The Evansville Otters fell behind by eight runs, battled to within one, but came up short in a 13-12 loss to the River City Rascals.
Evansville (39-31) scored seven unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
River City (39-34) used an eight-run fourth inning to spring out to the lead.
The Rascals jumped on the board early in the second inning.
Mike Jurgella scored the first run after two consecutive passed balls advanced him from second to home,
A Clint Freeman RBI groundout scored Braxton Martinez, and a Brandon Thomas RBI double brought in Paul Kronenfeld to make it 3-0.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Otters took the lead thanks to two-run home runs from Jeff Gardner and John Schultz making it 4-3.
Gardner continues to pace the league with 19 home runs this season.
In the bottom of the inning, the Rascals retook the lead on a two-run shot from Mike Jurgella to make it 5-4.
The Otters tied the game in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single from Dane Phillips to bring home Ryan Long.
The River City Rascals answered big.
A sacrifice fly from Thomas brought in Kronenfeld to start the scoring.
A Jason Merjano RBI double then plated Freeman for the second run of the side.
The Rascals leading hitter, Josh Silver, came up with a two-RBI single to score both Morales and Merjano making it 9-5.
Jurgella came up big again for the Rascals with an RBI double to score Silver, and Martinez followed with an RBI single to score Jurgella.
A Kronenfeld RBI double brought home the final run of the fourth inning with Martinez crossing the plate and giving River City a 13-5 advantage.
Evansville got two runs back in the seventh inning as a light rain began at CarShield Field.
An RBI single from Kolten Yamaguchi brought Schultz across the plate.
Chris Riopedre followed suit with an RBI double to score Luke Lowery making It 13-7.
Yamaguchi was thrown out at the plate to end the frame.
In the eighth, the Otters offense exploded.
Zach Welz reached on a throwing error by Johnny Morales that allowed both Ryan Long and Dane Phillips to score.
John Schultz then delivered his second home run of the game, a three run home run to make it 13-12.
Evansville had runners on first and second with two outs, but Lowery was picked off at second to end the threat.
The Otters threatened again in the top of the ninth with Ryan Long reaching first base to start the inning with a hit-by-pitch.
However, an Allen fly out and strikeouts from Phillips and Gardner ended the game.
Trevor Walch struggled in his first start after being signed earlier today.
The veteran went just 3 and 1/3 innings giving up nine runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out just three in a loss.
Blaise Whitman also gave up four runs on four hits while not recording an out before the back end of the bullpen came up big.
Trent Lunsford, Andrew Utterback, and Randy McCurry combined to give up just two hits over the last 4 and 2/3 innings.
Zeb Sneed earned the win for the Rascals and Cody Mincey picked up the save.
Evansville and River City will return to action tomorrow evening at 4:05 p.m. at CarShield Field.
Fans can listen on 91.5 WUEV with Lucas Corley providing play-by-play coverage.
Evansville returns home to Bosse Field on Aug. 8 to open a series against the Florence Freedom, the first game of a six-game homestand.
Tickets for August home games are still available by going to evansvilleotters.com or calling 812-435-8686.
