The Bucks fell again on Thursday, losing to the first place Mankato Moondogs in a blowout, 11-3. The Bucks were unable to get anything going, with only three runs on seven hits. The pitching struggled mightily as well, giving up 16 hits. The defense was also unable to help, with three errors, two of them coming in a six run top of the fifth inning.
After giving up one run in the top of the 2nd, the Bucks came back in the bottom of the inning with two runs to take the lead. After Jordan Adams singled, Freddy Villalobos was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Jason Hockemeyer was able to drive in one run with a single and Thomas Lindauer brought in the next with another single.
Unfortunately it all went downhill from there. A bases clearing double by the Moondogs in the 4th inning gave the Moondogs a 4-2 lead. The Moondogs went on to steamroll the Bucks for six runs in the 5th inning, with multiple runs coming off errors by Adams and Benny Roberts. Poor fielding and general mental miscues really hurt the Bucks against a team that they could not afford to have them.
The only other run scored by the Bucks was in the 6th inning when Adams hit his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot over the left field wall.
Mikey Ramirez got the start for the Bucks and did struggle, but poor defense behind him didn’t help. Justin Grijalva came in next and was actually able to slow down the Moondogs, as they only scored one run in his three innings of work. Jake Powers finished the game for a depleted Bucks bullpen, pitching one shutout inning.
In other news, the Bucks have waived pitchers Rick Dodridge and Reed Reilly.
The Bucks, now four games back of the Moondogs, will finish the series against them tomorrow night. First pitch is set for 6:35 pm, remember to check out waterloobucks.com for all your latest Bucks information.