Mallards blows early lead, bullpen struggles against Woodchucks

Madison, WI – Madison and Wausau began a two-game series at Warner Park on Thursday night and the Woodchucks snapped a nine-game losing streak with their 14-6 win.

The Mallards came out of the gate… patient. Kevin Korte, making his Woodchucks debut, threw 22 pitches with only two of them hitting the strike zone. Madison would plate six runs in the 1st inning powered by a Jackson Tucker single and Cal Fisher double against Blaine Wahlen out of the Wausau bullpen.

Madison’s offensive success stopped there. Wahlen went on to pitch five innings, allowing just the one run. Wausau would score one run against All-Star pitcher Tommy Meyer in his final outing in the top of the 3rd on two doubles and then threaten against Meyer in the 4th. The big lefty was pulled from the game with one out and the bases loaded. Jack Turner was called on from the bullpen and walked the first two batters he faced in his debut to hand Wausau two runs.

Dalen Banks made his second appearance of the summer out of the arm-barn in the 6th and struggled against his first four batters faced. After the first two reached, Mark Shallenberger hit his second three-run homer in as many nights to tie the game at 6-6. Banks departed with two on and two out, he was followed by Andrew Ravelo, who had trouble with the zone. Ravelo walked two in and then a two-out single surrendered to Mike Adair blew the doors open in the frame. Wausau ended the 6th with seven runs on just three hits and two Mallards’ errors. The Woodchucks offense would add four more throughout the rest of the ballgame, scoring 14 unanswered runs after Madison plated six in the 1st.

Madison and Wausau continue their two-game series at Warner Park on Friday night. The series finale is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. CST.