(Mankato, MN) \u2013 The MoonDogs (0-2, 17-19) took a lead into the eighth inning, but could not hold it as the Alexandria Beetles (2-0, 20-16) came from behind to take a 4-3 win over Mankato. The MoonDogs had runners on first and third with two outs in the ninth, but Beetles All-Star closer Dallas Cawiezell picked off a sharply hit ball by right fielder Jovan Rodriguez to preserve the win.<\/p>\n
The MoonDog bats were led by center fielder CJ Belanger, who was 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI on the evening. Right fielder Jovan Rodriguez was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI as well. Designated hitter Mike Melillo also picked up a hit and scored for the MoonDogs.<\/p>\n
MoonDogs starter Danny Keefe had a quality start, going seven innings and giving up just two runs on seven hits while striking out eight. Reliever Josh Castanza (0-2) took the loss, going two-thirds of an inning and giving up two runs on three hits. Tom Porter finished off the game, pitching a hitless 1 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
For the Beetles, center fielder Logan Hoch was 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI single. First baseman Keith Castillo was also 2-for-4 with two RBI. Right fielder Blake Smith was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, and designated hitter Casey Haerther and third baseman Victor Sanchez each singled and scored once.<\/p>\n
Beetles starter Matt Drummond went 6 2\/3 innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on seven hits while recording six strikeouts. Casey Coleman (1-2) struck out three of the four batters he faced to take the win, setting up Cawiezell for his eighth save of the season.<\/p>\n
The MoonDogs will now be on the road for a series against the Wisconsin Woodchucks before returning home for the All-Star break, which will be played at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato at 7:05 pm on Wednesday, July 11th. The Northwoods League Home Run Derby will precede the game. Tickets are still available by calling the MoonDogs ticket office.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Mankato, MN) \u2013 The MoonDogs (0-2, 17-19) took a lead into the eighth inning, but could not hold it as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-team-news"],"yoast_head":"\n