The Madison Mallards (9-7, 28-23) take on the Fond du Lac Dock Spiders (9-8, 25-28) tonight at 6:35 PM for game two of a two-game set. The Mallards were edged by the Dock Spiders last night, 5-4.

After winning back-to-back ballgames, the Mallards loss last night placed them two games behind the South-leading Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Madison will have to begin a new win streak tonight to keep pace in the competitive South division.

Scheduled to take the bump for the Mallards is lefty Matt Horkey (UNC-Charlotte). Horkey will be making his eighth start of the season and will be going for his fourth win. Horkey owns a 3.37 ERA this season through 37.1 innings pitched. He has tallied 28 strikeouts and has issued only eight walks while holding opposing batters to a .276 batting average.

Fond du Lac starter Tyler Hopman will take the ball for his first start with the Dock Spiders this season. Hopman has made one other appearance, a 3.0 inning relief outing when he allowed zero runs on three hits.

Game Notes

Taylor Touching Them All
Madison outfielder Zac Taylor (Illinois) has been on fire recently and he went yard again last night. Taylor has hit home runs in back-to-back games and now has five bombs this season. Taylor is batting .347 and has knocked in 21 runs in 31 games.

More from Smart
Mallards third baseman Thomas Smart (Oakton) had two hits and a walk last night while driving in a pair of Mallards runs. Smart now has 24 RBI this season and has displayed quality at bats recently. Smart’s on base percentage currently sits at .350 and he has four hits over his last four games.

Lights Out
Madison reliever Andrew Baker (Florida) entered with the bases loaded and nobody out last night and limited damage by escaping the inning with only one run scoring. Baker ended up tossing three innings and struck out a pair. Baker now has a 1.68 ERA through seven appearances and has tallied 15 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to start at 6:35 PM at Marian-HB Field in Fond du Lac. The Mallards will return home tomorrow, Wednesday, July 26th, for a meeting with the Rockford Rivets. For live updates of tonight’s game, check out @MadisonMallards on Twitter and listen live on The Zone 1670 AM or 106.7 FM WOZN.