Anchorage Daily News

The Anchorage Glacier Pilots had reason to celebrate the Fourth of July early Tuesday night: They started their first Alaska Baseball League winning streak with a win over the Bucs at Mulcahy Stadium.

The third-place Pilots also jumped ahead of the fifth-place Bucs in the league standings.

Outfielder Joshua Cox gave the Pilots insurance runs in the fifth inning when his double drove in two runs. However, he was nailed at third base trying to stretch it into a triple.

The Bucs had their chance in the top of the eighth with the bases loaded. But Pilots right-handed reliever David Vicini pitched his way out of the jam and earned his second save.

The Bucs and Pilots return to Mulcahy Stadium this evening with a Fourth of July doubleheader. Game 1 (seven innings) begins at 6. Game 2 will be a full nine innings.

The fireworks show begins at midnight. Admission for both games is $6 -- first come, first serve. Pick up free tickets at the nearest NAPA Auto Parts while supplies last.

Panners 7, Oilers 4

Sean Bard smashed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to fuel the Fairbanks Goldpanners over the slumping Peninsula Oilers at Growden Memorial Park.

Panners starter Kevin Camacho improved to 2-0 while Bard finished 3 for 4.

The last-place Oilers have lost eight straight after starting the season 11-0.

ABL STANDINGS

W L Pct. GB Overall

Miners 9 2 .818 -- 11-2

Fire 7 5 .583 2 1/2 9-9

Glacier Pilots 5 6 .455 4 10-8

Goldpanners 4 5 .444 4 10-7

Bucs 5 7 .417 4 1/2 13-7

Oilers 3 8 .250 6 11-8

RESULTS AND SCHEDULE

Tuesday's Results

Pilots 3, Bucs 1

Panners 7, Oilers 4

Today's Games

Bucs at Glacier Pilots (DH), 6 p.m.

Oilers at Miners, 7 p.m.

Goldpanners at AIA, 7 p.m.