Rochester, MN — Following an offensive clinic by the Honkers on Tuesday, June 18, both pitching staffs brought their “A” game during the Honkers’ 1-0 win over the Mankato MoonDogs on June 19.

 

Rochester starting pitcher Daniel Silva (Colorado-Colorado Springs) allowed a lead-off single in the first inning, but retired the next three batters to prevent any scoring threat.

 

Mankato starting pitcher Trent Baker responded with an even better first inning; in fact his first three innings couldn’t have gone any better — he had a perfect game going until the fourth inning.

 

Fortunately, for the Honkers, Silva was pitching nearly as efficiently. He allowed only one base runner, Nick Novak, to advance past first base during the first three innings. Novak reached second base on a single and a stolen base in the second inning, but Silva got his first strikeout to end that inning.

 

Baker’s perfect game was broken up when Vinny Tosti (Oregon) drew a walk in the fourth inning, but Baker didn’t let him advance any further as he ended the inning with two straight strikeouts.

 

Silva upped his game even more after Novak’s single in the second inning. He only allowed one base runner, Cuba Bess on a walk, from third inning to the sixth.

 

The Honkers’ offense finally got going in the sixth inning when Logan Denholm (California-Davis), who was making his season debut, drew a walk. Tim Borden (Louisville) followed that up with a single and Denholm advanced to third base on an error by the MoonDogs’ defense. Ryan Ober (Oregon State) found just the right spot as his bloop single found a hole behind the first baseman to score Denholm and give the Honkers a 1-0 lead.

 

Silva allowed one hit in the seventh, but got help from his defense to keep Mankato scoreless.

 

Both starters were replaced after the seventh inning. Silva pitched seven shutout innings and recorded four strikeouts, while Baker got more strikeouts, nine, but allowed one unearned run.

 

Hayden Juenger entered the game for the MoonDogs and he kept Honkers at just one run, but that is all they would need as Keon Taylor (Georgetown College) pitched two scoreless innings to give Rochester a 1-0 win.

 

The victory improves the Honkers’ record to 14-9.

 

Silva was named Profile Sanford Player of the Game and the winning pitcher, while Taylor earned the six-out save.