Zach Ell belted a bases-loaded triple with two outs in the sixth inning to give the visitors the lead. The Monarchs added two more runs in the seventh to cement the victory.
The Bucs jumped to a 2-0 first-inning lead by capitalizing on four walks by Monarch starter Brett Winger, including a bases-loaded walk that scored the game's first run.
The Bucs were up 3-2 when Lake Erie started to get to Bucs starter Bradley Drust. Drust got the first two outs before giving up consecutive singles and a walk to load the bases for Ell, who chased him with the bases-clearing triple.
Logan Davis had a pair of hits for the Bucs, who were otherwise handcuffed at the plate. Winger and two other Monarch pitchers who combined for a four-hitter, with each working three innings.
The Bucs, 1-2 in non-league action, host Lake Erie in the second game of a three-game series tonight at 7 at Mulcahy. The Monarchs are also scheduled to play against three other Alaska Baseball League teams -- three against the Peninsula Oilers, three against the Fairbanks Goldpanners and a single game against the Mat-Su Miners.
The Anchorage Glacier Pilots, whose non-league game against the Mat-Su Miners was rained out Tuesday, travels to Palmer today for a 7 p.m. game with the Miners.
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