Madison, WI – June 10, 2008. The Mallards are back at the “Duck Pond” tonight for a 7:05 series finale against Thunder Bay. Joe Yermal will be on the hill for the Mallards, making his team debut. The right-hander pitches for Charlotte in the spring. He will square off against Border Cats righty Nate Woods. Great seats are still available for tonight’s game.
Thunder Bay Border Cats (4-7) at Madison Mallards (6-4)
June 10, 2008 – 7:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Joe Yermal (MAD) – 0 GS, 0.0 IP, 0-0, 0.00 ERA
RHP Nate Woods (TB) – 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 0-0, 1.69 ERA
Mallards records:
– 0-1 vs. Thunder Bay
– 2-3 at home
– 4-1 on road
– 3-2 vs. South Division
– 3-2 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 3-1 when scoring first
– 0-2 in extra innings
– 6-0 when leading after 7 innings
– 5-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 4-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 6-3 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 6-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: L 3-2 (10) vs. Thunder Bay, June 9
The Mallards left the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th to drop the series opener to the Thunder Bay Border Cats 3-2 at the “Duck Pond” Monday night. Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) made his Mallards debut on the hill last night and worked six innings, allowing six hits and one earned run. The Border Cats received a stellar effort in relief from Brett Holland, who pitched the final four innings and gave up just one hit to earn the win. The loss was the Mallards third straight at home, and was witnessed by 4,222 fans. There was only one earned run in the game last night, charged to Shaw, as the two teams combined for seven errors. The Mallards offense managed just four hits off Holland and Border Cats starter Danny Rosenbaum, two of which came by Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) in his second game with the team. Joe De Pinto (USC) added a single in the first, and Don Lambert (Baylor) accounted for the fourth hit with a pinch-hit effort in the 10th. The Mallards threatened in the bottom of the 10th, when Aaron Bray (Charlotte) walked with one away and went to third on a pinch-hit single to right by Lambert. Luke Stewart (UAB) pinch hit for Brandon Haveman (Purdue), but struck out swinging for the second out. Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) followed with a walk to load the bases, bringing up De Pinto. But Holland got him to strike out looking on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
Location change for Waterloo series:
The Mallards will be at home Wednesday and Thursday for a series against Waterloo that was originally scheduled to take place at Waterloo. But Waterloo’s field has become unplayable due to recent heavy rains, forcing the series to be shifted to the “Duck Pond.” Both games will start at 7:05 p.m., and Waterloo will remain the home team. All general admission tickets for Wednesday and Thursday are just 7 dollars, and for an unprecedented 12 dollars fans can receive a ticket and an all-you-can eat-and-drink menu option for unlimited hot dogs, brats, popcorn and soda through the fifth inning. Come out to the “Duck Pond” and see a road game for the Mallards without leaving Madison! Great seats are still available for the series against Waterloo.
Mallards Musings:
-Matt Jansen (Purdue) and Bryan Earley (Lincoln Trail) have yet to allow an earned run in two starts this season. Jansen also has a relief appearance. He has pitched 14 innings and allowed just seven hits and three walks, while striking out 10. Opponents are hitting .152 against the left-hander. Earley has pitched 11 innings, allowing just four base hits and striking out 10. They are tied for the league lead with that 0.00 ERA.
-Travis High (NC State) and Kyle Heim (Iowa) have been a one-two punch out of the bullpen for the Mallards to start 2008. They have both appeared in a team-high five games, and have combined for 17.1 innings pitched, allowing 17 hits and six earned runs (3.16 ERA).
-The Mallards pitching staff has charged out of the gate to start the 2008 season, and is currently leading the league with a microscopic 1.98 ERA. The next closest staff belongs to Wisconsin, checking in at 2.30.
-Brandon Wikoff has been a threat to steal anytime he’s reached base. He has swiped six bases so far this year, good for a tie for fourth in the Northwoods League.
-The Mallards offense has been patient at the plate to begin the season, drawing 49 walks in 10 games so far. That is the fourth-most walks in the league.
