The Falcons fell in a slugfest in Edmonton on Sunday and head home to Elks Stadium the victims of a sweep at the hands of the Riverhawks, falling 12-9.

The visitors looked good early scoring a pair of runs in the top of first inning when Josh Cunnigan smoked a double to centerfield to score Xander Sielken and Nolan Eberwein who had reached base with singles to lead off the game. The lead however didn’t last long.

In the home half of the inning the Riverhawks batted around the order and scored six runs, five of them were unearned on four hits off starter Keller Bloodworth who lasted 0.2 innings.

Despite that the Falcons didn’t roll over. In the top of the third they cut to the lead to one by scoring three times. After Sielken doubled to lead off the inning, Finley Buckner brought him home on a single to leftfield. He then stole second to move into scoring position for Ashton Graff-Rowe who delivered an RBI single. Two batters later he also scored on an RBI hit from Cade Burnham.

Unfortunately, the Riverhawks got those three runs back in the home half of the fourth inning to extend their lead back to four.

Again, the Falcons offence came alive in the fifth inning with another three runs cutting the lead to one. With the bases loaded Boogie McNeal grounded out forcing home Buckner with the first run. On the next pitch Graff-Rowe would score on a wild pitch. Eberwein was up next with Jadin Moreno standing at third and promptly singled to bring him to the plate.

In the top of the sixth the Falcons would tie the ballgame, showing incredible character in battling back. Sielken singled to lead off the inning then advanced to third on a ground out and Buckner base knock. Graff-Rowe came up with a timely single to score Sielken, tying the game, shocking the crowd in Edmonton.

Despite the big comeback, the Falcons bullpen didn’t have their best stuff on Sunday and allowed three runs in the seventh and eighth, retaking the lead for good and handing the Falcons their fourth straight loss.

The teams combined for an eye-popping 30 hits recording 15 a piece.

Tuesday night the Falcons finally return home to open a three-game series with the Wenatchee Applesox at 6:35pm.

Photo courtesy of the Edmonton Riverhawks