MANKATO, Minn.—Following one of the few off days for the summer, the Stingers tried to get back on the winning track Wednesday night in Mankato, but despite the second straight quality outing from a starter, Willmar's offense was quiet for the second straight game on the way to a 4-0 loss to the MoonDogs at Franklin Rogers Park.
AJ Puckett took to the rubber for the Stingers (43-25 overall, 21-17 second half), and although he gave up a home run to the first batter he faced, he answered by allowing just two more hits in his six strong innings of work. After getting the first two outs in the first, Puckett walked a batter and allowed a single but his defense rescued the right-hander to end the inning. On the single by Levi Scott, Tanner Rockwell tried to score from second base, but Willmar right fielder Max Waletich gunned Rockwell at home plate to end the inning and keep it a one-run game.
Despite giving up just one run, Puckett became the second straight Stingers starter to not receive any run support, as the offense was shut out for the second straight game — the first time that has happened this season. Puckett walked a season-high five batters but also fanned five and did not allow any of the men he walked to come around to score. In total, Puckett stranded six runners on base, including two apiece in the second and fifth innings.
The best scoring chance Willmar got all night was in the fifth inning when the Stingers put runners on the corners with just one out. Trailing by just one at the time, the Stingers got a leadoff single by Matt Stubbs who advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Max Waletich. Brian Pruett followed with a single of his own, but the final two batters in the inning struck out to strand the pair on base.
Mankato tacked on one run in the seventh and two in the eighth for the final margin of victory.
The 2014 season is presented by Charter. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune's website at www.wctrib.com.
Tonight’s Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was AJ Puckett. CDI is your local medical imaging provider. It’s your choice where you go for medical imaging, for MRI, CT, mammograms and pain injections, choose CDI. Visit online at myCDI.com/CentralMN.
