Challengers win 13-11 in final inning after blowing six-run lead

The Challengers surrendered an 11-5 lead in the sixth inning before scoring twice in the final inning to defeat the defending champions Bern Cardinals 13-11 in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader at the Allmend.

	Rookie Chris Hardy slaps a double in his first NLA at-bat.

Chris Palatinus worked the count full before drawing a walk to lead off the seventh inning, and Nick Lehmann sacrificed him to second base with a two-strike bunt back to the pitcher. Thomas Landis plated Palatinus with a double into the gap in left center-field, and he also went on to score as third baseman Benny Lehmann threw away Harry Bregy's bunted ball.

Reliever Manny Marchant picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 1 2-3 innings in which he gave up only a single to the six batters he faced.

The Challengers built up an early 7-3 lead after just two innings mainly thanks to Jose Valdez' two homers. It were Valdez' league-leading fourth and fifth homers of the season.

	Thomas Landis is 8-0 with seven complete games in eight starts against the Cards over the last six seasons.

Starter Landis allowed just five runs - two of them unearned - through the first five innings.

After his offense provided him with an 11-5 lead in the top of the sixth inning, he started to wear down.

Five of the first six batters reached base to lead off the inning, and Marte's grand slam cleared the bases and chased Landis.

Marchant (4-0) took over and quickly retired the first batter he faced.

Negro singled and stole second base, but Marchant induced Marco Haas to hit into an inning-ending ground out to end the threat.

	Cleanup hitter Marte hit a grand slam homer in the sixth inning off Landis to knot the score at 11-11.

In the final inning, Marchant retired the side in order on a ground out and two called third strikes on Severin Fries and Sammet.

Game notes
Landis completed his 700th inning pitched as he got Curtis Volk to ground out back to the mound in the fourth inning. ...It was Valdez' 13th multi-homer game of his career with the Challengers. He last did it on Aug. 19, 2001 against the Embrach Rainbows. ...Volk was scheduled to start Game 2 of the doubleheader, but he twisted his foot wihle rounding third base in the sixth inning.