(St. Cloud, MN) – The MoonDogs (14-16) used a pair of homeruns by left fielder Jovan Rodriguez and designated hitter Adam Abraham to take away an 8-7 victory from the River Bats (20-11) on Sunday. The MoonDogs were up 8-3 entering the ninth inning and held on for the victory.

Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with the homerun, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Abraham was 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Third baseman Nate Hanson recorded five RBI on a 2-for-5 performance. Second baseman Sean Nicol tripled and scored, and center fielder CJ Belanger and cathcer Mike Melillo each scored once. Right fielder James Keithley stole two bases and scored once.

MoonDogs starter Danny Keefe (2-2) went five innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits. Relievers Josh Castanza and Adam Abraham threw three scoreless innings. Tim Ryan allowed two runs, and Chad Dawson came in to finish off the game for the MoonDogs. Dawson threw an inning, giving up two runs, one earned, on one hit.

The River Bats got a big night from left fielder Tim Wheeler. Wheeler was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, and four RBI. Second baseman TJ Thompson also doubled, scored once, and drove in one. Right fielder DJ Belfonte scored three times for St. Cloud and shortstop Adam Yeager scored twice.

River Bats started Steve Blevins (3-1) went 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs, three earned, on seven hits. Reliever Evan Kohli didn’t give up any hits, but did give up two more runs. Robbie Weinhardt threw a scoreless inning and a third. Kyle Vazquez allowed one run on two hits, and Andy Suiter pitched a scoreless ninth.

The MoonDogs travel to Thunder Bay for a two-game series against the Border Cats. Following the Thunder Bay series, the MoonDogs return home to face the Brainerd Blue Thunder on Wednesday, July 4th.