The Minot Hot Tots were in a fight with the Mankato MoonDogs once again, but another late-inning surge secured the series sweep for Mankato. They took Monday’s game by an 8-1 decision.

Yet again, starting pitching set the tone. Trent Harris went another five innings allowing one earned run, the same stat line as his season debut. Harris left the game with the score tied 1-1 and took home a no decision. He was also named SportClips MVP of the Game for his performance on the mound.

The Hot Tots bats were quiet for the most part on Monday. A ground-rule double in the fourth inning by Matt Toomey put two runners in scoring position for Henry Allen. Allen would bring in the lead runner, Cole Meyer, on a sacrifice fly to get the Tots on the board. Minot was held in check for the remainder of the game by an impressive bullpen performance from Mankato.

After seven innings, the score was still 1-1. In the eighth inning, however, the MoonDogs pushed ahead. Dylan Drake brought in two runs on a base hit to give Mankato the lead back. Then in the ninth, the MoonDogs pushed across five more runs including a grand slam to slam the door.

Minot was shut out in their half of the ninth inning and the homestand was complete. The Hot Tots hit Highway 83 for the first of two games against the Bismarck Larks on Tuesday and will return home for a doubleheader against Willmar on Thursday night beginning at 5:05 pm.

Will Page-Allen of Mankato let go of the SRT Fastest Pitch, a 90 mph heater for a swinging strike. The First Command Play of the Game was awarded to Trent Harris’ ability to escape the fifth inning on a strikeout. Minot drew two Buffalo Wild Wings Walks at the plate.