Unfocused Challengers lose Series opener 12-3

Starter Thomas Landis just doesn't seem to get the offensive run support when he is pitching.

	Thomas Landis was given the loss after having given up seven runs in 6 2-3 innings.

Poor offense combined with a season-high nine errors, the Challengers lost Game 1 of this year's Swiss Finals 12-3 to the Therwil Flyers.

The Challengers weren't able to solve starter Alain Kurz, much less reliever Jacob Clinton.

Kurz went 5 2-3 innings, giving up only three runs on three hits and three walks while also striking out eight.

Clinton then took over and allowed just a double and a single over the final 3 1-3 innings, getting credits for a save.

Reto Siegel led off the game with a solo homer off Landis that just barely cleared the center field fence.

Landis settled down after that and allowed no more runners to score in the first two innings.

The Challengers tied it up at 1-1 on a bases-loaded walk to Patrick Zöllig.

But two errors and two hits led to three unearned runs for the Flyers in the top of the third inning.

In the fifth inning, the Flyers extended their lead to 5-1 on first baseman Jose Valdez' fielding error with two outs.

Thanks to a wild pitch and and RBI-single by Kurt Kovac, the Challengers came within 5-3 before Kurz was relieved by Clinton.

	Manny Marchant had one of just two extra-base hits for the Challengers.

He was greeted by Chris Palatinus' double, but that was the only baserunner that reached second base off him.

He retired the next six batters before Roger Brunner managed to single off him with two outs in the eighth inning.

But in the meantime, his offense pulled away and gave him an 8-3 lead off reliever Manny Marchant.

The Flyers then made the defeat felt badly by scoring four more times in the top of the ninth inning.

Four hits and two walks led to the final score of 12-3 in favor of the Flyers.

Game notes
Marchant last allowed an earned run on August 3. He hasn't allowed two earned runs in a game since May 11 against the Sissach Frogs. ...Palatinus' strikeout in the second inning was his 100th of his NLA-career in 638 at-bats.