GREENSBORO -- Greensboro hit three home runs and its pitchers set a season high with 16 strikeouts, but it wasn't enough to beat its nemesis as the Grasshoppers fell 6-5 to the West Virginia Power on Saturday night at NewBridge Bank Park.
Kyle Kaminska, who hadn't allowed an earned run in his past 11 innings, gave up runs in the first four innings, putting Greensboro in an early hole.
After falling behind 3-0, the Hoppers scored in the second inning when Mike Stanton hit a home run that cleared the stadium in left field, the second night in a row he accomplished that feat.
But Kaminska, who went 22 innings without giving up a homer, allowed back-to-back blasts that led off the third inning.
"He's a young kid, and he's all about confidence," said Greensboro manager Edwin Rodriguez. "He lost his confidence right away after those two home runs. You could see it on his face. But then again, he's learning. His two previous outings were strong. It sounds funny, but he throws too many strikes. He's 0-2 in the count, he's got to throw a bad pitch. I think those two home runs were when he was ahead in the count."
Despite trailing by four runs, the Hoppers continued to peck away at the deficit. Matt Dominguez doubled home a run in the third and hit a two-run homer in the fifth.
Greensboro's other home run came from Justin Jacobs, who has had great success this season versus southpaws. He came in with a .438 average against lefties and walked and homered in his two plate appearances versus southpaw Dan Merklinger.
The Hoppers' bullpen extended its streak to 32 consecutive innings without allowing a run. Dan Czyz and Corey Madden combined to strike out nine batters in three innings with Garrett Parcell adding another strikeout in the ninth inning.
Greensboro had an excellent chance to tie the game when it put two runners on with one out in the seventh inning. But Bryan Petersen was thrown out trying to steal third base and Stanton struck out, ending the inning.
"Petersen has been doing that, but he didn't have a good jump," Rodriguez said.
It was the third straight one-run loss for the Hoppers and the seventh game in their last 10 decided by a single run. They are 1-6 in those games.
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