After Jordan Comadena was thrown out at third trying to advance on an error in the top of the ninth inning and Ryan Rogowski was thrown out at home in the top of the tenth, the Mallards had exhausted their chances, and eventually fell to the Thunder Bay Border Cats 3-2 in ten innings Wednesday evening.
Jeff Fontaine won it for the Border Cats, lining a RBI single off the wall in straight away center field scoring Brandon Tripp to win it. Matt Petty suffered the loss for the Mallards, his first of the season.
Although Comadena and Rogowski were both thrown out at crucial times, the pair was the only Mallards with multi-hit games. Comadena finished the game 2-for-4 and Rogowski ended the game 3-for-4.
The Mallards had to battle back early, as the Border Cats plated two first inning runs off Mallards starting pitcher Rick Rivas. After allowing the two runs in the first, Rivas held serve through six innings, not allowing another run.
The Ducks tied the game at two in the sixth, scoring two unearned runs.
With the loss the Mallards and Border Cats are once again tied for the best record in the league with identical 42-22 records. The Mallards now travel to Rochester to take on the Honkers, who clinched a playoff berth with a victory over the Waterloo Bucks on Wednesday night, on Thursday and Friday night.
The Mallards currently hold a two-game edge over the Honkers for home-field advantage in the first round of the Playoffs. Rochester holds the tie-breaker over the Mallards if the two teams finish the season with identical records.
The Mallards return home to finish the regular season Saturday and Sunday at home, taking on the Wisconsin Woodchucks both days at 6:05 p.m. Fans are encouraged to buy seats ahead of time online at www.mallardsbaseball.com or at 246.4277. Fans are also invited to participate in the World?s Largest First Pitch presented by American Family Insurance from 12:00 p.m. ? 4:30 p.m. before Sunday?s game. The first 3,000 fans will be given the opportunity to partake in one of baseball?s greatest traditions. Live music from the Hometown Sweethearts and two-for-one beer, soda and hot dogs will also be available for those attending. For information contact the Mallards at 246.4277.
