The Lancaster Barnstormers have not been very hospitable to their guests in the season's second half.

The Barnstormers beat the Newark Bears in a 9-7 slugfest on Wednesday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium. The win gives the Barnstormers a 9-1 record at home since the all-star break.

It was the Barnstormers' third victory in row in the four-game series that wraps up tonight. And it was their seventh straight win against the Bears. The win kept the Barnstormers (11-7) a half-game ahead of the York Revolution (11-8) in the Freedom Division.

For the third straight night Lancaster pounded the Bears pitching staff. The Barnstormers hit four home runs and totaled 13 hits.

Michael Woods, Adam Witter, Jason Perry hit solo homers for the Barnstormers, while Reggie Taylor added a two-run blast.

Jason Perry, who has been in a slump recently, led off the fifth inning with a home run. He also scored a run in the sixth when he and Aaron Herr hit back-to-back doubles.

"I had probably one of my worst months I've ever played," Perry said of his recent struggles at the plate. "But the second half our team's winning and it's not about me. It's about winning ballgames. So I just go out there and grind and do what I can."

Perry's homer, his 17th, was his first since June 27. But despite that drought, he still leads the Atlantic League in home runs. But it was Perry's glove that may have played the biggest part in the game.

Lancaster starter Jason Simontacchi (4-5) entered the seventh inning with a 9-3 lead and got the first two outs. After Pablo Ozuna singled, Elijah Dukes, Daryle Ward and Carl Everett (all ex-big leaguers) hit consecutive homers to make it 9-7.

"He was getting those guys out early on off-speed pitches and that's what they hit out," Lancaster manager Tom Herr said. "But you have to give them credit sometime. I was pleased with Simo's effort. He pitched good enough to win; that's all you can ask."

Simontacchi (also an ex-major leaguer) was replaced by Austin Hinkle. A walk sandwiched between two singles loaded the bases.

After taking a ball, Randy Gress hit a line drive to right field and Perry came in to make a sliding catch. The play saved the win for Simontacchi (4-5) and the Barnstormers.

"I broke quick and I saw it and I just decided to lay out," Perry said. "Worst case, I knock it down. But I was able to catch it and get us out of the inning."

"I told him I only wanted one out from you," Tom Herr joked of Hinkle. "It just took a little longer to get it."

Tim Hamulack pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save of the season. "That's the way to do it in the ninth inning," Herr said. "That keeps the manager's heart beat from going up. It's nice to have a closer like that. He throws quality strikes. He gives up hits here and there, but you don't have to make three great plays in the ninth to get the win."

Note: Witter, who played first and moved behind the plate when Jed Morris left after getting hit on the foot by a pitch, was playing his first game since June 24.

bwilson@lnpnews.com