The late-season tailspin continued for the Waterloo Bucks at Riverfront Stadium Friday night (Aug. 5, 2016).

The locals were swept in a doubleheader by the playoff-bound Eau Claire Express, who rallied for a 12-5 victory in game one and won the night 4-1. The Bucks have now lost a season-high seven-straight games.

Read the game summaries below.

The Bucks and Eau Claire were forced to play the doubleheader when rain postponed a scheduled Thursday night game in Waterloo.

UP NEXT: The Bucks and Express continue their four-game series at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wis., Saturday night (Aug. 6).​


GAME 1:

Waterloo (9-20, 31-33) jumped on the first-half North Division champions early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The first five Bucks' hitters reached base.

Alex Boxwell led-off the frame with an infield and Zach Weatherford reached on the first of three errors by the Express. Lane Milligan loaded the bases with a single to center, then Adam McGinnis drove-in two runs with an single to right field. A throwing error by Jon Roblez on a potential double play allowed Milligan to score from third and allowed Robert Neustrom to reach base. Zach Fricke then reached on a fielder’s choice, however, the third and final error of the inning by Eau Claire brought home McGinnis from second.

Eau Claire (16-12, 41-23) countered with a four-spot in the top of the second to tie the game at 4-4. The Express built their lead to 10-4 with a six-run fourth inning.

The Bucks answered with a two-out run in the bottom of the frame. Fricke and Justin Beck each singled before a fielder’s choice advanced both runners. Two batters later, Weatherford brought in Fricke with an RBI infield single.

Eau Claire scored the game’s final two runs in the fifth, setting the final at 12-5.

Bryce Reichmann (2-2) was charged with the loss for the Bucks. The southpaw allowed seven runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out two in 3 1/3 innings.

GAME 2:

The Express built a 4-0 lead on Waterloo, scoring a pair of runs each in third and fourh innings. On the mound, Eau Claire starter Jameson Lavery (2-1) flirted with a no-hitter.

McGinnis ended Lavery's bid for immortality in a big way in bottom of the fourth inning. He crushed a home run to center field, his team-leading 11th of the season. The solo shot was just one of two hits for the Bucks in the nightcap.

Kyle Leahy (1-1) dropped his first game in his second start with Waterloo. The right-hander went the distance (seven innings), allowing four runs on nine hits while walking and striking out a pair.

Jameson Lavery (2-1) recorded the win in game two. The right-hander allowed just one run on two hits, walking three and striking out three in five innings. Christian Tripp (9) secured the win with a perfect seventh inning, which included a pair of strikeouts.

Game Summaries By: Jared Schlensky - Waterloo Bucks

 

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