Rockets drop third straight

FORT WAYNE — The Rockets nabbed a two-run lead in the fourth inning.

Three consecutive runs led to their third consecutive loss.

A broken-bat single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed the eventual game-winning run to score as the Portland Rockets lost to the Northeast Kekionga on Wednesday at Indiana Tech.

It was the third straight loss for the Rockets, who dip to 8-7 on the year and have their second three-game losing streak of the season. Portland was swept in a doubleheader Sunday against the host Hammond Lakers.

An RBI single by Tristen Becker and a TJ Lindstrand sacrifice fly in the fourth inning scored Dustin Lewis and Bill Geeslin respectively to give the Rockets a 2-0 advantage.

Portland just wasn’t able to hang on to the lead.

The Kekionga, Indiana Tech’s summer team, evened the score with one run in the sixth inning and another in the seventh. Portland had a chance to retake the lead an inning later, but left two runners in scoring position.

Lewis — he had half of the Rockets’ four hits — walked to lead off the top of the eighth inning, and Geeslin put down a bunt to give Portland two runners on. Collin Affolder dropped a sacrifice bunt to give the Rockets two in scoring position with one out.

They were left stranded, and Northeast Kekionga took the lead in the home half of the frame.

Chandler Jacks, a 2015 Jay County High School graduate, allowed consecutive singles to begin the eighth inning before his defense recorded a pair of outs. But a blooper to right field plated the decisive run.

Jacks took the loss, tossing 2 1/3 innings of relief. Zach Short started, allowing seven hits and five walks with two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Portland will look to get back in the win column as the road swing continues with a 7 p.m. matchup Friday at Carrington Field against the Fort Wayne Jackers. Garrett Scott is the projected starter.