Promising start ends in 7-1 loss

MANKATO - The night started out promising as T.J. Berge singled in Stephen Wickens from second in the first inning.

But the Lunkers couldn't hold on to the early lead, falling 7-1 to the Mankato Moon Dogs Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park.

Following two walks and a pair of singles, the Moon Dogs claimed a lead they would not relinquish. Mankato put up four runs in the third, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh.

Zach Kenyon surrendered four runs on five hits through five innings of work and suffered his fourth loss of the season.

The Lunkers return Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato at 7:05 p.m. Thursday for Game Two against the Moon Dogs.

Brainerd 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 9 1

Mankato 0 0 4 0 0 1 2 0 0 - 7 8 2

Brainerd: Zach Kenyon, Joey Van Cleave

Mankato: James Wise

WP: Wise. LP: Kenyon.

2B: Brd-Stephen Wickens, Man-Brian Haar

SB: Man-Cody Fick

RBIs: Brd-T.J. Berge, Man-AJ Pettersen, Ryan Durant, Brian Haar, Taylor Black

DP: Brd 4, Man 2

LOB: Brd 6, Man 8

T: 2:32

A: 919

Records: Brd 15-17, Man 23-9

Next: Brainerd at Mankato 7:05 p.m. Thursday.