ST. CLOUD, Minn. -– A night after completing their first shutout of the 2012 season, it was the MoonDogs who were nearly shutout, losing 6-1 to the St. Cloud Rox Sunday night at Joe Faber Field.
After starting out the first four games of the 2012 season red hot, the MoonDogs bat’s fell silent in the series finale against St. Cloud. The ‘Dogs would muster up just three hits over the first eight innings, struggling to make solid contact all night long. Mankato’s lone run of the night came in the top of the ninth inning with two outs as J.M. Twitchell (UT-Arlington) picked up an RBI double to drive in the speedy Jorge Flores (Central Arizona), who had been hit by a pitch earlier in the inning.
The Rox lead early 1-0 but would add all the insurance runs they would need in the fifth inning, scoring three of their six runs on four hits. The crooked inning was highlighted by a two run triple off the bat of St. Cloud shortstop Mark Rhine(Wake Forest), who paced the Rox offense all night long, going 3-4 at the plate with two RBIs.
Rox starter Paul Schaak (Eastern Michigan) was dominant in his first start, handcuffing MoonDogs batters throughout his seven innings of work. The crafty southpaw cruised through the Mankato lineup allowing no runs on three hits, striking out one.
MoonDogs starter John Walter (Penn State) struggled in his first start, allowing six runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings.
Despite the loss, Mankato won the series 2-1 over St. Cloud and are now 4-1 overall this season.
Mankato heads north to Duluth Monday night for the final two games of their four game road trip before returning home to Franklin Rogers Park, Wednesday, against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Wednesday night is Magnet Schedule Night at the Frank, presented by AM 1230 The Fan Mankato. The first 1,000 fans receive a free 2012 MoonDogs magnet schedule.
Season and single game tickets can be purchased 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.