Brett Solano and Brandon Downey combined for a three-hit shutout as the Waterloo Bucks blanked Rochester, 2-0, at Riverfront Stadium Tuesday night (June 7, 2016).

With the win, Waterloo completed a sweep of its two-game, home-and-home series with the Honkers. The victory also moved the Bucks into first-place by a half-game in the Northwoods League's North Division race.

Solano (1-0) tossed a season-high eight scoreless innings in his second start of the season, yielding just three hits while striking out a season-best seven on just 73 pitches, 52 of which were strikes. Downey (3) recorded his league-leading third save of the season with a perfect top of the ninth inning. Downey has now retired 23 of the 26 hitters he’s faced so far and has yet to allow a run in seven straight innings.

The win also gives the Bucks an early 2-0 advantage in the Scheels Highway 63 Cup Series.

Tyler Curtis paced Waterloo's offense with two hits, while Jake Hand extended his team-best on-base streak to eight with a walk in the second inning.

The Bucks (6-2) jumped out in front for the fifth time this season with a run in the first. Daniel Perry drew a one-out walk before stealing second, his first stolen base of the season. Curtis then followed with an RBI single to right, putting the Bucks up 1-0.

Waterloo scored its other run in the sixth. Robert Neustrom reached on an infield single with two outs before Adam McGinnis brought him in with an RBI double off the left field fence.

Right-hander Isaac Friesen (0-1) was charged with the loss in his Rochester (2-5) debut. Friesen yielded one run on a pair of hits, walking four and striking out one over five innings.

The Bucks resume their three-game home stand on Wednesday (June 8) in the series opener against the Duluth Huskies. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m.

It’s a Post-Game Fireworks Extravaganza and Back to the Future Night at Riverfront Stadium. The first 500 fans receive a free Back to the Future poster, courtesy of Chick-fil-A, Flashing Thunder Fireworks and JLL Extended Stay Inn. Also, fans with a "My Waterloo Days" button can get $1-off the price of admission as the Bucks' game kicks-off the 35th annual celebration.

Story By: Jared Schlensky - Waterloo Bucks​

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