The St. Joseph Mustangs have dropped consecutive games for the first time this season, falling 17-7 in Jefferson City Sunday night. The Renegades scored 13 runs in their final four offensive half-innings, securing a run-rule victory in the eighth. With the high-scoring loss, St. Joe’s record has dipped to 6-4 overall and 5-4 within the M.I.N.K. League.
Both teams traded runs early on in the game. St. Joe struck first on a second-inning sacrifice fly by right fielder Will Dryburgh. But Jefferson City did the Mustangs one better, taking the lead on a two-run home run.
In the third, designated hitter Mason Holton became the first 2023 Mustang to reach 10 RBI, inciting another lead change with a two-run double. And yet, Jefferson City answered back again with two runs, taking a 4-3 lead on three consecutive walks.
Mustangs starting pitcher Andrew Clark pressed on into the fifth, where he would run out of steam. The Renegades scored four more runs, building up a five-run lead. Clark ended the night with four hits, eight earned runs, six walks and three strikeouts in 4 ⅔ innings.
Behind by five runs, St. Joe remained clearly visible in the Renegades’ rearview mirror. Left fielder Easton Bruce slugged a three-run home run in the sixth, trimming the Mustangs’ deficit to 8-6. With the long ball - his third of the summer - Bruce surpassed Holton with 11 RBI on the year,
However, Jefferson City immediately responded once again. Working against right-hander Jaren Guck, the Renegades tallied four runs again. Through six innings, Jefferson City held a 12-6 advantage.
Though right-hander Jack Wells struck out the side in the seventh and first baseman Ike Book narrowed the gap to five with his eighth-inning double, Jefferson City shot down any hopes of a Mustang comeback. With a five-run frame, the Renegades finalized the game in eight innings.
The Mustangs will finish their road trip with a two-game series in Clarinda, Iowa. Monday’s game against the A’s will begin at 7 p.m.
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