For the Austin Blue Sox, it was simply a matter of control and they didn’t have it in a 6-1 loss to the Mankato Twins in Marcusen Park Thursday.

Blue Sox pitcher Cody Meyer allowed just two hits in four and two-thirds of an inning against the hard-hitting Twins, but he walked eight and hit three batters as Mankato took a 6-1 lead after five.

“It’s the perfect example of how throwing strikes makes it an easier game,” Blue Sox manager Jamey Pratt said. “Cody struggled a little tonight.”

Austin (13-15 overall) posted its only run in the bottom of the first when it John Kirby singled in a run with no outs, but the Blue Sox left runners on second and third as the next three hitters were retired in order. Austin struck out 15 times on the night against a few different Mankato pitchers.

You’ve got to put the bat on the ball, but that was some good pitching we saw tonight,” Pratt said.

Austin will have the next three days off, but it will have home Section games against Savage on Monday at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday against the Greyhounds.

Wednesday’s game will be the second annual Bats vs. Cancer night and it will also be Blue Sox fan appreciation night.

Mankato 1 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 — 6 7 2

Blue Sox 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 7 4

Blue Sox pitching: Cody Meyer (L), 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 8 BB, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 K, 3 HBP; Jon Mittag, 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 0 R, 1 K, 2 HBP

Blue Sox hitting: Donte Bledsoe, 1-for-4, R; Brandon Rector, 0-for-1, 2 BBs; John Kirby, 1-for-3, RBI; Kyal Williams, 1-for-4; Mark Harber, 0-for-4; Jamie Adams, 0-for-3; Brady Klingfus, 2-for-4; Preston Higbe, 1-for-4; Chris May, 1-for-2; Mike Tindal, 0-for-1; Quinn Yocom, 0-for-1; Carter Guthmiller, 0-for-1