The Lake Erie Crushers (39-31) came out firing, but couldn't hang on to the lead, ending up on the losing side of a 3-2 ballgame against the Florence Freedom (39-32) on Wednesday at UCMC Stadium.

An RBI single by Bobby Joe Tannehill gave the Florence Freedom the lead in the seventh inning.

Jacob Tanis had a hot bat for the Florence Freedom. Tanis went 1-3, drove in one and scored one run. He homered in the seventh inning.

Dave Middendorf was effective even in defeat, mowing down five the Florence Freedom batters and allowing three runs.

Daniel DeSimone got the win, running his season record to 8-3. DeSimone struck out none, walked one and gave up no hits.

Middendorf ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his sixth loss of the year.