An overworked bullpen was the culprit of the Southern Minny Stars Friday night as the Waterloo Bucks railed for two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to win 4-3 in front of 1,707 fans.

Saturday, July 31, 1999

An overworked bullpen was the culprit of the Southern Minny Stars Friday night as the Waterloo Bucks railed for two runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to win 4-3 in front of 1,707 fans. The loss extended the Stars’ losing streak to five.

The Minny Stars tied up the game 2-2 in the eighth and took a one-run lead in the top of the 11th, but Aaron Zehnal (0-5) was unable to protect the lead. Zehnal allowed the first four batters to reach base, giving up two earned runs, two walks and three hits after entering the game in the 10th.

Zehnal relieved starter Sam Smith, who went nine innings striking out six and walking three. Smith gave up 12 hits, but worked effectively enough to allow two earned runs.

Kyle Thomas went 3-for-5 with a run scored for the Stars. Joe Albano, Rob Douglas and Joe Rockers each had two hits. Albano and Tommy Maestas both had RBI singles for the Stars.

Clint Barnes hit his ninth homer of the year for the Bucks. He also stole his 26th base of the year – one of the Bucks’ six bases. Dan Dement and Lance Wampler both had three hits for the Bucks.

The Stars had 12 hits and left 12 runners on base. The Bucks had 15 hits and left 15 runners on base.

Grant Tatum (6-1) picked up the win for the South Division leading Bucks, who are second in Northwoods League attendance behind in the North Division leading St. Cloud River Bats. Waterloo has drawn 34,903 in 24 home games while St. Cloud has had 43,018 in 28 home games. The Southern Minny Stars are fifth in attendance in the eight-team league, with 9,159 in 22 home dates going into Saturday night’s game against the Bucks at Marcusen Park.