Waterloo returns home on Monday for the start of a two-game homestand vs. Thunder Bay.  

Box Score: http://northwoods.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=317197

By: Jared Shlensky

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – An early 1-0 lead for the second straight night wasn’t enough as Waterloo fell to the Eau Claire Express, 4-2, in the series finale. Following Sunday’s loss, the Bucks have now dropped three straight series and seven of their last eight.

Waterloo (10-20, 32-34) scored in the top of first to take a 1-0 lead. Lane Milligan tripled over the head of Alex McKeena in center for the first hit of the game. Tyler Curtis followed Milligan with an RBI double to right-center, giving Waterloo the early lead.

Eau Claire (17-14, 42-25) snapped its 12-inning scoreless drought with a run in the bottom of the first, tying the game at 1-1.Kyle Marinconz pulled a single into right for the Express’ first hit of the game before moving up to second on Daulton Varsho’s walk. McKenna then evened the score with an RBI single to center, bringing home Marinconz.

Varsho gave the Express their first lead of the night with his league-leading 13th home run of the season. Zach Ashford led off the frame with a single to center before Marinconz pulled a single to right. With runners on first and second, Varsho lifted the 3-2 pitch from Hunter Spencer just over fence in right, putting Eau Claire in front, 4-1.

Adam McGinnis cut the Waterloo deficit to two with a solo home run down the line in the right in the top of the eighth. The home run for McGinnis was his team-leading 12th of the season and his team-high 53rd RBI of the season.

Jonathan Buckley (1-3) suffered his third consecutive loss in the series finale. Buckley went 4+ innings, yielding two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking two.

Spencer retired one of the four hitters he faced in relief, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out one.

Trevor Patterson, Kellen Rholl and Steven Baker each faced the minimum out of the bullpen. Patterson struck out three of the four batters he faced in 1 1/3 innings while Rholl set down all three hitters he faced in a perfect seventh inning. Baker struck out two of the three batters he faced in his first relief appearance of the season.

Ryan Zimmerman (2-0) allowed one run over six innings in the win. The right-hander yielded six hits and walked one while striking out a season-high six.

Kenny Ogg earned the hold, allowing one run over two innings. Christian Tripp (10) secured the win with the save in the top of the ninth. Tripp allowed a double and struck out one in the final inning of game.

Waterloo begins a two-game homestand on Monday night vs. Thunder Bay. First pitch in the series opener from Riverfront Stadium is at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jared Crescentini (5-3, 3.83) gets the ball for the Bucks while the Border Cats have yet to announce their starter.

Monday’s game is another Buck Night at Riverfront Stadium. 10 oz. draft beer, 12 oz. fountain soda, small popcorn and ice cream sandwiches cost $1.00 while hot dogs are just $1.50. All Waterloo Bucks games can be heard online at waterloobucks.com with Jared Shlensky.