Over the course of 54 games, there are bound to be some tough nights. The Pippins had one Friday, falling 10-6 to the Kelowna Falcons in the series opener.

The Falcons (7-3) wasted no time getting to Pippins starter Jake Bird, scoring four runs in the first and three more in the second to chase Bird after just two innings of work. Alhanon Miller worked a scoreless 3rd inning before running into trouble and giving up three runs in the 4th to make it 10-0 Kelowna.

Mitch Yada was the next man out of the bullpen and was one of the bright spots for the Pippins (8-5) on an otherwise-tough night. Yada threw the final 5 2/3 innings, giving up just 2 hits and 0 runs, while not walking anyone and striking out 6.

Offensively, the Pippins struggled through the first five innings, as Kelowna starter Curtis Taylor allowed just one hit and struck out six hitters in his five innings of work. The Pippins tried to get back in the game in the last few innings against the Falcons’ bullpen, scoring an unearned run in the 7th, three runs in the 8th and two in the 9th, but were in too big a hole to climb out of.

Yakima Valley suffered its second straight loss on Friday. The Pippins have only lost three games in a row once since the franchise began play last season (July 17-19, 2014 vs. Wenatchee) and will look to avoid another three-game skid in game two Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Jesse Houser is scheduled to make his first start of the summer for the Pippins. Tickets are available online at PippinsBaseball.com, on the phone at (509) 575-HITS or in the team office downtown in the Larson Buidling.

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