It took the Mallards eight innings to get on the board last night but in the end they got just what they needed ? a clutch come-from-behind victory. The Ducks will look to build on that success tonight when the Eau Claire Express come to town for a two-game set at the Duck Pond. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. Last night?s victory kept the Mallards (8-4) just three games behind division-leading Rochester and pushed them two games ahead of third-place LaCrosse in the South Division.

Tonight has the makings of what could be an incredible pitchers’ duel. Right hander Adam Mills gets the starting nod for the Mallards while righty Jordan Zimmerman will deal for the Express. In seven games this summer, six starts, Mills (pictured below) is 2-3 with a 2.60 ERA. He has struck out 36 and walked just five in his 45 innings of work. While the numbers don?t necessarily reflect dominance, Mills has shown flashes at times this season. In his last start, versus Rochester, Mills worked 10 shutout innings, allowing just three hits. He struck out nine and walked only one in that time. Tonight, he?ll face an Express lineup that ranks in the bottom half of the Northwoods League with a .228 team batting average.

Zimmerman is no stranger to pitching well either, ranking in the top six in the NWL for both strikeouts and ERA. His record currently stands at 3-1 with a 1.14 ERA. He has struck out 24 and walked seven in over 55 innings of work this season. Zimmerman last faced Madison on July 8. In that game, he worked eight innings, allowing three runs on four hits en route to a 9-5 Express victory.

Tonight is Goodman?s Jewelers Diamond Night. The first 1,000 ladies will receive a gemstone and one will be a real diamond! Bring the gemstone to Goodman?s Jewelers to find out if you have won a diamond. Also, Neil Diamond cover band Lightning and Thunder will perform on the Duck Blind after the LifeStyle Staffing Fireworks.

Good seats are still available. Order yours now by visiting www.mallardsbaseball.com or calling 246.4277.