Maybe this was the kind of inning the Lancaster Barnstormers needed.

They really didn't do much.

There were a couple of seeing-eye singles, a couple of sacrifice flies and a couple of poor defensive plays by the opponent.

It added up to four pivotal runs in the Barnstormers' 8-6 win over Bridgeport at Clipper Magazine Stadium Wednesday night.

When you're struggling to score, and struggling to win, you'll take all the breaks you can get.

"Pitching and defense usually wins you games," manager Frank Klebe said. "But we got the key hits that we've been looking for. Hopefully, we can keep building on that."

An unconventional fifth-inning rally helped the Barnstormers build a 6-3 lead. They extended the lead to 8-3 in the sixth and then held on for dear life.

The fifth inning brought the kind of situational hitting the defending Atlantic League champs have lacked for most of the season.

Jutt Hileman and Danny Gonzalez grounded RBI singles through the infield with runners in scoring position. Steve Van Note and Lance Burkhart lofted routine fly balls to center that were good enough to bring runners home.

Along the way, the Barnstormers benefited from Bridgeport left fielder Bobby Malek misplaying Bo Hart's deep fly ball into a double and third baseman Jay Caligiuri's throwing error on Quincy Foster's sacrifice bunt.

None of this was flashy, but it was effective.

"The ball had eyes tonight," Klebe said. "Sometimes you need that. It's just getting the hits at the right time."

It was an all-around sloppy game that lasted three hours and 31 minutes.

The Bluefish committed three errors and issued eight walks. The Barnstormers also walked eight and hit two batters.

The pitchers won't be using this one for their personal highlight reels.

"It was just one of those nights, I think," Barnstormers starter Brett Evert said.

"There are good hitters here. When you have good hitters in lineups, you're careful. Sometimes they get away from you and sometimes you're better off walking a guy in a situation."

Evert battled through five trying innings. The righthander allowed three earned runs as he improved to 2-2.

It wasn't all good news for Evert. He left in the sixth inning with a muscle spasm in his back.

"It was just a cramp," said Evert, who doesn't expect to miss his next start. "There was no pain involved. I just wasn't able to finish pitches and I wasn't throwing strikes. It didn't hurt. It was more restricting."

Sprinkled in amongst the flood of runs and walks was one impressive performance.

Eric Ackerman delivered again.

For the second game in a row, the Barnstormers used their versatile lefty as a closer. Ackerman went two scoreless innings and preserved the Barnstormers' 8-6 advantage.

Ackerman does just about everything for Lancaster's bullpen. He has been used for four innings in one outing and he's been used as a short man.

"I'll do whatever they ask," Ackerman said.

"He's one of those guys who can bounce back quick," Klebe said. "He's got good arm strength. I think he's starting to trust his stuff. Every year you learn a little more about yourself and build some confidence."

Before the game, Klebe expressed reluctance to use Ackerman at all because of his heavy workload to this point. But when it came time to close the door, Ackerman was the guy Klebe chose.

In his second season in the Atlantic League, Ackerman has become a standout pitcher. The Cocalico grad has a 3.66 ERA in a whopping 19 ²⁄³ innings of relief.

"I'm still learning," Ackerman said. "I'm somewhat young. I feel like I get better every year. That's one of my goals, to improve every year. I'd like to think I'm a better pitcher than last year. I don't want to take a step back."

Ackerman brought some much-needed sanity to the proceedings, retiring six of the seven batters he faced.

The Barnstormers improved to 9-16 and won back-to-back games for the first time since May 9 and 10.

It wasn't pretty and it took them a while, but Lancaster finally has a winning streak.

INSIDE THE BARN: Steve Van Note extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the fourth. He's 13-for-28 during that stretch.

The Barnstormers continue their three-games series against Bridgeport tonight at 7:05 p.m. Rob Henkel, who is 2-3 with a 6.46 ERA, starts for Lancaster. Mike Porzio (3-1, 3.10 ERA) starts for the Bluefish.

CONTACT US: jguarente@LNPnews.com or 291-8777