Rochester, Mn- The Mankato MoonDogs lost the series finale, 4-3 to the Rochester Honkers Wednesday night at Mayo Field.

Sam Selman (Vanderbilt) picked up the tough-luck loss, dominating the Honkers offense early on. Selman (2-3) struck out seven of his first eleven batters before giving up a Johnny Coy (Wichita St.) solo home-run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Selman would get out of the fifth, allowing just one run, but came undone in the sixth, walking three batters, and allowing three more runs to score. In all, Selman lasted just 4 2/3 innings giving up four runs on five hits while striking out eight batters.

James Roberts (USC) led the MoonDogs offensively, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Over his last 20 plate appearances, Roberts is batting an astounding .368 with six runs scored. Shaun Cooper (Utah) picked up two more hits, and has now hit safely in seven consecutive games, dating back to July 21st. Over those seven games, Cooper is batting .370 with a double, four home-runs, and nine RBI.

With the loss, Mankato drops to 32-20 overall (.615 winning percentage), and are the last team in the Northwoods League to reach 20 losses in 2011.

The MoonDogs return home Thursday night for Minnesota Twins Night presented by Buffalo Wild Wings and KTOE. Two-time World Series Champion, former Twins player Gene Larkin, will be the special guest. Larkin is best known for this game winning single in the 1991 World Series that scored Dan Gladden in the bottom of the tenth inning that won the World Series for the Twins. There will be a pre-game autograph session from 5:30-6:30 at the Hilltop Buffalo Wild Wings in Mankato.

Larkin will then be on hand at Franklin Rogers Park to throw out the first pitch, sign autographs, and take photos. Twins mascot T.C. Bear and organist Sue Nelson will also be in attendance to help cheer on the MoonDogs. Gates will open at Franklin Rogers Park at 6:05pm with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm as Blake Schwartz (MSU) and the rest of the MoonDogs take on the Brainerd Area Lunkers. Tickets for Minnesota Twins night, or any of the MoonDogs remaining home games are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street, For more information visit our website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.