With only one game left to be played before the All-Star Break, the Mankato MoonDogs were hoping to continue their winning ways.  They ended up doing just that, defeating the Waterloo Bucks 3-2, and extending their winning streak to six games.

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start for the MoonDogs, as the Bucks strung together four hits in the first inning, scoring two runs and putting the MoonDogs in a hole.  But just like they have done many times already this season, the MoonDogs chipped away at the deficit.

The bottom of the second inning saw the first MoonDogs run come across the plate after Jake Ortega was able to jog home from third on a Kyle Cuellar double.  The home team saw another run score in the third thanks to an RBI single from Kenton Crews, scoring Zac Wiley, tying the game at two.

MoonDogs starting pitcher Andy Fisher did his best to maintain his team’s lead, finagling his way out of a few jams, and leaving the game after pitching five innings, surrendering eight hits, but only allowing those two runs to the first two batters of the game.

The tie was broken in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Wiley scoring on a Crews single, much like two innings before.  This made Fisher the pitcher of record for the MoonDogs, in line for the win if his team could hold the lead.

Fortunately for the MoonDogs starting pitcher, his four relievers combined to pitch four innings of one-hit ball, clinching another win for the MoonDogs.

Crews had two hits for the MoonDogs, leading the team with his two RBIs.  Teammate Toby Hanson also had two hits, extending his hitting streak to a MoonDogs record 21 games. 

The MoonDogs improve to 9-3 in the second half and will play their next game on Thursday in Thunder Bay, but before that, five MoonDogs will play in the Northwoods League All-Star Game.  Hanson, Ethan Valdez, CJ Schaeffer, Collin Floyd, and Naithen Dewsnap will all fight for the North Division this Tuesday.