Blue Anchors Top Mankato 10-5

July 16, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors used a big eighth-inning rally to top the Mankato MoonDogs 10-5 at Knute Nelson Memorial Park on Monday night.

The MoonDogs were first on the board against the Blue Anchors' All-Star pitcher Chase Rihtarchik in the third. Hibraim Cordova started the inning with a solo homer to right field giving Mankato a 1-0 lead. After a strikeout, John Michael Twitchell drew a walk and went to second on a passed ball and advanced third on a wild pitch. Then a two-out base hit by Jonathan Rodriguez scored Twichell putting the MoonDogs up 2-0.

In the fourth, Mankato added on. Quinnton Mack was hit by a pitch to start the inning and stole second base. A groundout by Woody Woodward moved Mack to third and another passed ball brought home Mack to extend the MoonDogs lead to 3-0.

Alexandria got on the board against Brock Dykxhoorn in the bottom of the fourth inning. Andrew Sohn hit a one-out double and stole third base. Tim Cusick drew a walk to put runners on the corners for Michael Barash. On a 2-2 pitch, Barash lifted a sacrifice fly to right field cutting the Blue Anchors' deficit to 3-1.

The offense came up clutch in the bottom of the fifth. Keegan Dale didn't wait long to get things started as he hit a solo home run to left-center helping Alexandria inch closer. Georgie Salem walked with two outs and and went to second on a Dykxhoorn wild pitch. Kris Goodman then singled home Salem to knot the score at three.

The Blue Anchors finally took the lead in the seventh against the MoonDog bullpen. Salem doubled to get the rally started a went to third on a wild pitch while Goodman walked. A balk scored Salem and moved Goodman to second while the Anchors grabbed a 4-3 lead. Goodman went to third on a Sohn groundout and after a pitching change, Goodman extended Alexandria's lead to 5-3.

Andy Johnson entered in the top of the eighth and walked Rodriguez to start the inning. A double by Josh Fuentes put the tying run in scoring position. Mack grounded out to short to plate Rodriguez and make the score 5-4 in the Anchors' favor. A single by Woodward tied the score again, this time at five, when Fuentes came around to score.

The game was broken open in eighth against Bryan Bonnell. Ryan Blanchard doubled to get things started and went to third on a Dale single. A wild pitch moved both runners up a base and Blanchard's run gave the Anchors a 6-5 lead. Andrew Mulato walked with one out and an error off the bat of Georgie Salem scored both Dale and Mulato making the score 8-5. Goodman singled again to score Salem and give Alexandria a four-run lead. After the bases became loaded, Barash walked to score Goodman and increase the lead to 10-5.

Rihtarchik lasted four innings and gave up three runs on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts. Kevin Hatcher gave the team a chance to win as he pitched three scoreless innings of relief allowing just a hit and a walk with one punch out. Despite blowing the save, Johnson (1-2) got the win pitching one inning allowing two runs on two hits and a walk with a strikeout. Jose Cardona finished the game pitched a scoreless ninth allowing two walks and a hit.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Kris Goodman (RF/3B) - In five trips to the plate, the Hawkeye had two hits and scored twice with two runs batted in. He added a walk as well and saw his season average rise to .320.

Notes: The four walks and four innings pitched all tie a season-worst for Rihtarchik in any of his starts this year...The win for Johnson is his first of the 2013 season...Dale now has a five-game hitting streak...In tonight's game, Cusick had two free passes and Mulato had one which ties them for the team lead at 23 a piece...The Blue Anchors and MoonDogs tied the season series at four wins each...The Blue Anchors continue the home stand with three games against the Thunder Bay Border Cats at Knute Nelson Memorial Park...Tuesday's game is Bark in the Park presented by Lea's Pet Products and all dogs get into the game free...On the mound is Spencer Koopmans (1-1, 3.68) is on the bump for game one of the series...For those who can't make it to the Shipyard, the game can be seen, starting at 7:05 p.m., at www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.



Northwoods League Stories from July 16, 2013


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