Madison, WI – June 21, 2008. There will be no rest for the weary, as the Madison Mallards face off against the first-place Wisconsin Woodchucks tonight trying to end a three-game losing streak. The Woodchucks come in to tonight’s game with a 17-4 record and a 3-game lead over second-place La Crosse. The Mallards will send right-hander Gabriel Shaw (Louisville) to the mound to try to end the slide. He will be opposed by Woodchucks righty Kyle Mertins. Game time is 6:05, and great seats still remain.
Wisconsin Woodchucks (17-4) at Madison Mallards (12-9)
June 21, 2008 – 6:05 p.m. (CT)
Warner Park – Madison, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Gabriel Shaw (MAD) – 2 GS, 10.0 IP, 0-0, 1.80 ERA
RHP Kyle Mertins (WIS) – 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 1-0, 0.69 ERA
Mallards records:
– 0-0 vs. Wisconsin
– 5-7 at home
– 7-2 on road
– 9-4 vs. South Division
– 3-5 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 8-3 when scoring first
– 0-2 in extra innings
– 4-2 in one-run games
– 9-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 7-1 when outhitting its opponent
– 7-0 when scoring 7+ runs
– 11-7 when allowing fewer than 7 runs
– 10-1 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: L 8-3 vs. Duluth, June 20
A five-run seventh inning by the Duluth Huskies proved to be the difference, as the Mallards lost the series finale 8-3 at the “Duck Pond” in front of 6,231 fans. The sweep by the Huskies marked the second time the Mallards were swept in a series this season. The Mallards were forced to use three pitchers in the decisive seventh inning, which came on the heels of a three-run Mallards sixth to give them a 3-1 lead. The loss was the team’s third straight and fourth in the last five games, and dropped their record to 12-9 overall. Charlotte teammates Aaron Bray and Rob Lyerly had two hits a piece for the Mallards offense, which had eight on the night. Chris House went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run for the Huskies, and Andrew Durden had the identical stat line. The two teams combined to leave 21 runners on base.
Mallards Musings:
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is currently on a 10-game hitting streak, dating back to June 11. He is hitting .385 during the streak.
-Following a day out of the lineup on June 17 Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) is 6-for-12 in his last three games, pushing his batting average back above the .300 mark to .311. He was 2-for-10 in the three games prior to his day off.
-Matt Jansen (Purdue) continues to pitch well and make a strong case for mid-season all-star honors. In 26 innings pitched over four starts and a relief appearance he has allowed just four earned runs (1.38 ERA). He is 2-0 on the season, and opponents are hitting just .213 against the left-hander.
-Luke Stewart (UAB) is tied for second in the Northwoods League with three home runs, and Josh Groves (UW-Milwaukee) checks in tied for fourth in runs scored with 16.
-The Mallards will play their second twin-bill of the season at La Crosse on July 21 to make up for a game that was rained out.
There are plenty of promotions on tap at the “Duck Pond” tonight. The Mallards are wearing throwback 1993 Madison Muskies jerseys, and the first 1,000 fans will receive free Muskies mesh caps. There will also be live music by the Hometown Sweethearts, as well as a Lifestyle Staffing & WJJO fireworks display following the game! The Mallards will be providing a free shuttle for fans to get to and from the ballpark, leaving from Ale Asylum and Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar (Middleton). The shuttle will leave 30 minutes prior to first pitch (5:30).
