GREEN BAY — The Madison Mallards finished the first half of the Northwoods League season with what has become a familiar performance:

Enough offense to be in a game, only to have errors in the field lead to unearned runs and a loss.

The Green Bay Bullfrogs scored four unearned runs in the first inning to take  control and went on to an 8-3 victory over the Mallards on Thursday night in front of 1,320 fans at Joannes Stadium.

Madison lost for the ninth time in 12 games, and finished the first half 19-15 — four games behind the champion Eau Claire Express (21-9) in fourth place.

Only three of the eight runs against Mallards pitchers were earned, thanks to three errors. First baseman Troy Channing hit a solo homer in the third and third baseman Jacob Esch had a two-run double in the sixth for Madison.