The Bombers suffered a heartbreaking 6-5 loss Thursday night at the hands of the Eau Claire Express in the ninth inning. It marks the first time in 2011 the Bombers have lost back-to-back games.

The Express battled back twice throughout the course of the game, eventually tying it 5-5 in the eighth inning. Ryan Halstead was brought in for relief in the ninth for Battle Creek, with the bases loaded and just one out. Eau Claire second baseman Justin Viele hit a sacrifice fly into left field, where Daniel Rockett caught it and threw to homeplate where catcher Rhett Goodmiller dropped the ball, allowing Josh Scheffert to score from third base, securing the 6-5 win.

Bobby Buckner and Jimmy Martinez both recorded multi-hit games for Battle Creek, and were the only players to notch RBIs.

Ben Ballentine threw five solid innings in his third start of the season and surrendered just one run, but Kristian Calibuso and Scott Mariner allowed the winning runs to score (the final run was credited to Mariner).

The series concluded tomorrow in another 6:35pm start. Fans can hear the live play-by-play at www.battlecreekbombers.com, with Voice of the Bombers, Greg Talbott, calling the action.