If the Northwoods League playoffs began immediately, the Waterloo Bucks would be the fourth seed in the North Division. But with 23 games left in the regular-season, they have a lot of work to do if they want to be a part of the eight-team field.

The Bucks suffered their seventh setback in the last nine games, falling at Mankato, 3-2, Friday night (July 22, 2016). It marked the second-straight night the MoonDogs rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to record the win.

Waterloo (6-8, 28-21) broke a scoreless tie with a pair of two-out runs in the top of the third inning. Travon Benton led off the frame with a walk and Jake Hand followed with a single. Robert Neustrom then gave the Bucks a 2-0 advantage when his double to right-center field plated both Benton and Hand.

Mankato (9-5, 31-18) tied the game at 2-all with a two-out, two-run double of its own in the fifth inning, then took the lead for good with a two-out run in the sixth.

The Bucks threatened to score in the ninth inning when Alex Boxwell and Benton both walked to reach base, but neither runner was able to score.

Andy Muehlberger (1-2) took the loss for Waterloo on the mound, allowing one run on one hit in 2/3 of an inning of work.

Waterloo was out-hit by Mankato 11-4, and Friday's game marked the first time this season that the Bucks have been part of a game where each team scored all of its runs with two out.

UP NEXT: The Bucks continue their four-game series against Mankato on Saturday (July 23), when the series shifts to Waterloo. First pitch at Riverfront Stadium is scheduled at 7:05 p.m.

Story Contributor: Jared Schlensky - Waterloo Bucks​

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