Three Waterloo Bucks (23-15, 0-4) recorded multi-hit efforts in a 9-6 loss to the Mankato MoonDogs (28-9, 4-0) on Friday evening, dropping their fifth straight game. Jalen Smith (3-for-4, BB, 2 R, 2 SB), Max Jung-Goldberg (2-for-3, BB, R, RBI, SF) and Sam Biller (2-for-4, R) each had at least a pair of hits while Emi Gonzalez (1-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) added three RBI in the loss.

Waterloo opened the scoring in the first as Smith singled to right and went first-to-third on a Jung-Goldberg base hit laced to left, scoring one batter later on a Gonzalez fielder’s choice. The MoonDogs struck back with a pair of runs in the second, then plated four in the fifth.

Trailing 6-1 in the home half of the fifth, Smith singled with one retired then Jung-Goldberg drew a walk. Gonzalez plated them both with a double rocketed down the left field line. Mankato responded with a three-spot in the sixth.

Mike Campagna (1-for-3, R, 2B) doubled to begin the eighth, followed by back-to-back singles from Dalton Chandler (1-for-5, R, RBI, ROE) and Biller. Smith drew a walk two batters later to fill the bases, then Chandler scored on a wild pitch. Jung-Goldberg capped off the scoring with a sac fly to center.

Zach Carrell (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K), Camren Landry (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K) and Michael Mitchell (GF, 1.0 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, K) finished things out by combining for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief.

The Bucks begin a two-game home series with the St. Cloud Rox on Saturday evening at 6:35 p.m. CST.