WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The Sweets made it interesting with a three-run bottom of the eighth, but seven runs in the middle innings were too much for the Sweets to overcome as they fell to the Bend Elks 7-5.

Down 7-2, JJ Moran got the bottom of the eighth started with a triple bouncing off the Walla Walla Toyota sign in left centerfield. Moran’s blast was just inches away from leaving the yard for the first homer of the year for the Sweets but was kept in by the wall. It was the first triple of the year for Moran. Stevie Hom brought him home with an RBI single in the next at bat. It is the fourth game in a row with a hit for Hom, tying him for the longest hit streak on the team this year.

Kolby Felix then stepped up and he launched a ball towards the part of the ballpark and got a few extra feet, finally getting the first dinger of the year for the Walla Walla Sweets. The two-run blast brought the Sweets within two of the Elks and breathed some life into the team and fans at Borleske Stadium.

The comeback ended there however as Bend went to the bullpen and retired the next six batters in order to win the game 7-5.

Walla Walla scored first in the game, bringing home two runs in the first inning off a two RBI double from Andrew Graham. It was the first time in the lineup for Graham since June 9 and he continued his hit streak to a now season-high four games.

Bend scored all there runs in the middle innings. They took the lead with three runs in the third, and then added to the lead with two in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the sixth.

On the defensive side, the Sweets did not give up an error for the first time in almost two weeks, ending a 10-game stretch with at least one error committed.

With the loss, the Sweets fall to 4-11 on the year. Combined with a Ridgefield Raptors win, the Sweets are now back in last place in the South Division.

The Sweets are back at Borleske Stadium Wednesday for game two with the Bend Elks. First pitch is set for 6:35. Coverage of the game can be found on the Sweets’ YouTube channel.