(Mankato, MN) – Cody Decker smashed a three-run homer in the third inning and followed it up in the seventh by driving in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly for his fourth RBI on the night to lead the MoonDogs (12-15) to a 6-5 victory over Thunder Bay (10-17) Thursday night. Left fielder Alan Oaks would go on to smash a double in the next at bat to score one more and produce what would turn out to be a needed run for the MoonDogs victory.
Decker finished the evening 1-for-3 with the homerun, a run scored, and four RBI. Oaks was 1-for-2 with the run-producing double. Third baseman Nate Hanson and designated hitter Adam Abraham each went 2-for-4 with Hanson scoring twice. Right fielder James Keithley, second baseman Bobby Munoz, and center fielder CJ Belanger each scored once for the MoonDogs.
MoonDogs starter Brendan Lafferty went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out four. Newcomer Will Schulte gave up two runs on one hit in a third of an inning pitched. Josh Castanza entered the game for an inning, giving up no runs and one hit. Reliever Adam Abraham (3-0) struck out three in an inning and a third to record the win. Closer Chad Dawson got his fourth save of the season. Dawson gave up one unearned run in the ninth.
The Border Cats were led by second baseman Brandon McCall who hit a two-run homerun in the sixth. He finished the night 2-for-4 with the run scored and the only two Border Cats RBI. First baseman Terry Goddard was also 2-for-4 and scored twice. Third baseman Chris Curley and shortstop Marshal Davis each recorded a hit and scored once for Thunder Bay.
Border Cats starter Chris Lemay went just 3 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits. Reliever Kirk Barnard pitched an effective 2 2/3 innings, giving up just one hit. Josh Moffit (0-4) took the loss for the Border Cats, going two innings and giving up two runs on two hits.
The MoonDogs finish off their ten game homestand tomorrow night with the final game of the series against Thunder Bay. The MoonDogs go for the sweep at 7:05 pm at Franklin Rogers Park.
