one hit with Jay Johnson pacing the team with three. Centerfielder Kyle Murphy broke things wide open in the seventh for the Mallards, lining a three-run double off the wall to put the Ducks up 7-1. Murphy finished the day going 2-6 with a run scored and three RBI?s.

Abe Aguirre gave the Mallards their first lead of the game, lining a double down the third base line to score Mike Dury from first base. Aguirre finished the game with two hits and two RBI?s while Dury knocked in three runs off two hits. Jeff Bieker, Jared Johnson, and Doug Beck also had two hits apiece as the Mallards improved their record to 20-7 in the second half to pull three and a half games ahead of second place Waterloo.

Tonight at 7:05 PM the Ducks will try to add their division lead, and move closer to a South Division championship against the MoonDogs in game two of the day/night doubleheader sending right-hander Cody Hall to the mound. The Mallards organization suggests purchasing tickets for remaining home games ahead of time either online at www.mallardsbaseball.com, or at our office located at Warner Park.