Madison, WI – July 23, 2008. Alex Rivers (Santa Clara) makes his fifth start of the season tonight for the Mallards in hopes of ending the team’s three-game losing streak. Eau Claire defeated Madison Tuesday night 8-2 at Carson Park and will send left-hander J.D. Reichenbach to the mound to try to get the sweep of the Mallards. Following tonight’s game the team heads to Green Bay for a pair of games before returning to the “Duck Pond” Saturday and Sunday for games against Waterloo. Fans can follow the action from Eau Claire by visiting nwltickets.com.
Madison Mallards (7-9) at Eau Claire Express (7-6)
July 23, 2008 – 6:35 p.m. (CT)
Carson Park – Eau Claire, WI
Pitching Probables:
RHP Alex Rivers (MAD) – 5 GS, 30.0 IP, 2-0, 3.30 ERA
LHP J.D Reichenbach (EC) – 5 GS, 27.1 IP, 1-2, 4.28 ERA
Mallards records (first half):
– 1-1 vs. Eau Claire
– 10-8 at home
– 12-3 on road
– 14-6 vs. South Division
– 8-5 vs. North Division
Mallards records (second half):
– 0-1 vs. Eau Claire
– 5-1 at home
– 2-8 on road
– 4-6 vs. South Division
– 3-3 vs. North Division
Madison is…
– 22-7 when scoring first
– 3-4 in extra innings
– 7-6 in one-run games
– 21-1 when leading after 7 innings
– 20-3 when outhitting its opponent
– 21-1 when scoring 7+ runs
– 20-6 when making equal or fewer errors than opponent
Last time out for the Mallards: L 8-2 at Eau Claire, July 22
The Mallards offense sputtered Tuesday night against the Eau Claire Express, managing just two runs on three hits and dropped an 8-2 contest in front of 1,374 fans at Carson Park. D.J. Mauldin earned the win for the Express, working seven solid innings and allowing just two hits and no earned runs. Kyle Heim (Iowa) took the loss for the Mallards, pitching four innings and giving up one unearned run and two hits. The loss was the third straight for the Mallards and drops their record to 7-9 in the second half.
Mallards Musings:
-Brandon Wikoff (Illinois) has reached base in each of the 22 games he’s played at the “Duck Pond” this season. It is the longest home consecutive on-base streak in the league this season.
-Rob Lyerly (Charlotte) is fourth in the Northwoods League with a .329 batting average in 39 games played.
-Wikoff is fourth in the league in runs scored with 35.
-Luke Stewart’s (UAB) six home runs put him in a tied for third in the league.
-Joe Bonadonna (Illinois) became the fifth Mallard to win Northwoods League Player of the Night when he reached base five times against Battle Creek on July 19. He was 3-for-3 with two singles and a double, and also drew two walks and scored three times.
-Wikoff earned Northwoods League Player of the Night July 10 when he reached base six times with three singles and three walks. He scored five runs for the Mallards.
-Drew Martin (NC State) was NWL Player of the Night on July 3 when he was 5-for-7 in two games at Battle Creek on the last day of the first half.
-Lyerly made it two Mallards award-winners in one week when he earned the honor on June 30 after a 4-for-5 game at Mankato. He had a home run, a double, three RBIs and scored three runs in the contest.
-After a 4-for-5 performance on June 26 against Brainerd, outfielder Aaron Bray (Charlotte) was named Northwoods League Player of the Night. He had four singles and scored three runs. Bray is the first Mallard to win the nightly award this season.
-Wikoff had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on June 28. It was the Mallards second-longest hitting streak of the season.
-Lyerly’s 12-game hitting streak dating back to June 11 ended with a 0-for-2 performance at Thunder Bay on June 24. He hit .380 with 11 runs scored and four doubles during the streak. It is the fourth-longest hitting streak in the Northwoods League this season.
-From the beginning of the season on May 29 until June 15 Wikoff reached base in 16 consecutive games.
Playoff tickets can be purchased in a package of all four potential home playoff games. Single-game playoff tickets will go on sale to the public on July 29. Playoff tickets can be purchased by calling 608.246.4277 or by visiting the Mallards box office.
Box seats for the playoffs will be $ 9, with bleacher seats priced at $ 8. Cheap seats can be purchased for $ 7 and standing room only tickets will be available for $ 6. The Duck Blind will be open for the playoffs, with beer tickets priced at $ 26 for Sunday-Wednesday games and $ 31 for Thursday-Saturday nights. Duck Blind soda tickets will be $ 21 or $ 26. Reserved seats in the Duck Blind will be $ 31 for Sunday-Wednesday games and for Thursday-Saturday nights. Suites are also available for playoff games and fans can receive more details by calling the Mallards box office and asking for group sales.
More details on playoff games at the “Duck Pond” will be made available on mallardsbaseball.com as soon as the second half of the regular season concludes. Tickets for the remainder of the Mallards regular season home schedule can be purchased online, in person at the Box Office or by calling 608.246.4277.
