(8/2/06) With injuries taking their toll on the Mankato MoonDogs’ starting rotation, Tyson Brummett, a veteran of two summers in Mankato, has stepped up to provide some stability.

Brummett tossed a seven-hit shutout to win his fourth straight decision and the MoonDogs snapped a three-game losing skid with a 2-0 win over the Brainerd Blue Thunder Wednesday night.

After a July that saw him post a 3-1 record and a 1.39 ERA in five starts, Brummett started off August in similar fine fashion, throwing his first complete game of the season after tossing one in 14 starts for the MoonDogs last year. Brummett (4-3) struck out seven and walked none, a far cry from his last start when he struck out six but walked four in six innings.

The MoonDogs were locked in a scoreless tie into the bottom of the sixth, as Brainerd newcomer Kyle Wink held the ‘Dogs to one hit through the first five innings of his season debut. But Tim Smith, the catalyst of the Mankato offense all season, got things going with a one-out walk in the sixth, followed by a stolen base. After taking third on a wild pitch, Chris Henault lifted a fly ball to center to drive in Smith and give the MoonDogs a 1-0 lead.

Ryan Addison immediately followed with a home run to left-center field to put the ‘Dogs on top 2-0. Addison’s home run was his fourth, tying him with Brandon Davis for the team lead, and represented his 18th RBI, which now leads all MoonDogs. Addison also singled in the eighth to give the MoonDogs their only player with a multi-hit effort.

Staked to a lead, Brummett retired five of the next six batters before putting two runners on base in the ninth inning. After a conference on the mound with head coach Jason Nell with two outs, Brummett got Allen Smith to ground out to second base to complete the shutout.