MANKATO, Minn. – After straying from Franklin Rogers Park for eight days straight, the Mankato MoonDogs returned home to give up a 6-3 lost against the Alexandria Beetles Thursday.

Alexandria struck first, bringing home two Beetles in the second inning to lead the ‘Dogs 2-0, and continued to bring in three more runs to leave the ‘Dogs scurrying for a comeback with a 5-0 deficit after the top of the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh the MoonDogs saw a shred of life after two back to back put outs sent Craig Massoni (Chabot College) through home plate followed by Chad Christensen (Nebraska), giving Audie Afenir (Palomar CC) and Chris Munoz (Oklahoma City) single RBIs to trail the Beetles 5-2.

The MoonDogs would score a Cody Ferrell (Oklahoma City) run in the bottom of the eighth, but that would finish the ‘Dogs spurt of energy. Beetles center fielder, Ben Moore (Alabama) scored the last run of the evening off of a Robert Case (St. Johns) single.

Suffering the loss, MoonDogs starting pitcher Adam Mott (New Mexico) tossed 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out seven Beetles. Mott is now 4-2 on the season.

The MoonDogs will finish their home stand against the Beetles Friday at Franklin Rogers Park. It is baseball giveaway night at the Frank, the first 300 kids will receive a free MoonDogs baseball courtesy of MinnStar Bank.

Single and season tickets are on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information, visit our website www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.