Mankato doubles up on Thunder

As quickly as the Brainerd Blue Thunder's two-game winning streak started, it ended as the Mankato Moondogs downed the Blue Thunder 6-3 at Mills Field Sunday.

The Blue Thunder held a 3-0 lead through the first four innings before the Moondogs struck for two runs in the fifth, one in the seventh and three in the eighth for the winning margin.

Ryan Royster ripped an two-run triple in the third for Brainerd and leadoff hitter Andy Dirks added two hits, as did catcher Andrew Pascoe. Shortstop Adam Symons added an RBI in the fourth.

Brainerd and the Moondogs will meet again at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Mills Field.

Mankato 000 020 130 - 6 10 3

Brainerd 002 100 000 - 3 8 2

Mankato: Jordan Tiegs, Tom Porter (8), Blake Devries (9) and Mike Melillo. Brainerd: William Blackmon, Evans (6), Tyler Brandon (9) and Andrew Pascoe. W: Tiegs (1-5). L: Evans (0-1). Sv: Devries (4).

2B: M-Mike Lobacz, James Keithley, Melillo. 3B: M-Bobby Munoz; Brd-Ryan Royster. SB: M-Jovan Rodriguez. Sac: M-Sean Nicol. RBI: M-Munoz 2, Keithley, Melillo, Rodriguez; Brd-Royster 2, Adam Symons. LOB: Man 7, Brd 8. DP: Man 1, Brd 3. Time: 2:06. Attendance: 325.

Overall: Brd 5-12, Man 7-10. Next: Brd hosts Mankato 7:05 p.m. Monday at Mills Field.

Saturday's game

Although the Blue Thunder's Andy Dirks was 0-1 at the plate, the outfielder still had a huge impact on the game as he stole two bases and walked five times. Dirks' last walk came with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth to plate the winning run in an 9-8 victory over the Wisconsin Woodchucks at Mills Field Saturday.

The win gives Brainerd its second consecutive victory after losing 10 straight.

Tyler Metcalf and Andrew Pascoe each had two hits and drove in two runs apiece for the Blue Thunder. Adam Symons also drove in a pair of runs as the Blue Thunder withstood a seven-run second inning by the Woodchucks.

Wisconsin 070 100 000 - 8 10 5

Brainerd 311 011 002 - 9 7 1

Wisconsin: Zak Moore, Blake Martin (4), Chad Pierce (7), Mat Galens (8), Kevin Duke (9). Brainerd: Brandon Roberts, Eric Anderson (2), Mike Germain (7), Alex Guttosch (8). W: Guttosch (1-0). L: Galens (1-1).

2B: W-Justin Potes. SB: W-Brandon Frazier; Brd-Andy Dirks 2, David Wilson. Sac: W-Steve Gerstenberger; Brd-Ryan Royster, Adam Symons 2. RBI: W-Frazier, Gerstenberger, Darin Ruf, Potes 4, Matt Willard; Brd-Dirks, Xavier Scruggs, Tyler Metcalf 2, Symons 2, Andrew Pascoe 2, Clay Cuno. LOB: Wis. 9, Brd 12. DP: Wis. 1, Brd 1. Time: 3:31. Attendance: 339.