Thunder Bay, Ontario- The Mankato MoonDogs lost two game to the Thunder Bay Border Cats Monday night, 8-4 in game one and 5-4 in game two at Port Arthur Stadium.
The Dogs, who have now lost five straight, took an early 2-0 lead in game one, but fell behind in the middle innings, large in part to the tremendous day at the plate for Thunder Bay’s Jerrick Suiter. Suiter had four RBI and two extra base hits, doubling in the third and fourth innings.
Cody Ferrell did his best to jumpstart the offense for the MoonDogs, reaching base two times, colecting a double in the third inning. Nick Ratajczak also did his part, going 1-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
Garrett Hughes kept contact to a minimum, striking out five the Mankato MoonDogs batters. Hughes allowed one earned run, four hits and one walk over six innings.
Boomer Scarborough (1-1) took the loss for the Mankato MoonDogs. He allowed eight runs in four innings, walked three and struck out two.
Game Two saw five lead changes at Subway Field, but the Thunder Bay Border Cats would ultimitely edge out a 5-4 win over the Mankato MoonDogs (38-20).
The Border Cats pulled out the win thanks in part to a wild seventh inning. After a Craig Massoni double, Alex Wise replaced Massoni at 2nd base as a pinch-runner. Wise would later steal home to give the MoonDogs a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the 7th, a wild pitch scored Brett Kay to give the Thunder Bay Border Cats the lead for good.
Kay had two extra-base hits for the Thunder Bay. He singled in the third inning and tripled in the first and seventh innings.
James Buckelew’s six strikeouts were enough to push the Border Cats past the Mankato MoonDogs. Buckelew allowed two earned runs, five hits and four walks over seven innings.
Craig Massoni boosted his batting average thanks to a perfect 2-2 day at the plate to pace the Mankato MoonDogs. He singled in the first inning and doubled in the seventh inning.
Trevor Belicek was charged with his third loss of the year. He lasted just one-third of an inning, walked one, struck out none, and allowed two runs.
The MoonDogs Wrap up their five game road trip against Thunder Bay on Wednesday August 1st, then have their final off day of the 2012 season on Thursday August 2nd. The Dogs return home Monday August 6th to take on the Duluth Huskies. Monday’s game will be MoonDogs Hat giveaway presented by Community Bank and Minnesota 93. The first 500 fans will receive a MoonDogs hat courtesy of Community 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.
