Fargo, ND – The Jamestown Miller Lite Merchants took a 3-0 lead into the 7^th inning but could not hold on as the bullpen gave up four runs in the 7^th as the Merchants lost 4-3 to the FM Gators at No Name Field on Wednesday night.

Starter Greg Lunski was stellar on the mound for the Merchants as he went six scoreless innings only allowing four hits.

However, in the 7^th, Merchant reliever Zach Noriega allowed the first five Gators to reach base as they evened the score up at three. Brandon Baumgartner relieved Noriega but gave up a sac fly that scored the eventual winning run for the Gators.

The Merchants continued to leave numerous runners on base as they have all year long. The M’s had 16 base runners on Wednesday but were only able to score three of them.

Bryan Erstad, Joe Vannett and Brandon Baumgartner each had two hits for the Merchants; Baumgartner drove in two of the three runs.

As for the birthday boy, J-Rod went 1 for 4 at the plate and was rewarded with the DH spot for the game. J-Rod and the Merchants are now 5-2 lifetime on his birthday.

The Merchants (8-5) take the Fourth of July weekend off and play next Wednesday against the Moorhead Miners.