Ninth-inning woes doom Lunkers

ALEXANDRIA - Trevor Edwards' single in the bottom of the ninth drove in two unearned runs for the Alexandria Beetles and they upended the Lunkers 5-4 Thursday.

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The Lunkers took an early lead, scoring one run in the first and two more in the second before Lunkers starting pitcher Brian Garman surrendered a three-run home run in the fourth.

T.J. Berge collected a two-out single in the seventh inning that scored Stephen Wickens to put the Lunkers back on top. But the Lunkers failed to capitalize in the top of the ninth when Nate Hammes was thrown out at home to end the inning.

Hammes finished 2-for-3 with a single, a double, a walk and a run while Will Piwnica finished with a double for the Lunkers. Garman allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out nine through seven innings of work.

Brainerd 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 4 7 2

Alexandria 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 2 - 5 9 1

Brainerd: Brian Garman, Mike Frongello, Drew Smith

Alexandria: Erik Johnson, Chase Porch

WP: Chase Porch. LP: Drew Smith.

2B: Brd-Will Piwnica-Worms, Nate Hammes

HR: Tyler Mills (Alx)

SB: Stephen Wickens (Brd), Harry Austin (Alx)

SF: Stephen Wickens

RBIs: Brd-Stephen Wickens, T.J. Berge, Mike Kvasnicka, Alx-Tyler Mills (3), Trevor Edwards

LOB: Brd 7, Alx 6

T: 2:13

A: 856

Records: Brd 2-4, Alex 4-2

Next: Brainerd hosts Green Bay at Mills Field 7:05 p.m. Friday.