Waterloo opens a two-game road trip on Saturday in Wisconsin against the Eau Claire Express
Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=316897
By: Jared Shlensky
Waterloo, Iowa – Four unanswered runs by the Moondogs and 11 retired in a row at one point by Mankato starter Reece Eddins proved to be too much for the Waterloo Bucks in the series finale on Friday night, as the Bucks fell, 4-3, on Angry Birds Night from Riverfront Stadium.
Waterloo (20-11) scored first for the second consecutive night with a run in the first. Taylor Boyd recorded the first hit of the game with a double off the glove of Mankato right fielder Gavin Wehby. After Lane Milligan popped out to short, Tyler Curtis brought in Boyd with an RBI single to center.
Mankato countered with a run of their own in the second to tie the game at 1-1. Chase Hamilton began the inning with a four-pitch walk. Bryce Adams then singled to right for the first Mankato hit of the evening before Gavin Wehby was hit in the back. With the bases loaded and one out, Alex Tucker lifted a deep fly to right, bringing in Hamilton on the sacrifice fly.
The Moondogs took their first lead of the series on Jake Shepski’s solo home run to right in the fifth. The home run for Shepski was his team-leading sixth of the season.
Mankato (20-12) extended their lead to two with a run in the seventh. Drew Fearing led off the frame with a double past a diving Zac Sanders at third. Alvaro Rubalcaba moved Fearing to third with a sacrifice bunt before Waterloo intentionally walked Shepski. David Metzger then doubled the Moondogs’ lead to 3-1 with an RBI single to right, scoring Fearing.
Mankato plated the final run of the evening in the ninth to go up 4-1. Fearing was grazed on the helmet to begin the inning before Rubalcaba and Shepski drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Metzger then grounded into a double play, bringing in Fearing for the final run.
Jared Crescentini (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season in the series finale. Crescenitni allowed three runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four and walking two.
Hunter Spencer threw another scoreless inning of relief, extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 5 2/3. Trevor Patterson allowed his first run of the year in his home debut. Patterson yielded one run on two walks over two innings.
Eddins (2-1) earned the win for Mankato. Eddins allowed just one run on six hits and two walks while striking a pair in 6 2/3 innings. Brick Paskiewicz (3) recorded the seven-out save after retiring all seven batters he faced in 2 1/3 innings of relief.
Waterloo begins a two-game road trip on Saturday in Eau Claire, Wis., on Saturday before returning home for Riverfront Stadium on Monday, July 4th. First pitch on Saturday in the series opener on Saturday between the Express and the Bucks is at 6:35 p.m. LHP Bryce Reichmann (2-0, 6.00) makes his first start of the year for Waterloo while Eau Claire sends LHP Brody Rodning (1-1, 6.19) to the hill.
Waterloo wraps a suspended game from Tuesday, June 14 against the Rochester Honkers on Monday 6:05 p.m. before playing the originally scheduled game at 7:05 p.m. The suspended game will resume in the top of the ninth with Waterloo leading Rochester, 3-2, before first pitch in the originally scheduled game vs. the Honkers.
Monday, July 4th is Military Heroes Night from Riverfront Stadium and features an Independence Day Jersey Auction. The first 1,000 fans receive a Military Heroes Card set. This Card set recognizes military members throughout the Cedar Valley. Before the game, we will recognize our Military Heroes in our Card set. Independence Day themed jerseys will also be worn by Bucks players to support Honor Flight. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with all proceeds going to Honor Flight. Jerseys are presented by The Screaming Eagle, The Wild Hare, & The Dirty Dog American Bars & Grills.
Monday’s game is also Buck Night and a Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza. 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. fountain soda, small popcorn and ice cream sandwiches are $1.00 while hot dogs cost just $1.50. Remember to join us for a fireworks show following the Bucks game, too!
All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.
