KELOWNA, B.C. -- At long last, the Yakima Valley Pippins have suffered a loss, falling 6-5 Thursday night in Kelowna.
It was an uncharacteristic defensive struggle for the Pippins (5-1), who let three of Kelowna’s six runs score unearned by way of three errors. The Falcons (3-3) took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and bounced back after falling behind 3-2 in the fourth to take a 4-3 lead after five innings.
Down the stretch, both sides got locked in an exchange of runs, with each team scoring alternating runs from the bottom of the sixth to the top of the eighth. Yakima Valley had the tying run at third base with two outs in the eighth, but couldn’t bring the run in and went down in order in the ninth.
Ty Earley had a pair of RBI singles in the losing effort. Despite the defensive struggles, Kelly Fitzpatrick pitched well in his first start of the summer for the Pippins. He lasted 5 innings, giving up 7 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
The Pippins have a day off Friday, before looking to bounce back Saturday at 7:05 p.m. against the Walla Walla Sweets.
Tickets are available at PippinsBaseball.com, by calling (509) 575-HITS or by visiting the Pippins’ downtown office at 12 S. Second St. in the Larson Building.

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